Saturday, July 16, 2011

[Photos] Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle - Promotional Shoot
LOS ANGELES—For Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, one of the rewards of having Sylvia La Torre as a grandmother is that she learned such songs as “Bahay Kubo” and “Sa Kabukiran” from no less than the iconic entertainer herself.

Anna, who appears in the “re-imagining” of the 1980 musical film, “Fame,” is grateful that her first voice lessons were with Sylvia, even if sometimes they had to do it on the phone. For a time, Anna and her parents, Artie Perez (Sylvia’s son) and Evelyn, and two older brothers, Juan Miguel and Antonio, lived in Northern California, while Sylvia was based in Southern California.

In our interview over late lunch, Anna recalled, “When my grandmother visited us, she would play the piano and say, ‘Sing this note.’ She was my babysitter. It was fun. She told me stories of her early days in show business.”

Old movies

Anna has seen some of Sylvia’s old movies and TV shows. She shared our lament that many of the veteran performer’s films and TV appearances have not been preserved, so most of them are gone forever.

Anna, unfortunately, couldn’t attend the premiere of “Fame” last Wednesday because she was filming the second “Camp Rock” TV movie in Toronto. Bummer! We had hoped that she’d be allowed to attend, since the premiere was a significant occasion in her career. “Fame” marks her feature-film debut.

She has two films that are in pre-production. In “A Forgotten Innocence,” adapted by Reno Ursal from his novel and scheduled to be directed by Sinohui Hinojosa, she and Fil-Am actor, Michael Copon, play siblings. “I cried when I read the script,” Anna recalled. She is also reportedly set to do “Bleachers,” a comedy-drama, next year. The singer-actress’ dad is her overall manager, while in the Philippines, she is managed by Girlie Rodis. Excerpts:

How much of an influence is your grandmother in your life?

She’s a very big influence. When I was growing up, I watched her onstage. Sometimes, I’d perform with her. I did musical theater because it felt like being onstage with her.

What was the first song your grandma taught you?

“Bahay Kubo.” I had it on the cassette tape. I knew every word.

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