Via omg.yahoo.com

Rache Weisz (L, AP Photo) and Valerie Birou (R, Contributed photo)

Rachel Weisz is British. Valerie Bariou has French blood. But they share striking similarities.

Both have high cheekbones. Both have an elegance that makes you look not once, but twice. Both started as a model before turning to acting.

No wonder producers of “Bourne Legacy” chose Valerie as stand-in for Rachel in the ongoing shoot of the hit franchise in the Philippines.

“People said that we look alike,” Valerie's text message to Yahoo! Philippines OMG! reads. “The built, the skin tone, etc., are similar.”

This is why she auditioned as a stand-in for Rachel.

“We are not seen on cam. It’s similar to being a double. Basically, I stand for her for lighting and framing,” Valerie explains her work.

And since Rachel and the other stars need full concentration to get into their character, Valerie says that “we don’t want to disturb them as much as possible.”

The Hollywood stars, she observes, are very professional and time conscious. And it’s great to be part of the film.

“I get to see how they work – the Hollywood standards. We talk with the crew about their other experiences in their films like ‘300,’ ‘Titanic,’ ‘Avengers,’ ‘Spiderman,’ etc. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Valerie relates.

Husband Onemig Bondoc is happy for her.

He has thrown in his full support “as long as I always prioritize our family and I update him once in a while during the shoot, ” states Valerie.

The proud wife adds that Onemig guests on radio – via 738 khz AM at 7 a.m. twice a week.

Valerie's acting credits include a role in "The Red Shoes," where she plays Olivia (wife of Marvin's bestfriend). She was also the glam secretary in "I Love You Virus" with Jericho Rosales and Briana Evigan and "Skeika" in Chito Rono's film "Emir."

Read more of this from source @ yahoo.com

Via mb.com.ph
By Neil Ramos

Not a few Pinoys are eager to rub shoulders with Hollywood stars Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz. This is evident in the numerous footage shown in the news with more than a handful kibitzers crashing the set of “Bourne Legacy” in Malate the past couple of days.

But when most were allowed only a glimpse of the celluloid heroes at work, there are a lucky few who were able to actually share a conversation with the duo, this, including, model-TV host Phoemela Barranda and actress Iza Calzado.

Barranda revealed that she was among those invited to have dinner with both Renner and Weisz, which came courtesy of good friend, Cristalle Belo – product development and marketing head of Belo Essentials.

According to Baranda, the dinner was held at Filipino resto, Abe, in consideration to the stars supposedly preferring to taste more of the local cuisine.

Baranda was surprised that both aren’t cutting on their diet, just digging into their rice with gusto. And both, she said, enjoyed most of the food served including “binukadkad na tilapia, adobo and gising-gising.”

Among other things, Renner and Weisz were enthusiastic to know about places that they could visit while they’re in the country, said Barranda.

“Hanggang Feb pa sila rito so gusto nila malaman kung ano pa ang magandang puntahan sa Pilipinas,” Barranda said. “Si Jeremy came from Boracay na and si Rachel naman gusto ding mag-Boracay.”

Both Hollywood stars are enjoying their stay here, added Barranda.

In a separate report on GMA News, Calzado said she was “starstruck” upon meeting Renner and Weisz.

“I was honored to be in their presence. I was just in awe,” she recalled.

Meanwhile, shooting for the international film continues today in Remedios Circle, Malate. The place was cordoned off near dawn with several officers of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed to control anticipated traffic in the area as early as 5 a. m.

Nearby Bocobo Street will be closed to traffic until tomorrow as well, says a GMA report.

Read more @mb.com.ph
Article above belongs to their respective owners.

Rachel Weisz arrived in Manila .(pinoypower.net)

Via pinoypower.net

Rachel Weisz (The Mummy, The Constant Gardener) arrived in Manila last Sunday evening at around 6:30pm.

According to a report by ANC, Rachel Weisz landed on Philippine soil evening of Jan. 8 from Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific Airlines flight CX 903.
The Academy Award-winning British actress is here for the filming of “Bourne Legacy,” the fourth installment to the “Bourne” novels-turned-movie franchise, which is set to begin next week.
Rachel will star opposite Jeremy Renner (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, The Avengers) who is also expected to arrive in Manila soon!

According to MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino, “Bourne Legacy” will be shot in Intramuros, Navotas Fishport, Marikina City Market, San Andres Market, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Ayala Avenue, Nagtahan, Pasay Taft, Jones Bridge and in El Nido, Palawan.

“The Bourne Legacy” also stars Edward Norton (Primal Fear), and under the direction of Michael Clayton based from the best-selling novel by Tony Gilroy to be distributed by UIP-Solar in the Philippines.