The courtroom is Lovi Poe’s own runway
After her morning workout, Lovi Poe would usually go straight to the set of her sexy legal drama, “Guilty Pleasure,” still clad, admittedly, in her athleisure outfit.
Sometimes, she would change into something unfussy, like a casual dress. Or anything, really, that she can put together on the fly.
But the minute she steps into the courtroom, dressed in sharp suits and colorful Filipino accessories, is when she stops being herself and transforms into Alexis Miranda—the compassionate, bright-eyed young lawyer she plays in the movie.
“What you wear does have a big impact on your performance as an actress, because it can really change your mood. My outfits here gave me a boost of confidence, a sense of power or authority. Before you know it, you’re already in character,” Poe told Lifestyle.
Some of the ensembles viewers can expect to see onscreen are terno-inspired office wear, puff-sleeved barong, robes with traditional fabric accents, button-downs crafted with Kabankalan weaves and piña abaca, and tops with hand-painted patchwork.
Styling was done by the movie director herself, Connie Macatuno, who happens to be the creative designer of Lokal Home + Art + Fashion, a label known for its use of Filipino weaves.
Poe also wore pieces by other local brands like Niño Franco, Vara and Rhett Eala, accessories by Alchemista, and bags by Zarah Juan.
‘Fashyon’ lawyer
“I usually collaborate with the stylists in my projects. But this time, almost all of the clothes were made and styled by Direk Connie,” said Poe, 33, who first worked with Macatuno in the 2020 film “Malaya.” “I loved my whole look there. I had a fashion hangover after working with her, so I was still dressing like my character weeks after we finished working on the film.”
While most people think of courtrooms and law offices as austere spaces of blacks and grays, that image, Poe observed, is no longer necessarily true. “We have so many lawyers—female lawyers, especially—who are very fashionable. We wanted to emulate that,” she said. “Connie attended hearings and was surprised to see so many lawyers who dress so well and are kikay and fashyon.”
“It was second nature to me to have Alexis wear things that were very Filipino. It helps push our Filipino identity without screaming it,” pointed out the filmmaker-designer, who also dressed other cast members in eye-catching Filipino wear and pieces.
Besides, the movie’s setting and theme are heavy enough. A little splash of color probably wouldn’t hurt. “The courtroom scenes were like fashion shows,” Poe said. “Every time I changed outfits, I was like, ‘Whoa!’”
Social issues
But as important fashion is to Poe, it’s just a part of what she does. Attending fashion weeks or events abroad—which seems to be all the rage among celebrities these days—isn’t really something she’s keen on. “Once in a while, I attend such events. These days, being an influencer is part of what we do. But my path is clear and that’s acting. I want to be on the set,” she said.
After acting, producing films isn’t too far behind. Two years ago, Poe launched her own company, C’est Lovi Productions. She’s in charge of the creative side, which includes coming up with concepts, writing or acquiring scripts, and helping with casting. Her husband, English scientist and movie producer Montgomery Blencowe, handles the administrative work.
“Guilty Pleasure” is the film outfit’s first local project and first collaboration with Regal Entertainment. “I started out with Regal. They jumpstarted my career. They have been supportive of me as an actress, and now, as a producer,” she said.
Written by Noreen Capili and also starring JM de Guzman and Jameson Blake, the film revolves around Alexis, who’s compelled to take in a prominent client accused of rape. But as she works on the high-profile case, past traumas begin to surface. Her principles and ethics are also put into question when sparks fly between her and the opposing counsel.
“I think the movie will spark a conversation. We tackle social issues. We show the normalcy of lawyers’ lives, but also what goes on outside the courtrooms. There are elements of betrayal, revenge. We want to show that, sometimes, it’s the people we trust who end up invading our personal space. We have to set boundaries,” she said of the movie, which is now screening in cinemas.
Second mom
More than its subject matter, “Guilty Pleasure” is made even more meaningful and personal by the fact that it was one of the final three films green-lit by Regal matriarch, “Mother Lily” Monteverde, before she died in August.
It was also the last one Poe shot under the tutelage of her longtime manager, Leo Dominguez, who also died in May.
“This year has been difficult because I lost two people who were instrumental in my life and career. I learned so many things from Mother Lily just by observing her. She would always sing, dance and bring joy to people…I can only hope to have that kind of joy in whatever I do,” she said.
Coincidentally, Dominguez, who discovered Poe when she was just 15, died the day after shooting for “Guilty Pleasure” wrapped up.
“He wasn’t just my manager—he was also my second mom. I greeted him and sent him flowers every Mother’s Day because that’s what he was to me. I lost one of my constants,” she said. “And I still catch myself crying at times. He was one of the kindest people I knew. Para akong napilayan.”
Poe was scheduled to shoot the movie poster that very day. Her eyes swollen shut from crying, she still willed herself to go to the studio and honored her commitment. If there was one person who wouldn’t want her canceling, she said, it would be Dominguez himself.
“My co-workers were just waiting for me to cancel, but I didn’t. Because I knew that he would have wanted me to come,” she said, adding that, thankfully, the makeup artists worked their magic on her face.
“They really took care of me. They massaged my face. Thankfully, the poster turned out fine and I didn’t look like I had just been crying my eyes out,” she said, laughing.
Looking back on her fond moments with Dominguez, the actress couldn’t help but turn wistful.
“He used to pick me up at school or at home and take me to work. He paid for my acting and singing lessons. I was 15, talking to him in a coffee shop in Magallanes. I looked nothing like a future star. But he took a chance on me,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for him.”
