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Professionalism.
If
there’s a very important virtue that young artistas of
today continue to learn from 53-year-old director Joel
Lamangan, it’s that “P” word, which seems to elude many
other aspiring actors and a few veterans as well. For
them, it means arriving on the set on time with their
lines already committed to memory.
During
the recent press launch of GMA’s newest prime-time
telenovela, Gilda Olvidado’s Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin
Kita, young actors like JC de Vera, Yasmien Kurdi,
Paolo Contis, Angelica de la Cruz and Marvin Agustin
recounted how the much-awarded director underscored to
them the premium he placed on “P” word.
They
also emphasized they are immensely thankful to direk
Joel because the usual three-days-a-week tapings are
finished on or before the stroke of midnight. The
latest, unfortunately, lasted until
2 am. Thus, everybody labors to come very much well-prepared, or
else they will be the cause of delay.
The new
telenovela is another expanded narrative from a
blockbuster film of the same title. It’s a gripping
story on love and vengeance, set to premiere on March 24
on GMA. It also stars veteran actors Dina Bonnevie,
Tonton Gutierrez, Glydel Mercado, Emilio Garcia, Roi
Vinzon and sexy actress Diana Zubiri. The other young
actors in the cast are Patrick Guzman, LJ Reyes, Jay
Aquitania, Joseph Bitangcol and Jenny Miller.
The
BusinessMirror had a chance to talk to the acclaimed
director of award-winning films like The Flor
Contemplacion Story, Aishite Imasu, Death Row, among
others, and we’ve learned a few relevant tips on
filmmaking, the “P” word and what delights him most at
home.
How many
episodes have you done for the new telenovela?
A lot
already. I think we have four na. Each episode
has three shooting days. We’ve already had 12 taping
days, so....
How do
you prepare physically for the job?
I have a
limit. I work from
9 am until
12
midnight. If there’s still more work, at least until 2
am. I see to it that we don’t greet the sunrise. But in
most cases, I always finish earlier what’s assigned for
a particular day. I always plan ahead what to do during
tapings. I’m always advanced. I do it fast. I always
look for faster approach.
Among
the young actors today, who do you think have the
potential to last long in the business?
Si
Yasmien Kurdi and JC de Vera, malakas sila.
You’d easily know there’s still more in them that can be
developed and explored. Alam mong mayroon pa silang
huhugutin. They’re good. Also Paolo Contis. There’s
no doubt that Paolo is a good actor. That’s what I like
about this soap opera, all the actors know how to act.
What do
you do if you’re not taping a soap or shooting a film?
I have a
lot of activities, because I am the president of
Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng Pelikulang Pilipino. I am
also a member of the board of directors for the
Directors Guild of the Philippines. In between tapings,
I have activities, aside from preparing for the next
shoot.
You miss
doing stage plays?
Of
course, I see to it that I act once a year. I’ve acted
with Dulaang UP and Peta. The last play I did was The
Ice Man Cometh for Dulaang UP last year. I might do one
for Tanghalang Pilipino this September. Probably the one
that Benjie Pimentel wrote, titled Mga Guerrilla sa
Powell Street. It’s about Filipino guerrillas a long
time ago who met up on Powell Street in San Francisco.
They converged to ask for recognition from the American
government.
For the
stamina and as it comes with age, do you have a certain
diet you follow?
I see to
it that I eat healthy food but during tapings and
shootings, I can’t do that because I can’t choose the
food being served. I’m trying hard to follow a healthy
diet.
At this
point in your career as director, do you still have
dream projects?
I have
so many projects I wish to accomplish, like those social
realistic films I used to do, those that depict the
truth in a particular time, like what’s happening now. I
want to make a film that will document what’s happening
today. What the present experience is all about,
especially regarding politics.
Do you
have materials already for your dream project?
A lot.
That’s why I’m looking for producers who are goodhearted
enough to finance my dream movie. Producers who will not
immediately think of the return of investment.
Have you
approached potential alternative financiers, like the
National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Film
Development Council of the Philippiens, Cinemalaya,
Cinema One or Cinemanila?
No,
because they are mostly for indies (independent films).
What I’m thinking about is coming up with a really
sensible film that can be shown in commercial theaters
so that many people will watch it. If that can be done,
napakaganda. There will be a liberation of really good
and brilliant directors doing commercial films because
they will not be limited by the dictates of producers.
What do
we lack these days, brilliant scriptwriters or good
producers?
Producers. We need producers who are creative, who have
a heart, who are sensitive enough to support the making
of sensible films.
What can
you say about the young directors of today?
Most of
them are good.
Say, for
example, Lav Diaz? You acted in one of his recent epic
movies....
Yes, in
(the 11-hour-long) Ebolusyon. Lav Diaz is a very
different kind of director. He is the only one who sees
cinema as cinema. Hindi sya nagpapatali sa anumang
uri ng komersyalismo. He’s very different. S’ya
lang ang nasa ganuong aspeto ng paggawa ng pelikula.
Hindi s’ya nagpapasakop sa commercial rules.
What
advice can you give to young aspiring directors today,
especially those traversing the indie path?
They
should think of the audience. For me, there’s no sense
or value if you’re creating a film that only you can
understand or appreciate. It’s still important that you
should make a film that is appreciated and viewed by
many. Even if it’s your experiences in the film, it’s
important that the viewers also see themselves in your
film. It’s sad if only two people watch your film.
Kalimitan ganun ang nangyayari. It’s time for the
indies to create films that are audience-friendly. It’s
not only about making films, it’s how you reach to the
audience so you will feel their heartbeat, you will feel
who they are. Not because of personal masturbation.
But
these independent films are shown and appreciated
abroad.
That’s
it. That is what happening. They don’t think of the
Filipino audience. They think of the audience abroad.
For me, it should be the other way around. First, think
of the audience here. If they appreciate the film and
the audience abroad did the same, that’s more malaman,
instead of you catering to the interests of the
foreigners. You’re a Filipino, so you must create films
for Filipino audience. All our National Artists for
Film, ganun. They do films for the Filipino audience
that were eventually seen and appreciated abroad. Lino
Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero, Gerry de Leon...dapat
ganun. So, if you’re making a film, always think
that Filipinos will watch it. Sa akin ’yun ang
pinakamaganda.
On a
more lighthearted concern, we’ve learned that you have
pet dogs? Can you tell us about them?
I have
five. One is a beagle I call Dinggoy. Another is a
labrador I call Betchy. Then Betchy has three children,
all of them are yet to be named. At the end of a busy
day, I always look forward going home to see and play
with them. |
