I first met RS Francisco in 1990, a week after I watched the Manila production of M Butterfly.
Francisco, then so dauntless and daring, was the talk of the theater scene for breathing life into the character of Song Liling, a Chinese opera diva leading a double life as both lover and spy to a French diplomat who’s unaware his lover was, in fact, a man. His performance in this David Henry Hwang award-winning drama, which drew inspiration from Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, catapulted Francisco into instant popularity among theater audiences and the entertainment community.
In between studies, Francisco focused on theater and he never outgrew his love for performing in front of a live audience even after he was out of the university. And even while he set up his own business that became a success, that fire and passion for performing continued bringing him to television and film, and more live performances, meeting people and building friendships that continuously reminded him of his strength as an actor.
Now almost 27 years after, Francisco is starring in his very first lead role on film, specifically that of a gay thug, in Joel Lamangan’s latest film, Bhoy Intsik, an entry to this week’s 2017 Sinag Maynila Film Festival.
Patience certainly has paid off for Francisco. “I wasn’t even dreaming about it anymore—I mean, being able to play a title character in a film. I was already happy with the supporting roles that’d come my way, and just thankful that I have many avenues to showcase and support my passion,” he shared.
From our memory bank, Francisco had memorable stints on television, like Dolce Amore, Princess & I and Magkaribal. On the big screen, he gave remarkable performances in Bwaya, She’s the One, A Love Story and Midnight Dancers. He also had his fair share of TV commercials, where he wore the director’s hat.
But this new project that fell on his lap is giving him a different kind of high. “I started feeling jitters. I experienced butterflies inside me. My creative visualization process shifted to a fast lane. My excitement was indescribable. I was very scared, but I was happy, and positive, and raring to work on my new role.”
For the film, Francisco had to immerse himself in the milieu of his role, that of a gay goon who lives in a public cemetery and whose colorful life intertwines with the other lost souls of a very complicated social structure.
“I had to make sure that my role will dignify the gay image. I’m very particular with this every time I consider a gay role. Even if he’s poor, he still has to have his self-worth intact, he still has to be a survivor. And even if life is almost always tough, he still needs to be tougher than the the rest of the men, even tougher than life itself. That’s the kind of gay role I want to portray; the kind of gay role I want to showcase to the audience.”
He added, “I want my role to be someone the gay community will be proud of after watching the film. I want the LGBT community to be cheering for him with his every battle, with his every little victory. I want the audience to emphatize with him in his journey.”
Francisco is elated that the independently produced Moonlight was declared Best Picture at the recent Oscars. “Change has come, and these are big steps I’ve always wished for—both for indie films and gay-themed movies. I’m also happy that our films—and actors—are starting to get noticed in foreign film festivals and film markets.”
There are so many interesting stories about gay characters, and Francisco believes the saturation point is still too far to pose a real threat. “I believe a good story is a good story. The narrative is still the core of a good film. If you know how to tell a good story, if you are clear with your characters, whether they are straight or gay, you will get people interested. They will come and watch. And if the audience sees the characters and not the actors playing them, and you’re able to get them focused, interested and glued for 90 minutes, then I guess you’ve already created a good film.”
Bhoy Intsik, which also features Ronwaldo Martin, Mon Confiado, Jeric Raval, Mike Lloren, Alvin Fortuna, Jim Pebanco, Tony Mabesa, Liz Alindogan, Shyr Valdez, Ahwel Paz and Dennis Coronel, will be up against four other films that have also chosen for this edition of the Sinag Maynila film festival: Ricardo Carranza’s Beyond the Block, Jason Orfalas’s Ladyfish, Howard Yambao’s Kristo and Arnel Barbarona’s Tu Pug Imatuy (The Right To Kill).
I’m happy RS Francisco has remained brave, bold and brilliant in his many life, career and business decisions, and his premium as an A-list artist continues to appreciate over the years.
Cuatro Cineastas Españolas
All over the world, the month of March is hailed as the International Women’s Month, and many activities are lined up to celebrate women and their many achievements and contributions.
In line with this, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) is partnering with Instituto Cervantes for the screening of women-themed Spanish films from March 4 to 25 at the FDCP Cinematheque Manila in Ermita, Manila.
Billed as “Espacio Femenino [Women Space],” the film series will feature four documentaries directed by female Spanish directors, which highlight the role of women as drivers of political and social change.
The first film, Las Constituyentes (The Constituents) by Olivia Acosta, was shown over the weekend. The three remaining films, with their respective screening schedules are as follows:
- March 11 (6 pm)—Excluidas del Paraiso (Excluded from Paradise) by Esther Perez de Eulate
- March 18 (6 pm)—La Fiesta de Otros (The Party of Others) by Ana Serret Ituarte
- March 25 (6 pm)—El Lugar de Fresas (The Strawberry Place) by Maite Vitoria Daneris
“We’re in full support of Instituto Cervantes for this continuing film series made by—and for—women. We hope that through this, our own Filipino women audience here will be inspired and encouraged to not just celebrate their femininity but also use it to affect positive change in our society,” FDCP Chairman Liza Diño said regarding the program.
We are impressed with how passionately Diño is running the FDCP, especially the support that she and her team are giving both the local and regional film communities. Keep up the good work.