Eugene and Edgar play obsessed fan Bona and aspiring actor Gino Sanchez respectively in Philippine Educational Theatrical Association’s (PETA) adaptation of Lino Brocka’s classic movie “Bona,” originally starring Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador.
“Si Ate Uge (Eugene), ate ko talaga siya eh. Sa akin naman kasi trabaho ito eh. Andoon yung respeto, kumbaga kailangan lang namin itong gawin,” Edgar explained the intimate scene.
No awkwardness
The award-winning actor shared that there is no awkwardness between him and Eugene, since their roles require them to do the scene. Besides, he and Eugene have done various projects together, such as TV5’s “Sa Ngalan ng Ina.”
“Marami na rin kaming projects na magkasama. So wala na sigurong ilangan yung kissing scenes. Nung nabasa namin na may kissing scene, okay lang sa amin. Kumbaga gagawin naming iyon para sa story at sa mga audiences na nanunuod. Yung kissing scene, nilagay ko lang sarili ko sa eksena. Hindi ako nailing, hindi ako nahiya,” Edgar told Yahoo! OMG Philippines and some members of the press on Tuesday, August 14.
Edgar says it’s fun working with Eugene because she guides him in his craft.
“Si Ate Uge, nakaalalay eh. Textmates kami, tinatanong niya ako kung pupunta ako sa rehearsals. Nakaalalay siya sa akin kasi alam niyang first time kong nag-PETA, professional pa. Although nag-teatro ako before, pero ito, professional ito eh. Yung disiplina mahigpit. So natutuwa ako at nagpapasalamat sa pag-alalay niya.”
To grasp his role better, Edgar atched “Bona” the film and studied Phillip’s acting. Since the PETA version is a modernized one, Edgar tackled his character differently from the way Phillip did.
“Bago ibigay sa akin yung script, bumili ako ng DVD. Wala kasi akong idea akung ano yung story and yung role ni Mr. Phillip Salvador and Ms. Nora Aunor. Yung pag-aartista yung niretain ko sa from the movie. Yung isang lalaking wiling gawin ang lahat, sumikat lang siya. Maikli yung pasensya. Yung iba, sila na yung nag-isip,” Edgar added said.
He shrugged off rumors that he was just a second choice to Paulo Avelino, who declined the project.
“Unang-una sinabi sa amin is magka-alternate kami ni Paulo Avelino. So, sa akin wala akong naramdaman na second ako. Nalungkot ako at nasayangan kasi pangalawang beses namin na magkakatrabaho sana ni Paulo,” he said.
A fan first
Edgar shared that he can relate to the story of Bona, as he himself was a fan of many celebrities before becoming an actor. He also reaches out to fans via social networking sites.
“I have Faceboook and Instagram. Kapag sa Instagram, may nagcocomment, sumasagot ako kaagad. Nagpapasalamat ako kasi alam ko yung pakiramdam nila eh, kasi fan rin ako. Although kahit artista ako, nagging fan rin ako. So, alam ko yung feeling na nirereject ng iniidolo ko, nasasaktan rin ako so naiintindihan ko sila.”
Directed by Soxie Topacio, PETA’s 45th season opener “Bona” runs from Aug. 24 to Sept. 23 at PETA Phinma Theater, Quezon City.
Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom
