“Sa Wakas ! Nakahiga na ako ng Kabaong!”
Seven years ago, I played the role of the inheritance lawyer of Francisco (Charlie Davao) in an ABS-CBN soap opera titled “Saan Ka Man Naroroon”. It top-billed Claudine Barretto who played three different roles. During the taping, a production staff asked Charlie Davao if he would agree to be placed inside a coffin for the funeral scene. Charlie answered quickly in the affirmative. He told the production staff that actors who had been placed in a coffin for a funeral scene became big stars in Philippine Cinema.
Having heard that conversation then, I just smiled. I had been “killed” several times in the past. I had a big scene when I was shot by a hired killer in “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan”. I was shot by no less than Pen Medina in an episode of Mayor Lim’s “Katapat”. I was killed by holdupper in another “Katapat” episode. I was shot by Edu Manzano in “Magkaaway Hanggang Hukay”. And latety, as General Garcia in Maria Flordeluna, I was “killed” by a sniper shot. There were several other “killing scenes” but my roles ended when I got “killed”. No additional scene in a funeral chapel!
When Mae of “LOBO” called me for my continuity taping, she told me that we will be doing my funeral scene! I am playing the role of Professor in Lobo and I will be killed in the story!. As my conversation with Mae progressed, I became very excited specially when I heard that we will be doing a funeral scene. Suddenly, the words of Charlie Davao kept ringing in my ears. I asked myself will I be placed inside a coffin? Mae added that I have to bring a barong tagalog and coat and tie as choices to be used in the scene. I smiled, maybe I will be placed in a coffin for the scene! When Mae finally told me that she will text me the name of the Funeral Parlor that we will use for the scene, I already knew that for sure, I will be placed in the coffin!
I told my wife and my daughters about it and what Charlie Davao had said seven years ago. My wife was very much affected on the thought that I will be placed in a coffin. She said she does not like to hear about it. My eldest daughter commented, it is scary. My youngest called it creepy!
But the words of Charlie Davao provided the greatest motivation for me to even became more excited instead of being scared to do the scene!
The location was the biggest and most expensive chapel – Superior De Luxe of La Funeraria Paz on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City !
When I was being made up for the scene, Direk Eric Reyes was around. I told him about what Charlie Davao said on being placed in a coffin! He said, “kita nyo”!
Before I finally step inside the coffin, Direk Eric told me that the expensive coffin was actually “for rent”. I did not get the joke right away. After a few seconds, I commented, “baka naman pang-apat lang ako!”.
I was inside the coffin “na parang natutulog lamang” for two solid hours as the scenes were being taped: my “wife” and my “son” wept beside the coffin, the camera panned around the big chapel which captured the grieving talents and Pilar Pilapil had a scene with my “wife” in the private room of the chapel with me inside the coffin as background!
Will Charlie Davao’s statement apply in my case? Just like any other striving character actor, I really wish it would! But for now, I wish that you were able to watch Lobo last friday, 15 February 2008 when my "burol scene" was aired!
Feb 17th 2008
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I post this after reading through most of the postings that show the wide experience and talents of Egay Sandalo. As a very old Pinoy now living in Jersey City, I find Egay’s blog a nice trip to our Inang Bayan; and am heartened by the continuing appearance of new talent. And I’m gladenned to see the names of the reliables like Tony Mabesa, Dina Bonnevie, Robert Arevalo (I knew Tito Arevalo from long ago;I wrote lyrics for one of his compositions), Pilar Pilapil and many more. One suggestion: Perhaps somebody should also write about the writers of our TV shows? The recent strike of the TV and movie writers here in the States made clear that ang manunulat is basic and vital for any of the performing arts.
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Why not with the positive attitude that you have your wish to be a big star is just around the corner..he he… just keep trying…..I’ve seen you act hmmm pwede na………
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Hello marie:
thanks for visiting my blog! make it a habit to drop more often and spread word, encourage your friends to visit here too!
egay
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hmm.. nagsisimula palang po akong magkalkal ng blog nyo, and i started mula sa interesting topics you posted from the beginning of your blog. This part of coffin scene really catches my attention.
Naku kung alam niyo lang po tito egay greatest fear ko yang makahiga sa kabaong ng buhay pa ako.. waaah.. hindi ko po alam why, natatakot lang po siguro talaga ako! haha.. pero kayo grabe! excited pa talaga haha.. anyway based po sa sinabi nung Charlie feeling ko po totoo yun and nakikita ko po sa progress ng mga roles niyo.. Sana someday makapaglead naman po kayo ng isang role and sana dito sa May Bukas Pa na yung role na yun. Yung tipong isang week na about sa character niyo po as Fr. Jude na may past experienced kayo na something and Santino will help you about dun.. hehe..
anyway evertime na may free time magreview ako ng mga articles niyo and ill try to comment sa bawat mababasa ko..
goodluck po sa lahat ng ginagawa niyo.. Always pray.. Godbless..
-ben (^-^)
site admin of http://santino.tk
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Maraming Salamat Ben! By the way, I like the pillow to gave me! Thanks!
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hehe.. welcome po.. yung kay zaijian nga po kulay violet.. la kasing blue, bka hindi niya ngustuhan.. wag naman sana.. la ng kulay n pangboy kasi nung bumili po ako nun kaya ayun na lang violet.. hehe.. cge po next time mangalkal ulit po ako ng past post nyo dito sa blog niyo..
Godbless.. (^-^)
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