“Badji Mortiz: Up Close and Personal with Father Paul”

    The son of Edgar Mortiz. For now, it may suffice as a tag to this young artist. However, I strongly believe that soon, it would the other way around: Edgar Mortiz would be tagged as: Badji Mortiz’ father!

    Badji as Father Paul – the monastery’s gate keeper is preparing himself for bigger challenges in the field of showbiz. At present, Badji is very busy with other showbiz activities. Aside from taping for “May Bukas Pa”, he is with the production team of “Banana Split” a  sexy-comedy featuring ABS-CBN’s sexy talents led by Valerie Concepcion. Tapings for “Banana Split” is done once a week in addition to three times a week tapings for “May Bukas Pa”. On top of these shows, Badji is a member of an elite group of ABS-CBN talents that are undergoing  advanced movie directing class under Director Marilou Diaz-Abaya. His classmates include our director Jerome Chavez-Pobocan and Darnell Villaflor whom I had the chance to work in the past particularly in the Judy Ann Santos Special several years ago. With these skills upgrading that Badji  is currently engaged in, I am confident that he will soon be carving his own name in this industry.

    One time, I had lunch with some clients with some friends in a famous steak house along Timog Avenue. After we had settled in our table, I saw direk Edgar Mortiz came in with companions to eat lunch. When I had the chance to greet direk Bobot, I told him that I am currently working with his son Badji in “May Bukas Pa”. In our next taping, I mentioned to Badji about my chance encounter with his dad, which Badji told me direk Bobot had also mentioned to him  our meeting.

    During tapings, in between takes, when Badji finds idle time, he clicks away with his camera. No, it  is not a digital movie camera but, it is a still camera and he shoots any subject of interest, it could be the San Guillermo Church with its preserved baroque architectural beauty or his co-actors or even the fans watching the tapings.
    We seldom hear this soft-spoken young man talk. Badji is definitely a silent type who prefers to spend his time working on creative endeavors rather than in unproductive talks.

    Because Badji’s bult is similar to his dad, he struggles in scenes where we are required to run or walk fast! As the door keeper of the monastery, Father Paul has to run the church main door every time we have visitors!

    Badji and I are also friends in Facebook.  Just like my other Facebook friends we view each others photos and post comments on our walls.