Working With Oyo Boy Sotto and Kristine Hermosa

Ten years ago, I was then a struggling tv talent. I got a call from the late Cora Banaag, a talent supplier that I will have a taping at 9:00 pm at the Danarra Hotel in Quezon City. I could vividly remember when Direk Rory Quintos gave her instructions to us.  It was a big party scene: From among the all-male party goers, Direk Rory chose me to be one of the six men wearing formal attire who would do the big scene: a box as big as a refrigerator was brought into the party which was a hosted by a Congressman (played by the late Abet Zialcita). The box was a gift, a special gift complete with wrapper and ribbon. I was tasked by Direk Rory to pull the ribbon and finally open the big box. It was Kristine Hermosa wearing only a two-piece bikini. I will present Kristine to Tonton Gutierrez (groomed to run for Governor in the story) as a “gift” from the Congressman and I will lead the six men in dancing and horse playing with the gift. The only restriction
given by Direk Rory was that we are not suppose to touch Kristine.  The big scene was for “Pangako Sa Yo” which launched Kristine Hermosa’s acting career! I was one of the two lawyers (the other one was Gamie Viray) of Madame Claudia (Jean Garcia) for the series which lasted one year and a  half. By the way, I heared that the very popular series  is currently airing in China complete with chinese sub-titles.

Fast forward to March 2010. Kristine is now topbilled with real life boyfriend Oyo Boy Sotto in the PHR’s Lumang Piso Para sa Puso. Her character Sandra has to deal with the Municipal Mayor (which I am now playing as Mayor Gasti) since she is an employee of the Municipal government. Tapings for our scenes together with Tin went on smoothly. She was very much prepared for every scene that we taped. She was very professional! When I finally asked Tin for a photograph with her, I reminded her that our first project together was ten years ago for “Pangako Sa Yo”. She answered, “ang tagal na po noon”! I also had a brief role as the Police General who saved Kristine and Jericho Rosales in “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas” in 2004.

In the case with Oyo Boy Sotto, in between takes, I had small talks with him. I related to Oyo that in the serye “Babangon Ako At Dudurugin Kita” (GMA 7) I played the father of his mother Dina Bonnevie! Of course, I had worked with Ms. D in “May Bukas Pa” for a longer time with most of our interaction were for the scenes when she would hear mass in the church as I was playing the role of one of the 12 priests as Father Jude. I had also an episode with his Dad Vic Sotto in the now defunct “Daddy Di Do Du” of GMA 7 where I played the role of a restaurant owner. Working with Oyo, I can personally attest he  has all the genes from both his mom and dad combined containing the acting prowess of both parents!

I recalled someone talking about a person going through life in complete cycle. I guess I just did. The cycle is 10 years. I had worked for that long. Started with a bit role in Pangako Sa Yo with Kristine Hermosa for my first scene, completed the 10 year cycle with Kristine Hermosa again for a co-actor!

I started as a nameless face, a bit player who name does not appear in both the Opening and Closing Bill Boards but ten years later, I was flattered but humbled to see my name in the Opening Bill Board of this Oyo-Kristine starrer mini-series. I texted Direk Rechie del Carmen to thank her for being so generous in having my name in the  billing. She texted back, saying, “you deserved it, you do not have to say thank  you”!

My scenes for the miniseries will start on thursday, March 25 onwards. If you could not catch up the 5:20 pm time slot on ABS-CBN Channel 2  of the miniseries Precious Hearts Romance “Lumang Piso Para sa Puso”, you may watch it  at Youtube. I just watch the episodes aired last monday to friday. Hope you will enjoy watching!

PS: Take a look at photos taken during the tapings of Lumang Piso Para sa Puso, click this link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4349082&l=c809c86dce&id=685666530