Noteworthy ‘MMK’ episode on view today

Saturday’s “Maala-Ala Mo Kaya” episode is a “should-see” show in our books, because it casts one of our best child talents, Xyriel Manabat, as a patient suffering from progeria, the aging ailment.

Aside from the relative rarety of the medical condition itself, what makes tonight’s episode exceptional is the fact that Xyriel is well-nigh unrecognizable in the role.

The show’s trailer has her looking, talking and moving like an entirely different person, so the episode should be viewed as a great exemplar of the virtues and strengths of character acting, as opposed to the much more usual personality projection and performance favored by our “beautiful” stars and starlets—who don’t want to look less than absolutely, perfectly lovely, or handsome, even if the role requires it!

That Xyriel should turn out to be a sterling exception to that desultory rule is no surprise—since, despite her young age, she’s proven herself to be a thespic artist in the true sense of the word!

Fly in the ointment

Aside from new child stars like Jana Agoncillo and Alonzo Muhlach, other very young talents are getting their big breaks in upcoming TV shows and films. On the TV screen, the new series, “Nathaniel,” is about to win fans for its new child actor, Marco Masa, who’s cast as an angel given human form and come down to earth to do a lot of good.

Masa is a real charmer, and a total performer, to boot—he doesn’t just act but also sings well.

It really is turning out to be the season for new child stars—and other juvenile comers are just waiting in the wings for their chance to shine on TV-film screens.

The only fly in the ointment is the fact that so many of these child performers are working long hours to make a lot of money for their parents, siblings and other relatives and hangers-on.

Initially, that sounds like a really admirable motive—but, when you think about it some more, you realize that it’s an unfair imposition on these exceedingly young kids, who have to be their families’ breadwinners at such an early stage!

Of course, some people will point out that some parents are jobless or make only a pittance at part-time jobs, while child performers earn a whole lot more. So, it’s “OK” for them to “sacrifice” for their loved ones, especially if they do so “voluntarily.”

But, the situation is much more complex—the work is hard, some relatives turn out to be lazy louts and leeches, and the very young breadwinners sometimes grow up resentful and warped.

Yes, they’ve lifted their families and entire clans out of poverty, but is the personal toll on their young psyches and bodies worth the “sacrifice?”

This isn’t a perfect world, of course, so these fears and doubts may strike some people as huffy “quibbles” that ignore the harsh reality of families that are cash-strapped and need to make money by whatever means! Far be it from us to diminish the value of child stars’ contributions to their needy families’ well-being, but we wish that everyone involved would worry about the cost, not just in financial terms, to the young breadwinners themselves!

FPJ forever

ABS-CBN is marking the 10th anniversary of action king Fernando Poe Jr.’s death month, with the screening of some of his movies, plus a documentary on him and his cinematic achievements as actor, producer, scriptwriter and director. We’re joining other industry people in remembering FPJ and his oeuvre, and urge everyone to catch the FPJ docu on Dec. 21. —When comes such another?

From victim to victimizer

What a difference a week makes! Just last Saturday, we gushed about the memorable telecast of “Forevermore,” in which Enrique Gil surprised Liza Soberano by way of an unexpected and brilliant fireworks display that lit up the night sky and expressed his love for her.

Then, only a few days later, the series hit a very sour note by abruptly altering the spine of Lilet’s character as Enrique’s mother, from victim to kontrabida-esque victimizer! Previously, Lilet played her character as a sympathetic figure who was even battered by her husband.

Quite illogically, however, the character has now been made to abruptly change tack and tactics—and emerge as Liza’s new nemesis, coldly telling her that she will never end up with her son, because they belong to “different worlds!”

What happened? Did the series need additional “kontrabida” pressures, so Lilet’s character was made to radically change nature and turn “mata-pobre” practically overnight? How unenlightened and expedient.

The organic and empathetic believability and vulnerability of Lilet’s portrayal was one of the series’ (few) best suits—but, that advantage has been harshly bungled and eroded by this unfortunately “wrenched” shift, from victim to victimizer.

—Suddenly, the brilliant fireworks display has ended—and the series’ sky has turned very dark, indeed.

Emerging sidelight

On “The Voice of the Philippines,” an instructive emerging sidelight is the “brave” decision of some name singers to attempt to heat up their careers by competing in the singing tilt. They have much more to lose than relative unknowns, so they should be credited for taking the risk—even if it’s been with contrasting results.

Last week, for instance, Niño Alejandro made it past the “Battles” round, but Arnee Hidalgo didn’t. —Happily, she was “saved.”

Another interesting development on “The Voice” last week was the “loss” of semifinalist Shairah—who suddenly became the winner of the night when she was promptly “stolen” by three of the mentors!