‘Unsung’ supporting actors turn in insightful portrayals

LIM. Cast as one of Kim Chiu’s romantic consorts on “My Binondo Girl.”

Viewers are generally so focused on stars that they often don’t give supporting players their due. This is terribly unfair, since most stars’ portrayals are predictable to the point of boredom, while “lesser” names do better in their smaller roles, because they invest them with greater originality and attention to believable detail.

So, we’d like to devote today’s piece to a richly deserved albeit belated tribute to some “unsung” supporting actors who have managed to turn in interesting and insightful portrayals, against all odds:

Wealthy father

On “Binondo Girl,” we are quite taken by the performances of the actors who play Kim Chiu’s wealthy father and one of her young romantic consorts, named Andy. Richard Yap, the actor cast as the protagonist’s father, is acutely credible as a Hong Kong-based businessman, unfeelingly “directing” his children’s lives –and yet, occasionally capable of “vulnerable” emotions, when the unfamiliar spirit “surprises” and moves him.

For his part, the actor who plays “Andy” (Xian Lim) is different from most male starlets on TV, because he isn’t pa-cute, porma and friskily much too eager to please. No, he’s a cool, young comer in the Chinoy business world – and is shown playing the piano, besides! – Now, that’s a radical change of pace for local actors!

On “100 Days to Heaven,” the child actor who plays Jodie Santamaria’s adoptive kid brother similarly impresses with his natural, not trying-hard portrayal, a big relief from the agitatedly and relentlessly “cutie-pie” portrayals turned in by most child performers on TV.

Sensitive

Like Xyriel Manabat, the little actor is so naturally sensitive and proficient that he doesn’t have to act up an ingratiating storm to connect with viewers.

Ditto for Yogo Singh on “Futbolilits,” another rare child talent who is sensible, natural and affecting – not affected!

At the other end of the spectrum, there are popular child stars like Jillian Ward, who are much too pushbutton-“cute” to be naturally endearing.

We trust that, in time, more viewers will be able to tell the difference – and to prefer natural and genuinely childlike portrayals above all else!