Time to bite the thespic bullet
YAP. More vitality and emotional commitment needed.
RICHARD YAP began his acting career much later than most performers, by way of his attention-calling role as a Chinoy taipan on “My Binondo Girl.” We found his belated debut auspicious because he was unusually believable in the role. That was because he was a businessman in real life, so the role was a perfect fit.
After the series ended, we hoped that Richard wouldn’t end up as a one-series wonder—and we were happy when we got our wish: He was cast as the male lead in another drama series, “Be Careful With My Heart.”
Richard’s second TV show turned out to be an even bigger hit, running on (and on) for almost two years—a daytime TV drama record of sorts!
But, Richard’s performance in “Be Careful” didn’t hearten us as much as his debut portrayal, because the character he was assigned to play was too idealized and “pluperfect” to be believed—a wealthy widower who was a good employer and great dad—and ended up marrying the series’ resident yaya (Jodi Sta. Maria), to boot!
The character was just too good to be true and dynamic, so Richard’s performance was predictable and bland. Yes, he had an even bigger hit and his stellar career was soaring, but as a credible thespian, he had taken one step back, instead of forward.
So, when the hit show finally ended its extended (and reextended) run, we hoped that Richard’s handlers would realized that he needed to really get his act together as an actor, before his by now signature blandness and “perfection” inevitably ended up boring viewers to yawning tears.
A good sign that positive changes are in the works is the actor’s leaner and meaner physical projection these days, which has made him look younger and more dynamic. Unfortunately, the change has been more visual than anything else, because Richard’s portrayal on his current miniseries is still lacking in vitality—and emotional commitment.
These are much more important improvements than just looking better and more physically fit, so Richard needs to bite the thespic bullet and work at coming up with more committed and felt portrayals—before it’s too late!
