Not too late to go back to school at 40 for Allen Dizon’s character

ALLEN Dizon in “Lando at Bugoy”

Gravestone makers have earned his respect, according to actor Allen Dizon, who plays a troubled one in the Vic Acedillo Jr. drama, “Lando at Bugoy.”

“A real lapida maker was present during filming, but I still had to do some engraving myself. It isn’t as easy as it appears to be. These people put a lot of time and effort to what they do. I hope they get paid fairly,” Dizon told the Inquirer shortly after the gala screening on Sunday night at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.

The film, which also features Gold Azeron as Dizon’s rebellious son Bugoy, is an entry in the 2016 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, which runs up to Aug. 14.

The story of Lando Amora, Dizon’s character, is based on the real-life experiences of Silvino Bajao, a school teacher in Acedillo’s home province, Camiguin.

Disrespected by his teenage son, a 40-year-old high school dropout tries to solve this problem by returning to school, which only makes his son hate him even more. Then, an unexpected event changes everything.

“In our barangay in Tupsan, Camiguin, [Bajao] has become a legend. He is the subject of conversations in drinking sessions,” said Acedillo, describing the stories he heard of Bajao as hilarious.

“At first, he didn’t want me to interview him. He got angry and drove me away. I created the story from recollections of neighbors, teachers and his fellow students. They were those whom he fed because they went to class hungry, or those he gave money for tuition.”

Acedillo said Cesar Montano was his first choice to play Lando, but the action star’s work schedule did not permit this.

Allen proved to be a good second choice because “he attacked the character differently. His Lando is softer and friendlier,” said the director. “My favorite scene was of Allen and Roger Gonzales (who plays Lando’s father) having a serious talk… [the] sunken cemetery [was] in the background. It’s so heartwarming.”

Dizon said he liked that his director gave him relative freedom to develop his character. “He just told me how he’d like the story to begin. I also gave him my input,” the actor said. “I can relate to my character well. As a dad [with four kids], I know the importance of education. I also understand the need to have a good relationship with my children.”

Acedillo said most of the cast members are from Camiguin. “I’m so proud of them. They attended an acting workshop for only two days, but I never had any problems with them [during filming]. They’re  natural actors,” he said.

Gonzales, a theater actor and school principal based in Davao City, is convincing as Lando’s war veteran father.

Acedillo’s last two films, “Lando at Bugoy” and “Kakampi,” were both shot on Camiguin island. He hoped to make his next project in his home province, too.

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