Empoy nixes plastic surgery: My face is a gift from God

Empoy Marquez (right) and Shy Carlos

After the phenomenal success of “Kita Kita,” Empoy Marquez is back to tickle our funny bone in Viva Films’ “The Barker,” which opens on Oct 25. But the comedian is not all bark and no bite—he truly delivers.

In Dennis Padilla’s directorial debut, Empoy is paired off with Shy Carlos. Since Dennis also has a flair for comedy, his collaboration with Empoy is one solid laugh trip.

Here’s my chat with Empoy:

Is there pressure for “The Barker” to surpass “Kita Kita’s” success? I refuse to feel pressured. As long as I can make people laugh, that’s enough to make me happy.

How do you handle girls who flirt with you, now that you’re famous? I find all of them cute—but, I’m cuter.

How do you court a girl? Actually, I’m the one being courted (laughs).

How is Dennis Padilla as a first-time director? He’s very playful. It’s a breeze to work with him. He taught me how to love my job more.

Would you be willing to undergo plastic surgery à la Xander Ford? This face of mine has made many people smile and laugh. So, I don’t want to change a thing. My face is a gift from God.

Are you afraid of becoming laos (a has-been)? I’ll accept whatever God has in store for me. I’ll stick with Him so He’ll continue to guide me.

With your newfound fame, how do you avoid being swell-headed? Since 2003, when I entered the biz, I’ve always reminded myself to keep my feet on the ground.

Here’s my chat with Shy:

Would you fall for a regular-looking but funny guy like Empoy? Of course. Who would not fall for a funny guy? I’ve always been attracted to men with a good sense of humor.

What scene in your movie was hardest to shoot because you could hardly stop laughing at Empoy’s antics? Actually, it was harder when Empoy wasn’t doing any of his funny antics. The first scene we shot was the hardest, because it was quite emotional. It was hard to keep a straight face because I’m used to seeing him as a jester.

What’s the cheesiest line a guy has ever told you? All pickup lines are cheesy or corny, unless they’re from the person I want to hear them from.

What do you hate about love? I hate the fact that the person you love can make you or break you.

What do you find hard to understand about men? That they find women hard to understand.

Would you fight for a guy your family disapproves of? It depends. But, I will take into consideration why my family disapproves of him because, in the first place, there must be a reason for them to dislike him. If I feel that there’s something wrong with their judgment, I’ll help the guy prove himself to my family.

Would you rather win an acting award or have a box-office hit? I’d rather get an acting award, because that would mean that I’ve proven myself as an actress.

The 13-episode docuseries “Local Legends” (Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on ANC) aims to promote a deeper sense of pride in our country’s heritage. It showcases Filipino craftsmanship and artistry in music, food and textiles. Let’s celebrate the joy of being Pinoy.