Who’s the next ‘Drama King’?

Jericho Rosales

Some acting buffs want to know: Who is Philippine show biz’s “Drama King?” In the past, the answer to that quivering question was relatively clear and uncontroversial: One period, it was Vic Silayan. He was followed by Eddie Rodriguez, Angel Esmeralda, Rogelio dela Rosa, Luis Gonzales, etc.

Later, however, the title became more difficult to confidently confer, as frontrunners faltered due to less-exceptional performances, which flouted the operative rule that drama kings have to be consistently outstanding to deserve the honor.

These days, no clear winner has emerged, due to the unreliable quality of leading contenders’ portrayals.

By chronological rights, the real title should go to Christopher de Leon—who, when his mentor, Lino Brocka, was still alive, benefited greatly from the film master’s many starmaking vehicles purposely produced for him.

Later, Christopher still shone under Ishmael Bernal’s tutelage (“Relasyon,” “Broken Marriage”). After that, however, he acquired a number of bad acting habits that watered down some of his other performances, so the prized thespic honor can’t go to him—unless he makes up for it with untrammeled portrayals, in maturity.

If Christopher has fallen short, who are still in the running? Perhaps it would be more productive if we first listed the TV-film actors who are doing some outstanding work at this time, then arrive at a clearer shortlist of contenders.

They include Jericho Rosales, Ronaldo Valdez, Tirso Cruz III, Aga Muhlach, Art Acuña, Bembol Roco, Robert Arevalo, Joel Torre, Nonie Buencamino, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Ricky Davao, Christian Vasquez, Marvin Agustin, Cesar Montano, Leo Rialp, Dennis Trillo and Rocco Nacino.

John Lloyd Cruz

With further vetting, some of them could be included on a shortlist of perhaps five leading contenders for the “regal” thespic title, circa 2017-2018. Relevant sequentially delimiting considerations include the age factor, frequency of appearances, consistency and versatility.

If the arbitrary cut-off point in terms of age would be set at 50, the now-more limited list would include Jericho, Piolo, John Lloyd, Christian, Marvin, Art, Dennis and Rocco. In that new context, the “frequency” factor would then leave out the “comebacking” Marvin, who acts only infrequently these days—leaving Jericho, Piolo, John Lloyd, Christian, Art, Dennis and Rocco still in the running.

On point of strength, versatility and consistency, the standouts are Jericho, Piolo, John Lloyd, Christian, Marvin, Art, Dennis and Rocco.

To their credit, Piolo and John Lloyd have recently tried to go “deeper and darker” in their portrayals—but, the recent nature of their efforts requires them to make up for lost time to catch up with Jericho, who went “darker” many years ago with “Santa Santita.”

So, is the new drama king Jericho Rosales? Uh, not yet, because his own career has had its inconsistent patches.

Everyone will just have to work even harder and more frequently to “officially” deserve the signal honor of being hailed as the country’s new TV-film drama king!