Direk Paul: Focus on the film, not the Erich rumor

From left: Erich Gonzales, Jericho Rosales and Jasmine Curtis-Smith in “Siargao”

It will be director Paul Soriano’s first time to join the Metro Manila Film Festival, with his latest movie, “Siargao.”

Quite understandably, he’s a tad thrilled about participating in the annual parade of stars. Three weeks before the big event, he was thinking of possible concepts for the film’s float. “Perhaps we can build a giant surfboard, complete with waves,” he mused.

The film fest neophyte is no first-timer when it comes to controversies, though. During the event’s launch last month, he was besieged by reporters inquiring about rumors of romance with lead star Erich Gonzales.

“It’s unfortunate,” he told the Inquirer. “There’s no truth to that. It’s just one of those things [that happen] when your cast and crew are locked in on location … The imagination of certain people can run wild.”

The team spent six weeks on the island during the height of summer last May.

The filmmaker, who is married to singer-actress Toni Gonzaga, explained that he completely understood why some people would misread the situation. “I enjoy working closely with actors,” he elaborated. “And not just with actresses, but also with my actors like Jericho [Rosales in ‘Siargao’] and Enrique [Gil in ‘Dukot’ before]. But then again, I don’t get linked with my male actors, right (laughs)?”

Seriously now, Paul recalled that he had lunch and dinner with Jericho four to five times, while developing the script. “Same with Erich. That’s my process. I like to pick the brains of my actors in creating their characters.”

That was why tongues started wagging, he surmised. He recalled that the same type of gossip had spread during the shoot of “Thelma” in Ilocos Norte with Maja Salvador, six years ago. He asserted, however, that it’s “unfair” to the women. “Erich went to the island to work. Good thing, she knows it’s part of the industry.”

Fortunately, his wife Toni is just as “understanding.” “She has had her fair share of intrigues in the past. During the time of ‘Thelma,’ we were already dating then,” he recounted. “The great thing about our relationship is that our trust is solid. We never questioned each other.”

He could only wish that the intrigue-mongers would give them a break. “I hope they will focus on the film, its story and the characters we’ve created,” he noted. “As for the other things, I hope people will give them a rest.”

It would be such a pity, he remarked, if the film would get lost in the mad shuffle in the scandal sheets—especially since “Siargao” is a passion project for him. “Siargao is an island close to my heart,” he volunteered.

Unknown to most people, he co-owns a hideaway there called Harana Surf Resort. “I try to surf,” he quipped. “I love the beach. I love the mountains. I brought my family—Toni and Seve—to Siargao last April.”

When he and his friends invested in the resort five years ago, the island wasn’t “on the map yet.” “Thankfully, tourism has boomed since then.”

Paul Soriano directs Erich (left) and Jasmine (center)

Although it is mainly a light-hearted, feel-good romantic romp, there is a bit of “environmental advocacy” injected into “Siargao’s” story which revolves around a burned-out rocker (Jericho) who is torn between a city girl (Erich) and an island lass (Jasmine Curtis-Smith).

“I couldn’t have asked for a better cast,” he exclaimed.

There have been several beach movies of late (like “Apocalypse Child” and “Flotsam”), but what sets Paul’s film apart is the setting itself. “The difference is Siargao. The island is a character in the movie. It’s one of my leads!”

In sum, he said, “Siargao” is “a film about escape.” “It’s about finding yourself and truly valuing the gift of life.”