Lotlot de Leon
To transform into a totally different person,” said Lotlot de Leon of the “assignment” of every actor before she stands in front of the camera and performs the character assigned to her.
“When you take on a role, you embark on a new adventure. You go on an exciting journey with your character. We just hope and pray that after the work is complete, our viewers will see that. I think that’s the beauty of being an actor; you become someone you’re not,” she told Inquirer Entertainment during a recent virtual chat.
Erik Matti’s action film “On the Job: The Missing 8,” where Lotlot plays a print journalist named Weng, is the country’s official representative to the best international feature film category of the 75th Academy Awards, which will be held in March.
She announced that promotions for the film to earn a nomination are currently in full swing.
Lotlot likewise shared the lessons she has picked up from portraying Weng. “She enabled me to see how difficult and dangerous the work of a journalist really is. I also became aware that journalists are made of different kinds—there are those who are like Pedring (Dante Rivero), who is corrupt, scheming, and vindictive. He once said in the movie that most journalists are like him.
Her inspiration
“For Weng, who is straight, this is considered an insult. Even though there’s a threat to her life, even though Sisoy (John Arcilla) warned her to lay low, she remains true to her profession. That’s also when I realized how dangerous it is for someone to tell the truth. But until when will you choose to be silent? If you are principled like Weng, you are not afraid to fight for what is true. I salute journalists like her,” declared Lotlot.
To prepare for her role, Lotlot said director Erik instructed her to look at the work of TV reporter Chiara Zembrano. “I saw that if there’s a war, she is one of those who get sent to the area to cover. I noticed that while most people are fleeing the area, Chiara and others like her bravely travel to get to where the action is. She is also present in areas affected by typhoons, volcanic eruptions and other tragedies. All these just to be able to tell the truth,” Lotlot observed.
Best supporting actress
For portraying Weng, Lotlot won the Gawad Urian for best supporting actress award in October. “To be awarded for this particular role is very inspiring. I guess the critics saw what I really wanted to share through the role and the movie. There’s this memorable line that Weng delivered, ‘Minsan tinatanong ko ang sarili ko kung worth it ba ang lahat ng ito.’ People don’t always take notice of the good work you put out there, but when they do, this becomes a form of affirmation that you’re doing the right thing. It tells you that you’re on the right track,” she pointed out.
“The pandemic has forced me to ask the same question, ‘Is it still right for me to stay in this industry?’ With the award, I realized that the answer is ‘yes.’ Things really happen for a reason. It’s amazing how God finds a way to answer your prayers,” she declared. INQ