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Pokwang (left) and Eugene Domingo. Image: Facebook/The IdeaFirst Company
Similar to the companionship of the lead characters in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Becky & Badette,” Eugene Domingo is grateful to find a genuine friend in her co-lead star Pokwang.
“Gusto ko kay Pokwang ‘yung pagiging very professional niya. Ang bilis niyang kumilos. Game siya (What I love about Pokwang is that she’s very professional. She moves fast. She’s game for everything),” Domingo told reporters during the press conference for the film.
The buddy comedy, laced with references to screen veteran Vilma Santos, tells the story of Becky Naman (Eugene Domingo) and Badette Imaculada (Pokwang) who become famous after making up a story about a batchmate in their younger years.
“Kapag nasa set na kami, hindi na namin pinaplano. Pinapabayaan na lang kami ni direk Jun Robles Lana at biglang lilitaw na bardagulan tapos okay naman (When we’re on the set, we don’t plan anything. Director Jun Robles Lana allowed us to do our own thing, then our banter would flow naturally. And it turned out okay). Organic,” Domingo continued.
Meanwhile, Pokwang considers Domingo as her “kumare” or close friend who’s generous as the latter finds joy in feeding their castmates and production staff and showering them with gifts.
“Mararamdaman mo na hindi lang siya puro trabaho. Mararamdaman mo rin ang concern niya sa pamilya mo, at laging siyang nandyan siya. Lagi siyang nakikinig,” she added. “Nakapag-MMFF ako ng supporting role. Pero this time, ako at si Uge na ‘yung bida. Hindi burden ang lahat. Masaya na [gumagawa] kami ng pelikula na magkasama kami. Magkasama kami sa lahat, sa excitement at kaba, sa lahat.”
(You will feel that she’s not just about work. You will feel her concern for your family, and she’s always there for you. She always listens. I already did supporting roles in the MMFF, but this time Uge and I are the leads. It doesn’t feel like a burden. It makes me happy doing a film with her. We have each other’s back, in excitement and nervousness, in everything.)
‘Hindi lang puro sarili mo’
“Becky & Badette” is among the 10 entries in the annual film festival which includes a rich lineup that also includes “Mallari,” “When I Met You in Tokyo,” “K(ampon),” “Firefly,” “GomBurZa,” “Rewind,” “Broken Heart’s Trip,” “Penduko” and “A Mother and Son Story.”
While going against nine entries triggers some sort of competition among her peers, Domingo—carrying on the kindness of Becky—is instead excited to promote the rise of the film industry. Because according to her, being part of the MMFF is not a time to think about yourself.
“Now is the time na hindi puro sarili mo. We have to help each other. [The reality] is right in front of us, naghihingalo tayo. Kaya kailangang magtulungan na tayo. We can’t just do things on our own,” she said.
(Now is the time to not think about yourself. We have to help each other. The reality is right in front of us, we’re dying. This is why we have to think of each other. We can’t just do things on our own.)
Domingo also noted that actors should see every project as a “challenge” which helps in improving their craft. “Dapat lagi mong iisipin na nacha-challenge ka para husayan mo. Huwag ka lang umasa sa direktor mo (You must see things as a challenge so you can improve. Don’t just rely on your director).”
“Huwag ka lang umasa sa script. Dapat mong isipin na laging may bago. Nae-excite ka, nagigigil ka (Don’t just rely on the script. Always think that there’s something new. It then excites you and makes you determined to do better),” she added.
The Jun Robles Lana-helmed MMFF entry also stars Agot Isidro and Romnick Sarmenta.