Even Lino Brocka was in awe of Jaclyn Jose’s artistry, Ricky Lee says

Jaclyn Jose | Image: Instagram/@jaclynjose

Updated 7:30 p.m.

National Artist Ricky Lee spoke about the artistry of Jaclyn Jose, revealing that even the late Lino Brocka regarded her as a “rare find” and declared that she had the making of a “star.”

Lee looked back on his fond memories and projects with Jose in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN on Tuesday, March 5, days after the veteran actress’ untimely death.

The award-winning actress died of a heart attack on March 2 at the age of 60, as confirmed by her daughter Andi Eigenmann in a press conference. Her wake is being held at Arlington Memorial Chapels in Quezon City.

“Nakasama ko siya, yung 1985 ata, sa ‘White Slavery.’ I think second film niya lang ‘yon. Bago pa lang siya sa industriya pero naaalala ko, pinupuri siya ni (director) Lino Brocka,” Lee said of Jose. “Ang husay-husay daw, parang isang rare find na artista.”

(I worked with her in “White Slavery” some time in 1985. I think it was her second film. She was just new in the industry but I remember Lino Brocka praising her. He said she was very good, like a rare find artist.)

Brocka, who died in a car accident in May 1991, is considered the greatest and most significant filmmaker of the country. His influence in the industry was such that to this day his critically-acclaimed films, mostly of the noir and socio-political genres, are regarded as national masterpieces.

In 1997, Brocka was posthumously named National Artist for Film.

READ: Cannes Film Festival honors late best actress awardee Jaclyn Jose

“She makes the character shine, e; ang husay-husay niyang napo-portray. And para sa isang scriptwriter na gaya ko, malaking utang na loob ‘yon. Napakalaking bagay ‘yon,” he underscored.

(She made the character shine by portraying it effectively. And for a scriptwriter like me, I’m grateful for it. It meant a lot [to me].)

Losing such exceptional talent, Lee said, leaves a huge space in the entertainment industry that is hard to fill.

No run-of-the-mill actress

Lee further praised Jose for her consistent approach and professionalism in acting may it be for television or the big screen.

Speaking about her moniker “Queen of Underacting,” Lee noted that the late actress introduced a way of acting that does not rely on big movements but on realistic delivery.

“Naalala ko sa set ng ‘White Slavery,’ nag-rave na si Lino. Sabi niya, hindi siya (Jose) ‘bold star’ lang. Hindi siya pipitsuging artista lang,” Lee added. “Ang tingin ni Lino sa kaniya, hindi siya starlet. Na usually ang tingin sa bago ay starlet. Star ‘yan, sabi ni Lino.”

(During the set of “White Slavery,” Lino raved about her. He said that Jose was not just a “bold star” or a starlet. Lino didn’t see her as a starlet despite her being a new actor. “She’s a star,” said Lino.)

Lee said Jose’s style of acting was no small feat, as she proved that a film’s lack or inclusion of bold images does not determine if it’s a good or bad film, that it can go beyond the explicit scenes portrayed by a character.

“It’s the boldness of acting na binibigay niya,” he further said.  (It was the boldness of acting that she delivered.)