Enzo Osorio lauds ‘The Hearing’ cast as his support system amid tough filming

Enzo Osorio in a scene from “The Hearing.” Image: Courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

Portraying the role of a deaf-mute boy in the Cinemalaya 2024 film entry “The Hearing” was admittedly tough for Enzo Osorio, but he’s grateful to his co-stars and crew for being supportive of him throughout the experience.

Osorio was named Best Actor for his portrayal of a deaf-mute boy named Lucas in “The Hearing” at Cinemalaya’s closing ceremony last Sunday, August 11. Joined by Mylene Dizon and Ina Feleo, the film tells the story of Lucas (Osorio) who’s determined to seek justice after he was sexually abused by the town’s respected priest (Rom Factolerin).

Aside from the film’s topics, what makes Osorio’s character hard to portray is that all of his scenes are done in silence. He didn’t have any lines to say; he relied heavily on his facial expressions and sign language.

“I think the hardest for me was the facial reactions and sign language since my role was a deaf-mute child,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the ceremony. “D’un ako na-challenge talaga (I was really challenged in that aspect) because I cannot speak. I could only speak using my reactions and my hands to sign to my mother, family, and [co-stars].”

The young actor, who got the role of Lucas through an audition, shared that there was one scene where he felt pressured to cry on cue. But Dizon, his onscreen mother, patiently took her time to ease him into what he needed to do.

“There’s a scene na kailangan kong umiyak and then na-pressure ako dahil sobrang daming tao. Ayaw [bumaba] ng luha ko. Nasa mata ko lang siya,” recalled Osorio. “And then Ms. Mylene just went to me, hugged me, and said emotional words para maiyak ako. Noong naiiyak na ako, umalis siya and nakaiyak ako successfully.”

(There’s a scene where I had to cry. I felt pressured because there were so many people. My tears couldn’t fall. They remained in my eyes. And then, Ms. Mylene went to me, hugged me, and said emotional words to make me cry. When I cried, she went away and I did my scene successfully.)

Osorio is also grateful to his co-stars, crew, and acting coach to support him throughout filming. “Nandyan sila para suportahan ako, tulad ng [acting coach] kong si Coach Neil. Nandyan siya kasi kapag may nakakalimutan [akong cues], sasabihin niya sa’kin ang mga kailagan kong sabihin.”

“Pati rin po ang mga cast and crew mates ko,” he continued. “Kung hindi ko po kaya, bibigyan nila ako ng motivation.”

(They were there to support me, as well as my acting coach, Coach Neil. He was there to guide me through my cues. He would tell me if there were things I needed to do. Even my cast and crew mates. If I couldn’t do it, they would motivate me.)

Inspired by deaf-mute kids

Like his castmates, Osorio said he wanted to be part of “The Hearing” to spread awareness of the deaf community and sexual abuse.

“Na-inspire ako sa sobrang dami ng mga kids na inabuso, sobrang daming [deaf-mute] na naaabuso. Sa [paningin] nila, wala na silang pag-asa and mahirap [mabuhay] sa mundo. Tulungan natin sila at bigyan natin ng kulay ang mundo nila (I was inspired by the many kids who were abused. Many deaf-mute people were abused. They believe that there’s no hope and it’s hard to life. Let’s help them and add color to their world),” he said.

Enzo Osorio (left) and Mylene Dizon (right) in a scene from “The Hearing.” Image: Courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines

The young actor also stressed that society needs to practice kindness towards people with disabilities and use their God-given abilities to do good.

“Huwag natin abusuhin ang kapangyarihan natin [towards] them. Iniisip natin na porket my abilities tayo, kaya nating gawin anong gusto nating gawin. Dapat gamitin natin ang gifts na binigay sa’tin ni Lord para mag-protect sa mga taong hindi gifted (Let’s not abuse our power towards them. Just because we have the ability to live properly, we can do whatever we wanted. Let’s use our God-given talents to protect those who are not gifted),” he said.