How mom’s traumatic past helped Enzo Osorio win best actor at Cinemalaya

Enzo Osorio (left) with his mom, Shane —MARINEL CRUZ

Cinemalaya best actor Enzo Osorio was very effective in his portrayal of Lucas, a boy raped by a priest, in “The Hearing” because his own mother suffered the same fate from a neighbor when she was young, and she made sure Enzo understood what happened to her.

Enzo’s mother, Shane, now 37, was allegedly raped when she was 7 by a 45-year-old male neighbor. “I chose to be honest with Enzo about what happened to me, partly because I wanted him to have a personal experience that he can relate to while portraying Lucas,” Shane told Inquirer Entertainment shortly after Enzo was awarded the best actor trophy at the recent Cinemalaya awards held at Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

“I wanted him to understand what I went through as a child traumatized by the experience. I was in shock for three to four months. Like the family of Lucas, my mother also filed a case against our neighbor, but we didn’t get the justice we deserved because their family was moneyed and influential,” Shane recalled.

Enzo Osorio as Lucas in “The Hearing” —SHANE OSORIO

His inspiration

Enzo said he felt so angry when he first heard of his mom’s story, but this also eventually inspired him to dream. “I want to create a company that will enable me to help other people like my mom,” said the 15-year-old. “I want to make videos about the topic and share them so that more people will be motivated to fight back. I will also look for funds to help more people. Money and fame are not infinite, but the help you give will last forever. It will be totally worth it. You can help in your own little way, and that’s a good thing to do.”

“When Enzo first learned of my story, he took pity on me,” Shane recalled. “Enzo said, ‘Mommy, don’t worry. I will work hard for us. I will try to be a good actor so that I can provide a good life for you and our family. I understand you and I will take care of you. I will do everything to make you proud of me.’”

Shane said Enzo almost didn’t make it to the audition for “The Hearing” because the person she asked to accompany her son to the screening had overslept. “So I called the school to personally ask them to release Enzo from class. It was good that Direk Law (Fajardo) waited for him. He was in Grade 6 when he auditioned,” Enzo’s mom said.

A solid plan

Law is convinced that Enzo “will shine as a good actor if given more projects. He is still young, and if he stays true to his craft, he’ll have a long way to go. I know he has the drive because he told me he really wants to become an actor. As long as his passion is there and he continues to learn, he’ll be able to make a name for himself in the industry.”

Law said he appreciates that, for his age, Enzo already has a solid plan. “He knows what he wants to be. He has a plan for himself and his mom. In his interviews, he would say that he wants to be a millionaire and plans to pursue a steady career in this industry. I’m sure his passion will take him places. That’s what I like about him. He has already seen his future,” Law added.

“Enzo is a good kid. He really wants to help his mother. I hope he will be guided well by the people he will work with in the future. I also hope that money will not be his center. He should strengthen his foundation as an artist. I am so proud of Enzo,” the director declared.

Enzo started acting at age 4 as a cast member of the series “Ilustrado.” He was also part of “On the Wings of Love,” “Pulang Araw” and the soon-to-be released “Bagman Season 3.”