The blossoming of Martin Escudero

MARTIN ESCUDERO: Pleasantly surprised by rave review

Martin Escudero himself was caught by surprise by the rave reviews for the indie film “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington.”

The “Starstruck” winner told Inquirer Entertainment that he didn’t expect the rousing audience response when the campy comedy was premiered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (as the closing film of Cinemalaya) last month.

Martin recounted: “I was shocked but very happy. I didn’t expect that. At first, I was scared because I didn’t know how the viewers would react to it.”

A ‘revelation’

Moviegoers embraced Martin as the conflicted teener Remington who, as a child, was cursed by an aging gay (portrayed riotously by Roderick Paulate)—that he would also turn queer when he grew up.

Critics described him as a “revelation.”

Martin recalled that he never imagined he’d ever get to work with Orign8, the same team behind the indie hit “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros.” (“Zombadings” was directed by Jade Castro and written by Jade, Raymond Lee and Michiko Yamamoto.)

“I was 13 when I saw ‘Maximo.’ Back then I wished I could play a similar role. It’s a dream come true to work with Raymond, Michiko and Jade,” said Martin.

Remington seems to be a grown-up version of Maximo. It’s like the once budding bading is now in full bloom.

To prepare for Remington, Martin viewed DVDs of various gay films. “I watched a lot of old Roderick Paulate comedies like ‘Bala at Lipstick.’ I studied Dennis Trillo’s acting in ‘Aishte Masu: 1941’ and Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes in ‘To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar.’”

Martin admitted that, more than the slinky baby tees he had to wear and the quirky kissing scenes with another hunk (Kerbie Zamora), mastering “swardspeak” was the bigger challenge.

In a hilarious bathroom scene, he spews out such words as “twaley, fosey, doorlalu, inidora-the-explorer-de-chenebelles and timbaleigh” in machine-gun fashion.

Careful study

“I carefully studied how to deliver those lines,” Martin said. “I asked help from gay members of the staff. They taught me how to pronounce those words … with conviction.”

Costar Roderick was a big help, too. “We had worked together in the [GMA 7 soap] ‘Rosalinda.’ For this one, he gave me tips on moving and talking like a gay man.”

This is Martin’s first gay role, but he’s not scared of being typecast. “I’d try any character for as long as it is challenging,” he said. “Other actors, like Roderick and Dolphy, ended up specializing in gay roles because they are so good and convincing at it. It would be my honor to be in their company.”

Martin, who moved to TV5 recently, is looking forward to more exciting projects, especially after “Zombadings” opens in commercial theaters on August 31.

“We waited so long for this. We hope more people will enjoy the movie,” he said. In the works for him is a part in “Shake, Rattle & Roll XIII.”

The Love Yourself Project benefit screening of “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa” and “Zombadings” will be held on August 23 at SM Megamall Cinema 9 at 7 and 9 p.m. It is a fundraiser for HIV/AIDs awareness.

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