Joseph Marco’s star continues to shine

JOSEPH Marco, Rayver Cruz and Matteo Guidicelli, best actors (Currents)

Joseph Marco said he had to watch films that tackled developmental disability before he agreed to take on the role of simple-minded Elai in the ongoing ABS-CBN drama “Honesto.”

“The writers told me that Elai is somewhere between the normal person and Budoy. I had no idea how to portray him, especially since the cast didn’t go to any acting workshop before we began taping,” Joseph told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

(Budoy, a boy with a mental condition called Angelman syndrome, was played by Gerald Anderson in a Kapamilya drama series that aired in 2011.)

To prepare for his character, Joseph said he saw the films “I Am Sam” and “Forrest Gump,” both with lead characters that have developmental disability. “I did my own research because I felt pressured and didn’t want to embarrass myself. I wanted to make sure I did it right,” the 25-year-old actor said.

Joseph also made changes in the way he spoke. “My speaking voice is now a pitch higher, and the tone more singsong. My hair is also a perpetual mess, my mouth, always half-open. This is so tiring to the jaw. I got used to playing Elai after a while, thanks to the patience and support of my director (Jerry Sineneng).”

“Honesto,” which features Raikko Mateo in the lead role, premiered on ABS-CBN in October. Joseph said he was grateful for the opportunity to play Elai because “a role like this gives an actor the opportunity to show his versatility. I myself didn’t realize that I could do it until I received good feedback from Direk.”

Promoting honesty

Joseph said he was pleased that the program reminded viewers of the importance of honesty. “You promote it every day through the show so it sort of makes you more conscious of what you say on and off cam. That’s actually a good thing.” This was also why Joseph said people should believe him when he swore that he and “Kung Mawawala Ka” costar Empress Schuck were merely “close friends.”

He explained, “I like her because she’s pretty, kind, intelligent and talented. However, I just want to focus on my career right now. I admit to have gone out with Empress before, but always with a big group. We still communicate, but don’t get to see each other anymore with our busy schedule.”

The actor said he preferred a conservative girl who “doesn’t go out much to party, someone who is God-fearing and who considers her family her top priority.”

Joseph, who started as a ramp and commercial model, first joined show business three years ago via the GMA 7 series “La Vendetta.” The five-foot-nine actor added, “I didn’t expect to eventually become an actor. However, this is where I discovered my passion. I trained hard by attending acting workshops—they helped me overcome shyness.”

In 2010, Joseph transferred to the Kapamilya network and was included in the cast of “Sabel.” He played Leandros Panaligan opposite Empress’ character, Iris Diomedes, in “Huwag Kang Mawawala.”

Best actor

For his performance in the movie “Saturday Night Chills,” Joseph tied with his two costars (Matteo Guidicelli and Rayver Cruz) for best actor at the 2013 Cinema One Originals.

Joseph appears with Ejay Falcon in the Toto Natividad action flick “Saka Saka,” an entry in the New Wave category of the 2013 Metro Manila Film Festival, ongoing until December 24.

“The award was unexpected,” Joseph said, stressing that he was likewise not hoping for another acting trophy for “Saka Saka.” “I’ve worked on this film over a year ago, before I did ‘Kung Mawawala Ka’ where I started to feel more comfortable in front of the camera. To be nominated for ‘Saka Saka’ is considered a bonus.”

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