When actors play themselves

JUAN Karlos Labajo should focus on being natural and believable. PHOTO BY RODEL ROTONI

Last Sept. 27, we were able to watch two “biographical” dramas on TV, in which the lead actors portrayed themselves.

On “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” Juan Karlos Labajo, “The Voice Kids” finalist, melodramatically recalled his sad life thus far, including the death of his beloved mother. And, on “Magpakailanman,” handsome cop and male pageant winner Mariano Flormata Jr. played himself as an adult, after other younger actors personified him as a child and youth.

The unexpected experience of observing “real” people portraying themselves was an instructive and cautionary one on different levels.

On “Magpakailanman,” the handsome cop turned in his “autobiographical” performance only towards the end of the telecast, so his participation was relatively minimal and we couldn’t really tell if he could be developed into a good actor.

Still, it was a relief to see a kayumanggi actor on the screen after so many tisoys have been lording it over the local drama scene. So, we hope that the cop-turned-performer will be able to pass muster as an actor in future assignments.

On “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” on point of clear contrast, Juan Karlos was given much more exposure and involvement in strongly melodramatic scenes, the better to fast-start his stellar ascent. Unfortunately, the scenes from his young but very sad life were so tragic and weepy that his portrayal ended up being quite over-the-top.

We know that some of the painful events detailed in the episode actually happened to the poor boy, but they were “pushed” so much for emotional effect that they occasionally came off as exploitative.

Juan Karlos also had the tendency to wipe his tears away in turgidly melodramatic scenes, self-consciously underscoring the fact that he could really cry. In real life, when we weep from the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, we don’t have to call attention to the fact that we are suffering so much and the tears just flow, no “highlighting” needed.

If Juan Karlos really wants to become an exceptional young actor, he should tone down his tendency to be porma and cute. He’s already good-looking, so he should focus on being absolutely natural and believable, instead.

Another note: His eyes tend to look not as expressive of his inner feelings as they should. His gaze is sometimes “hooded,” so he should learn how to “hide” less and make his eyes the “windows” to his soul that actors’ eyes are supposed to be.

All told, however, Juan Karlos did score some thespic points on “MMK.”

But, if he really wants to do better work, he should get rid of the thespic mannerisms and self-conscious “decorations” that are getting in the way of his major thespic success, this early in the game.

Relatively undemanding

As for Flormata, his “self-portrayal” in “Magpakailanman” was just a mild and relatively undemanding “introductory” role, so he has to try much harder in his follow-up performance.

Since he’s a cop in real life, it’s logical to expect that his next and more demanding acting assignment should be in a drama where he is again playing a cop—but, not as himself.

Instead, the policeman should be involved in conflicts that honest, young cops are often forced to contend with.

If the drama is well-written and directed, it could realistically inspire viewers, especially young people, to face up to the tests and challenges in their own lives and make its new star a real thespic comer.