Actors weigh in on show biz’s long work hours

Waiting for long hours on the set has always been in the “job description” of local actors, directors and movie and TV crews. It’s ingrained in the industry already.

That’s why there’s even a show biz term for it : “tengga” (idle and waiting). And when the waiting is finally over, the term used is: last pung (short for last “punggol” which means “last sequence”).

To paraphrase the running joke: “Hindi lang sa EDSA may forever, pati sa movie/TV set.” But it’s really no laughing matter.

The extreme work load and ungodly hours took its toll on directors Wenn V. Deramas and Francis Xavier Pasion. Their sudden demise serves as a wake-up call for show biz folk to make radical changes in the system they have gotten immune to.

Working conditions better get better lest more directors or stars pack up and get their “call slip” from heaven sooner than later.

Actors weigh in on the raging issue:

John Estrada: This is the best time for the network to reconsider the working conditions of the staff, crew and artists on location. The untimely deaths of esteemed directors are not only a wake-up call, but a “shake-up” call for everyone in the industry.

I’d like to specifically point out the unhealthy working hours everyone involved in production adheres to. It’s as if we don’t have any respect for time, and our body clock just goes crazy.

We also have to consider the amount of stress these directors have, since they’re the captain of the ship, on top of everything that goes on.

The time is now. We urgently need to address or find alternate solutions to improve the working conditions of everyone involved in production. We’re putting people’s lives at stake here, and the more I think about it, the less I’m convinced it’s worth it.

Rita Avila: A director’s job is three times harder than an actor’s, since he or she is involved in so many things.

Adjusting to a more humane schedule for everyone (director, staff, crew and actors) may be financially costly, but can later be seen as a positive move for better development at work—and better care for human life.

ANDI Eigenmann

Andi Eigenmann: I believe that one of the main causes of our beloved directors’ unexpected passing is the fact that our working hours are just too much to handle.

The industry has been focusing more on the amount of work done than the welfare of the people involved and the quality of work that is being executed. It is about being aware of the fact that we can’t and won’t be able to function well and give our best.

If we all come together on this, there will always be better ways to ensure the well-being of everybody involved, and also the quality of the projects we work on to entertain our viewers. It begins with time management and professionalism on our end.

Isay Alvarez: I am still feeling the loss of our dear director-friends, but I guess some of us are just too hardworking and enjoying “while the sun shines.” It’s really up to us to take care of ourselves.

Watch what you eat because the food served on the set is not the healthy kind. Rest when there’s no taping. In other words, give yourself time to recover, otherwise you might just get sick.

We hope that we can make our working hours better. Seven to

12 hours can give the production ample time to finish scenes if everyone is prepared to stick to the schedule.

Robert Seña: So saddened for the loss of our director-friends. Fifteen hours of working time and healthy food are ideal, but it’s up to us actors to take care of ourselves. Eat right, rest and rejuvenate when not working. Most of all, travel.

YAYO Aguila

Yayo Aguila: It is a given fact that our industry has the most ungodly working hours. It is our duty to help ourselves recover and let our bodies adjust to the given situations.

But I hope those concerned will at least implement rules that would give us fair working hours, to make us more productive in the days to come.

GLYDEL Mercado

Glydel Mercado: Working hours should be just 12 to 14 hours maximum. In Hollywood, their shooting is limited to only eight hours per day. Fatigue and staying up till the wee hours are detrimental to our health. Even machines conk out when overused, what more our bodies?

We should also watch what we eat on the set. Usually, we just eat anything (even if it’s unhealthy) just to stay awake during shooting.

Ronnie Lazaro: Sacrifices have to be done for the cause of the “common” good.