Christian Bables believes awards, box-office sales are crucial in film’s success
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Christian Bables during the press conference for MMFF entry “Broken Heart’s Trip.” Image: Facebook/Broken Hearts Trip Movie
It’s inevitable for an award-winning actor like Christian Bables to feel a certain composure when he takes on a project. But despite winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) before, Bables opts to be hopeful for the success of the entry “Broken Heart’s Trip,” where he’s the lead star.
During a press conference for the MMFF film entry, Bables said that if he had the option to choose between an award and high ticket sales for “Broken Heart’s Trip,” he would choose “both.”
The MMFF entry takes the form of a reality game show, with Bables, Jaclyn Jose and Tart Carlos as the “judgers” and wherein five LGBT contestants are given the chance to heal from their respective heartbreaks by going on a trip to different locations in the Philippines.
“Kung pwede both, both. Kasi ‘yung box office, para ‘yun sa mga sumugal at nagtiwala sa potential ng pelikula. ‘Yung award, recognition naman ‘yun para sa hard work na ginawa ng actors, director, at lahat [ng mga involved]. Kung pwede both, both. Kung papiliin ako ng isa, huwag na lang,” he said.
(If I can choose both, I would choose both. A box office is for those who trusted in the film’s potential, while an award is a recognition of the hard work put in by the actors, director, and production staff. If I can choose both, then both. If I could choose one, then I’d rather not.)
When asked about the possibility of winning his second Best Actor award, Bables said with a bashful smile that he “did his best” and that he is not expecting anything. The actor previously bagged the coveted award for his work in the film “Big Night” in 2021.
Article continues after this advertisementBables also won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Barbs in the 2016 film “Die Beautiful,” which also starred Paolo Ballesteros.
“Sa lahat ng mga pelikulang ginagawa ko, hindi ko ine-expect kung mananalo ako or hindi. I do my best as an actor. Sana,” he said. “Kung ipagkakaloob ni God, at ng pagkakataon, thank you. Kung hindi, alam kong mas deserved ng mananalo kung hindi man ako ‘yun.”
(In all of the films I have done in the past, I never expected to win or not. I do my best as an actor. But I hope so. If God and fate allow me to win, thank you. If not, I know the person who will win is deserving even if it’s not me.)
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Bables also stressed that the intention of “Broken Heart’s Trip” is to help heartbroken viewers heal. “We promised to make people happy and, at the same time, realize something about themselves, about their pain and healing,” he said.
With this in mind, the actor was immediately poised to answer if he ever experienced heartbreak at some point in his life. He admitted that he has been through “so much” that it’s almost impossible to pinpoint which hurts the most—although his failed attempt to get someone to be his girlfriend is probably the most unforgettable for him.
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“Nagpaligaw kasi siya tapos sabi niya sasagutin niya ako kapag prom. Binibitbit ko ang gamit, binibigyan ko siya ng bunwich, hinahatid ko siya sa kanila. Tapos noong prom na, sinagot niya ako ng no. Ang tagal niyang hinayaan akong gawin ‘yun,” he said. “Hanggang ngayon, ginagamit ko siya ngayon sa acting [ko] kasi nare-relive ko ‘yung pain.”
(She allowed me to court her, then promised to give her yes at the prom. I carried her things, gave her a sandwich, and brought her home safely. Then when prom arrived, she said no despite making me do all those things for her. Until now, I still use this experience in my acting because it helps me recall the pain.)
Bables, however, immediately laughed when he was asked if he’s currently in a relationship and if he was ever heartbroken recently.
“Masaya naman tayo (I’m happy). I’m always in love. I am not in a relationship. Sa heartbreak, months pa lang (In terms of heartbreak, it’s been months),” he said, without disclosing any details.
