John Lloyd Cruz doesn’t want to hype on his kissing scene with Luis Manzano |
| by Napoleon Quintos | August 27, 2009 8:58 AM | |
Ever since John Lloyd Cruz signed on to play a gay man in the Star Cinema offering In My Life co-starring Vilma Santos, many have been intrigued about the kissing scene involving him and the actor playing his lover in the film Luis Manzano. But at the press conference for the movie, John Lloyd admitted that he is concerned with the public’s overexcitement about the scene, which was shot at the Brooklyn Bridge in New York. “Natatakot kaming ma-label ‘yung eksena as ‘kissing scene.’ Hindi kasi siya basta kissing scene, it was an intimate scene. Napakaganda ng setting, hinintay talaga namin ‘yung tamang oras para ma-capture ‘yung the best lighting. Pinagsama-sama lahat ng factors and we were able to create a very beautiful scene. Sana kapag pumunta kayo sa sinehan hindi kayo nagaabang lang na ‘Uy! Magbra-brush na ‘yung lips nila!’ Sana makita niyo ‘yung tunay na intensyon ng eksena at ‘yung laman ng puso ng dalawang characters.”
Still the entertainment press was curious on how a straight man like John Lloyd handled the challenge of locking lips with his close buddy Luis for this movie. When asked how he found Luis’s lips, Lloydie answered, “Nung nandun ako sa moment na ‘yun, masasabi kong nagustuhan ni Noel (John Lloyd’s character) ‘yung halik ni Mark (Luis’s character). Siyempre hinahalikan niya ‘yung taong mahal niya. Parang sa movie na Never Been Kissed, si Drew Barrymore ay tumaas ang kanyang right leg nung mahalikan siya.”
Director Olivia Lamasan revealed that Luis’s mom Vilma was not present when the kissing scene was shot; the Star for All Seasons only saw the still photos shortly after the scene was done. “Wala si Ate Vi nung kunan ‘yung eksena na ‘yun. Malamig na kasi kaya kailangan na niya umuwi, ha ha ha! Maski ‘yung dalawang boys hindi nila alam na ‘yun na ang kukunan,” said the director.
John Lloyd is also proud that his character in In My Life has departed from the stereotypical gay onscreen characters. “Si Noel kung titingnan niyo hindi niyo aakalain na he’s gay. He’s not the typical gay na nakikita natin. Pero kapag nakita ko na siyang kasama ‘yung lalaking pinakamamahal niya dun lumalabas ‘yung pagmamahal at pagaasikaso. Kung baga sa babae e ‘nagbu-bloom’ si Noel kapag nandiyan ‘yung mahal niya. Ang instruction ni Direk Olive e si Noel dapat lalaki kung tingnan pero pusong babae. Sa language of love ni Noel makikita ‘yung pagiging gay niya.”
John Lloyd also said that moviegoers today are smarter so they can tell that he’s just playing a gay role. The multi-awarded young actor even played around with reporters to say that he is very much secure with his sexuality. “Alam niyo mga kapatid, every time may bubuuin akong character e binubuksan ko ang puso at isipan ko sa lahat ng bagay. Sa pagkakataong ito, bukas na bukas na po ‘yung sarili ko pero masasabing kong pareho pa rin ang gusto ko. Kung ano ‘yung gusto ko bago ko ginawa ang pelikulang ito e ‘yun pa rin ang gusto ko.”
Playing Noel in In My Life is an experience that John Lloyd will treasure. “This movie would have to be the most ‘insanely beautiful’ experience with another man. Late bloomer ako e,” he joked.
In My Life premieres nationwide on September 16. Log on to www.starcinema.com.ph and http://starcinema.multiply.com for the full screening schedule and other exclusives.
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