Christopher de Leon's Staying power

When told of the names of the actors we interviewed in the past (Dennis Trillo, Piolo Pascual, among others), who unabashedly declared him as their idol, the seasoned actor mused, "I'm flattered and humbled by that. Ako naman gusto ko maging parang si Dolphy, matanda na pero umaarte pa."

I remember veteran Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall took offense when journalists called the Oscar-winning Nicole Kidman a legend by pointedly saying Nicole had to be older to warrant such distinction. But Christopher, who's still very leading man material, has already been deemed legendary for taking on roles that are poised to withstand the test of time-beginning with his breakthrough character as a small-town boy turned sensitive grown-up in the Lino Brocka film "Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang."

With award-winning exploits spanning three decades, Christopher said he now finds himself willing to do anything, including a portrayal uncharacteristic of him in the dark comedy "Nasaan Si Francis?" by Unico Entertainment, in association with Unitel Pictures, and Crazy Angle Production.

"The role is out of character for me. But this is the kind of role that perks me up as an actor. I can't be doing the same old thing over and over-the tycoon, patriarch the usual roles. This one is a first time-I play a funny, big-time drug dealer," he shared with a laugh. These days, he also added that he feels more compelled to veer away from doing films with "human despair or melancholy" as prevailing themes. "I want to make movies that uplift the spirits," said Christopher, who has figured in over a hundred films to date.

Christopher maximizes his role with a "Hey, I'm big time" kind of swagger, an open shirt, an improvised dance routine and a naturally comical delivery. "I had no preparation for the role. I just read the script, memorized the lines, dressed up the character and went for it," said Christopher, who together with Epy Quizon and Ricky Davao, graced an advance screening of the film here at SM City Cebu

Christopher is no stranger to Cebu, which he has visited time and again since his bachelor days. "I really, really love the place. I go scuba-diving here. I have a lot of friends here. I like the lifestyle of Cebuanos and the fact that in 30 minutes, you're in the beach."

In his recent visit to Cebu, he also launched his debut album under Viva Records titled Mga Awit Pelikula Ni Christopher de Leon, which is made up of popular songs written for movies that he starred in.

He summed up these surprising twists in his enduring 35-year career. "I am on a crossroads," he laughed, then grew a bit serious. "Well, I think I have reached a point wherein I can say that entertaining is no longer a job that has to be done, but something that I really want to do. I want to make people smile and laugh and touch their hearts."

Is he looking into mentoring young actors soon? Though he revealed that a lot has solicited his advice on how to secure staying power in the business, he said that passion would get you far. "Just do and love your work," he put it succinctly.

"Actually, I envy the young actors right now, because they are handled better by big talent outfits, before kami kanya-kanya lang." He, however, lamented the shortage of job opportunities for actors nowadays. He waxed nostalgic recalling the explosive movie scene then with 200 films churned out a year-and directed by such master storytellers as Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Celso Ad. Castillo, Mike de Leon, Eddie Romero, etcetera.

"Now we're down to below 50 a year," he said. "Though magaganda naman yung pinapalabas ngayon, bihira ang mga pelikula na classic that Filipinos can relate to." Still, Christopher remains optimistic with the presence of new ideas and new blood that are increasingly counted on to send ripples of concrete change in the filmmaking landscape, and when that happens, he definitely wants to be part of all that action.