Edgar Allan’s gay bro helped him with film role

Edgar Allan Guzman already did quite a number of gay roles in movies and TV dramas but playing the role of a closeted gay (or “pamhinta” in swardspeak) in “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” is something that he wanted to give a try since this is different from the loud and proud gay roles that he had portrayed.

“When this project was offered to me, it made me think twice at first since I seem to be getting mostly gay roles. But this has a different twist since it tells the story of a pamhinta. It’s a comedy but it also has drama,” said Edgar Allan in a recent interview.

He was quite confident that audiences will enjoy the movie. “It has a good script and when we were shooting, I felt that we had a good project in our hands. I felt how real the situations in the movie were. We must admit that the situations we presented in the movie can really happen in real life. Many people can relate to them.”

How does the actor feel that he and Michael Pangilinan (who interpreted the song “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” in the Himig Handog songwriting competition) are playing the lead stars in the film?

“I am proud of what I did and I am thankful to God that He gave this break to me. I would also like to thank Sir Noel (Ferrer, his manager) and Direk Joven Tan for choosing me to play the role of Mark. It feels good kasi dati kasama lang ako sa background, but this time the story is focused on me. I have a lot of scenes. Nakakasawa na ang mukha ko,” he said with a laugh.

He did very well in his role as a straight-acting gay guy and didn’t encounter a lot of difficulty.

“I had fun doing it, I swear. I love doing gay roles because I can do what I want. I can play with the character. Masarap humugot.”

When asked if he has a peg in playing gay roles, Edgar Allan proudly admitted he has an older brother who is gay. “I need not look far. I am proud to say na may brother ako na ganoon and siya ang peg ko sa lahat ng gay roles na ginagawa ko. Hindi na ako humahanap sa ibang tao. He is open and proud of what he is. I observe him – how he stands, how he moves, how he talks.”

In fact, Edgar said, he didn’t have a hard time in doing the scene where he finally revealed his true self to Michael’s character (who plays his best friend Red), that he is actually gay and is in love with him.

“That was shot on our last day. Direk Joven asked me if I was ready for the scene and I said yes. He blocked the scene and told me bahala na ako how I want to do it.  Direk Joven told me he wants me to cry like a kid who admitted to his parents that he has done something. It was done in one take and just needed another take for another angle. Naitawid naman namin,” Edgar Allan said.

He is not afraid of being boxed in. “I don’t guess there is something wrong in being typecast since being typecast means you are effective in the role that you are playing. You excel in that role. I enjoy doing gay roles but I am sure of my sexuality. Lalaki ako,” said Edgar with a chuckle.

He has high regard for the members of the LGBT, not only because he has been playing their roles on screen, but also because of his beloved sibling.

“Accepted namin ang brother ko for what he is. I never got mad at him. I didn’t look down on him when I learned that he is gay. In fact, I even loved him more because I understood him. I never had this feeling that I should distance myself from him because he is gay. I didn’t have that feeling towards my brother. I appreciated him and more so when I did this movie.”

What message can he give gays who are still in the closet? As manifested in his character in “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako,” it’s no easy task to come out.

“The closet is not the best place to be in. If you look at it, it is harder to be in the closet. What I want to tell them is go, come out kasi malaya na naman kayo eh. Hindi niyo na kailangan magtago. Kung ano ka talaga, lumabas ka, sabihin mo, magiging mas masaya ka kung ilalabas mo iyan at hindi mo itatago. Sa pagmamahal naman, go, yang pagmamahal, wala naman pinipiling kasarian iyan. Ngayon usong-uso na iyan, marami na yan kaya go! Go out and be proud of it.”

Since the story of “Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” centers on a closeted gay’s affection for his male friend, we asked Edgar some questions about issues that concerns gays.

What is his take on same-sex relationships and marriages? “It’s fine with me. Okay lang sa akin. Everyone deserves to be happy. I don’t have a problem when it comes to same-sex relationship or marriage.”

But he hasn’t experienced being courted by a gay, whether when he was still young or now that he is an adult. And he doesn’t think he will fall for someone gay.

“In the movie, I was the closet gay who fell for my friend but in real life that is unlikely to happen. But I don’t have problem with gays kasi they are talented people and they make us happy. They are fun to be with.”

“Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako” will be shown on June 8. The movie also stars Joross Gamboa, Matt Evans and Katrina Legaspi with the special participation of Ms. Nora Aunor and Ana Capri.