Maryo J.’s way with kids

"I am a kid at heart," admitted direk Maryo J. delos Reyes. "I will forever be a kid."

That’s why, as showbiz-watchers know by now, Maryo is in his element when he’s directing kid actors, such as in his widely-praised latest work, Violett Films’ Magnifico, which is said to be his best so far.

"It’s easier and more fun to direct kid actors than adult actors," added Maryo. "They’re pure and they don’t have prejudices at all. And they’re natural actors."

Of the 80-plus films he has directed since the early ’70s, Maryo (who turned his back to the call of God and got out of the seminary to answer the call of art) considered his films featuring the young and tackling themes about the young as his top favorites, like his early works High School Circa and Bagets. The 20-million tear-jerker drama Magnifico should now top his list.

By this time, you should know what Magnifico is all about: An eight-year-old boy (played by nine-year-old Jiro Manio) who’s so good with such a positive outlook in life for one so young that he should be canonized as a little saint. Part of the thrill in watching the movie and crying over practically every scene is watching the heart-wrenching and heart-warming story unfold, so I’m not going to elaborate on the plot and just let you find out for yourself.

Magnifico, written by Michiko Yamamoto, won first prize at the 2000 Film Development Foundation scriptwriting contest for which Maryo sat as one of the judges.

"I cried when I read the script," recalled Maryo. "Ang ganda-ganda ng message: Belief in the inherent goodness of man and strength of the human spirit."

When Maryo presented the script to Violeta Sevilla of Violett Films, the neophyte producer said yes right away, giving Maryo total freedom to do things the way he pleased.

"I salute Madam Violet for agreeing to go out of the formula," said Maryo. "We intended the project for the Metro Filmfest last December even if we had initial doubts. You know, paano ka lalaban sa ibang entries? Our film has no special effects; all it has to offer is a heart. It’s a simple family movie with a heart, may puso."

As you very well know, Magnifico didn’t make it to the Metro Filmfest’s "Magic 7," never mind if the criterion for the judging is a good (meaning quality) screenplay. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Now with Magnifico being praised to high heavens, with millions out there hopefully waiting to troop to the theaters when it opens next Wednesday (Feb. 12), Maryo and company are having their sweet revenge. There is a God, after all.

Maryo didn’t have any difficulty finding the actor for the title role.

"Jiro was my first and only choice. I saw him in La Vida Rosa (the Rosanna Roces-Diether Ocampo film) and I was convinced that he was my star. He was so good in that bus scene with Rosanna. I like Jiro’s candidness, his effortless acting and his ordinary looks. He’s so unaffected. On the set, in-between takes, he would play with other kids around, even those not included in the movie. Even now that he’s being praised for his acting in Magnifico, wala pa rin siyang ere, level-headed pa rin siya. He’s not affected by all the attention."

Maryo easily identified with the Magnifico character.

"Like Magnifico, I’m close to my mother. Mababaw din ang luha ko. Remember Madame Imelda Marcos’ Hearts for Valentine project several years ago? It was raining hearts! Nang makita ko ’yon, iyak ako nang iyak; I was touched. The basic goodness in a person never fails to move me – you know, mga taong nagbibigay na walang hinihintay na kapalit."

Maryo, with Michiko’s help and consent, made some changes in the script, retaining 70 percent of Michiko’s original work. Originally, the role of Gloria Romero as the lola was a lolo (the story is about Michiko’s close relationship with her own lolo); he funeral parlor owner was a man (in the movie, the character was turned into a woman, played by Celia Rodriguez who suggested the idea to Maryo); and the girl-lolo theme became a boy-lola theme.

Most, if not all, members of the cast are soap stars (Albert Martinez as the father, Lorna Tolentno as the mother, Cherry Pie Picache, Amy Austria, Tonton Gutierrez, etc.), so Maryo had to remind them to "tone down a bit"; soap-acting requires some exaggeration while movie-acting has to be subdued.

Already, there are reports that Magnifico might compete in international film festivals, starting with the Cannes Filmfest this May.

As some kind of an "endorsement," I am printing a letter sent to Funfare by my Toronto-based "international correspondent" Ferdinand Lapuz:

Dear Ricky,

Hi! I’m back in Toronto and it was very unfortunate that we did not meet during my one-month vacation. Many people think that since you labeled me as your International Correspondent that we are very good friends. They are surprised when I tell them that we haven’t met in person yet.

I think you were in Cebu when I was asked by direk Mel Chionglo to go with them to the residence of The Philippine STAR columnist and patron of the art Danny Dolor in Lipa City for the town fiesta.

Aside from direk Mel, others who joined us were directors Joel Lamangan, Jeffrey Jeturian and Boots Plata; PAMI officials Ethel Ramos, June Torrejon, Girlie Rodis, Dolor Guevarra and Manny Valera; journalists Nora Calderon and Ronald Constantino; writer Bing Lao; producer and production designer Tatus Aldana.

I was very fortunate to have watched the preview of the film Magnifico, produced by Violett Films and directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes. Direk Maryo invited me to the preview held at Road Runner last Jan. 22 at 10 p.m. I was even hesitant to attend the sceening because I had go home to my parents’ house in Angeles City everyday. We ended up watching the film at around 1 in the morning!

I am very glad that I did not miss the chance of watching the best of direk Maryo. Wala yatang hindi naiyak. I was in the group of direk Mel Chionglo, Tito Ed Instrella, Magnifico star Albert Martinez, GMA VP for News Affairs Ellen Ongkiko, UP Film professor and director Joven Velasco, a Congressman whose name I don’t remember and staff of the film.

Someone said na parang burol ang aming pinuntahan dahil mugto lahat ang aming mga mata after the screening. The movie is very simple and very Filipino. The performances are first-rate: Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez, Tonton Gutierrez, Ms. Gloria Romero, Amy Austria, Cherry Pie Picache, Mark Gil, Danilo Barriors, Girlie Sevilla, Susan Africa, Cloyd Robinson, Alisson VII Gonzalez and the child actors Isabela de Leon, Joseph Robles and Jiro Manio, the most consistent and best child actor we have. Kudos to first-time writer Michiko Yamamoto.

I wish that Filipinos who are clamoring for a world-class quality Filipino film should watch Magnifico. I hope that it will find the audience it deserves not only in the Philippines but also in other countries.

Regards,

Ferdinand

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