Eric Quizon on a merry-gay-round

While other actors consider it professional suicide, Eric blithely jumps in and out of gay characters with remarkable success. ‘I’m secure with my sexuality,’ he says.

He has long sashayed out of the closet and dared where "angels" fear to tread, exploring and breaking grounds most actors, whether local or foreign, shun like a quagmire.

On the big screen, that is.

Eric Quizon has been on a merry-"gay"-round, jumping in and out of gay characters, and he has gotten away with it with flying colors.

His baptism was in the hilarious dramedy Pusong Mamon, directed by Joel Lamangan (from whom Eric took over when Joel suffered a stroke halfway through the shoot), where he played a chef living in with Albert Martinez (as an advertising executive) and eventually forming a menage-a-trois with Albert’s girlfriend (played by Lorna Tolentino).

A GMA telesine, Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Amor, followed, where Eric reprised the role his father, Dolphy played in the Lino Brocka classic 1979 comedy-drama Ang Tatay Kong Nanay, the story of a gay beauty parlor owner who takes care of his lover’s (Phillip Salvador) son (Niño Muhlach). In the GMA teleplay, Cogie Domingo played the Niño role.

Then came Markova: Comfort Gay, directed by Gil Portes, which won for Eric and Dolphy Best Actor plums at the Brussels International Film Festival. Based on a true story, Markova also starred Eric’s younger brother Jeffrey Quizon and the three of them, father and sons, portrayed Markova in the different stages of his life, with Eric as Markova at his prime.

In the GMA soap Sana Ay Ikaw na Nga, Eric played the repressed closet-queen son of a rich family – "Straight-acting pero bading siya" is how Eric described the role.

And now, in Regal Films’ all-star cast movie I Will Survive (directed by Joel Lamangan), Eric plays one of the four mothers, including Maricel Soriano, Dina Bonnevie and Judy Ann Santos – "A gay playing straight in front of his young children," Eric said, "and who meets a tragic end."

Other actors, both here and in Hollywood, are scared to death of playing a gay role. They think it’s professional suicide, you know. But you are not, obviously.

"When I was younger and just starting in my career, I was scared, too. But now, it doesn’t bother me anymore. You know, you all start as the matinee-idol type and you have to comply with what your fans want you to do. So, you play only the roles that please your fans – you know, the Prince Charming type of roles, mga knights-in-shining-armour type."

And now, you’re playing roles that you like to play, that you enjoy doing.

"I have reached a point in my career where I can take risks. I’m 37 and I’m way past the matinee-idol stage. Off-beat roles are more challenging."

And, of course, you’re not worried about any "repercussion" these off-beat roles would have on your person.

"I’m over and above that ‘worry’ already. Even when I was just starting, they saw tassles on my shoes and they thought they were red and concluded that I was gay. No matter what you do or say, people will believe what they want to believe. If you say you’re not, they won’t believe you; if you say yes, ‘I am!,’ wala lang, they’ll just stop making tsismis about you. So, bahala sila sa buhay nila. Besides, I don’t owe anybody any explanation; you don’t have to justify or to explain who you are or what you are."

Meaning, just go ahead – be happy and gay! How did you internalize the various/varied gay roles you’ve done so far? Iba-iba sila. A whole menagerie of colorful gay characters. Let’s start with Pusong Mamon, which was reminiscent of Ang Lee’s Wedding Banquet.

"The guidance of direk Joel helped a lot. In the beginning, I was a bit scared of what I was doing; I was nervous. My nervousness actually helped in my characterization. It was the first time, e. What I did was use my nervousness in my acting. You know, lumalambot ang mga kamay ko, nanginginig ang mga kamay ko, and it fitted the character perfectly."

What about in Markova?

"Iba naman ang attack; it was more touching your feminine side. Everybody has a feminine side and a masculine side. What I did was delve into my feminine side because Markova believed that he wasn’t a gay or a man but a woman trapped in a man’s body."

In Sana ay Ikaw na Nga.

"My gay character was repressed, some kind of a voyeur. Ako kasi, may pagka-voyeur. Gusto ko ‘yung concept na naninilip. Parang I get turned on by that. My character in Sana enjoys watching people do it than he himself doing it."

In Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Amor.

"I played a nanay role, inspired by Ang Tatay Kong Nanay. I played a screaming gay – the parlorista/palengkera type."

Did you draw from your dad’s performance in the Brocka movie?

"Oh, yes, I did. I saw the movie and I think it’s one of my Dad’s best performances. I loved that movie, so that’s the reason why I did that. Na-inspire ako."

And now, in I Will Survive.

"The gay character is entirely different. You know, masaya lang siya; basta masaya lang. It’s hard in the sense that I have to consider my kids – you know, how to tell them that I’m gay. Magkahalong mature/adult na single mother and at the same time happy-go-lucky."

How did you feel about your lips-to-lips kissing scene with Albert in Pusong Mamon?

"Of course, it was scary. First time kasi, e. Albert felt the same way, too. Before the ‘take,’ Albert and I finished a bottle of wine. Pareho kaming first time na gagawin ‘yon."

Your dad is a veteran in playing this kind of character which sticks to him like a second skin. Do you get pointers from him?

"Actually, he never gives me any pointers. All he reminds me of, in general, is to watch my timing, watch this and watch that, just be yourself. The Markova role was hard to portray because I had to wear a corset, a girdle and high-heeled shoes. And I had to lose weight to fit into the costume. The costume helps. Kapag naka-costume ka na, feel na feel mo na ‘yung character. ‘Yung fake long nails na nilagay sa akin, they helped ‘soften’ my fingers; mas malambot ang pilantik nila."

Among your dad’s gay roles (Jack en Jill, Facifica Falayfay, Fefita Fofonggay, Omeng Satanasia, etc.), which is your favorite?

"Facifica Falayfay, Fefita Fofonggay and Ang Tatay Kong Nanay which, I think, is his best performance ever. He should have won a Best Actor award for that. They should have given him the award."’

Among straight actors (Michael de Mesa, Eddie Garcia and Ronaldo Valdez, among them), playing gay roles, who do you think is the best?

"Si Ricky Davao, in Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya. He was very good in that movie. Subtle ang performance; very real-life."

Among Hollywood actors naman (Tom Hanks as a person with AIDS in Philadelphia, etc.), who’s the best?

"Basta, my favorite is Kevin Spacey."

His sexuality is, well, "suspect."

"But ever since American Beauty, nag-iba ang public perception sa kanya. I admire his attitude in life. He’s not defensive about anything. Sige lang siya nang sige. Doing his craft, enjoying his craft. Walang pakialam sa mundo!"

Johnny Depp was memorable as a drag queen in Before Night Falls.

"Sayang, I haven’t seen it. But I loved the way Al Pacino played his latent-gay character in Cruisin’, as a cop assigned to monitor the gay community of New York and he ends up being gay. Ang galing niya. d’un!"

What’s your dream gay role?

"You know, I want to do a dark character, like the stuff that they do in the States. ‘Yung character who penetrates the world of drug addicts. Para maiba naman."

Which actor would you like to have another love scene with?

"Any will do. It doesn’t matter. Basta mag-toothbrush lang before the shooting."

If ever you do a gay role with your dad, what sort would it be?

"If ever, maybe something na parang mentor ko siya. Something like Ang Tatay Kong Nanay pero tumanda na siya. ‘Yung anak niya, which I would play, parang tumanda na rin and he turns out to be also gay. Maganda, di ba?"

You finished a film course (in directing) at the New York Film Academy; and you’ve directed your dad in two movies (Daddy O, Baby O and Home Along da Riles). Any plan to direct him in another film?

"So far, none. People would ask me, ‘Who else would you like to direct?’ And I’d say, ‘After directing my Dad, parang wala na akong hihilingin pa.’ Parang I’ve already directed the ultimate Filipino actor. I’m not saying that because he’s my father but because I believe he’s a very good actor. Puwede mag-comedy, puwede mag-drama."

Any actresses you would like to direct?

"Si Maria (Maricel Soriano) at si Vilma (Santos)."

What do you admire most about your father?

"His humility. No matter how big and how important he is, he has remained humble. I realized lately that his words pala could mean so much – you know, generating front-page stuff for weeks on end. And also, his generosity. He’s a sucker for sob stories."

If you reach your dad’s age (76 on July 25), would you still be active in showbiz?

"No. I want to retire early. I just want to travel and relax. Ayokong tumanda na uugod-ugod na ako, na hindi ko na kayang alagaan ang sarili ko. I want to enjoy my retirement and live not really luxuriously by comfortably. You know, worry-free."

As far as travelling is concerned, you’re already doing it as co-host (with brother Jeffrey) of Road Trip (aired on RPN 9 Sundays at 4:30 p.m.). The show has been there for two years. You must have been to more than 100 places (52 episodes a year multiplied by two).

"So far, mga 90 places pa lang."

What’s the best place you’ve been to so far?

"Beijing. Because there’s so much history. There’s also Napa Valley (California) where they produce wine. One place that I enjoyed visiting was Corregidor. The island has so much to say about Philippine history. Everybody should visit it."

You don’t intend to stay single all your life, do you?

"You know, you can be single and fulfilled but it’s nice to have a partner, too."

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