Christopher de Leon, festival actor

In terms of number of entries and variety of roles, Christopher de Leon’s Metro Manila Film Festival record is matchless. Christopher has been joining the Metro filmfest since the ’70s and is still part of it. His entry this year is Maverick Films’ Magkaibigan, written and directed by Joey Reyes and also starring Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Maricel Laxa and Dawn Zulueta.

Consider Boyet’s filmfest entries through the years. In no particular order and by no means complete: Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon, Bato-bato sa Langit, Bahay-bahayan, Kasal-kasalan, Imortal, Dekada, Mano Po 2 & 3, Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising, God Save Me, Gaano Kita Kamahal, Kung Mawawala Ka Pa, Nasaan ang Puso, Haplos, Bulaklak ng Maynila and Banal.

Some of these movies gave Boyet Best Actor awards from the Metro Manila filmfest and other film groups. Name the role and the actor has done it: Comedy, action, offbeat, hero, villain and dramatic. He is the unchallenged Drama King for decades.

His role in Magkaibigan was inspired by the late Rudy Fernandez, best friend of Jinggoy and also his good friend. Also in the cast are Empress Schuck, AJ Perez, Ryan Julio and Justine Plummer.

Come to think of it, Boyet’s directorial debut was a Metro filmfest entry in 1987, the komiks episode of the twinbiller Halimaw, starring his son Ian de Leon. It was the topgrosser that year.