Busong star didn't fake it

MANILA, Philippines - In Busong, one of the entries in the just-concluded Cinemalaya 2011 Philippine Independent Film Festival, Dax Alejandro plays Lulong, a father hoping that his dead child will come back. Directed by Aureaus Solito, Busong, with Alessandra de Rossi as female lead, was shown in the Directors Fortnight at last May’s Cannes Filmfest.

How did you show your being a father in your portrayal?

“I didn’t fake it. I treated my son the way I would as a father in the context of the character. I didn’t pretend para magustuhan niya. Natural lang ako. It wasn’t hard. As far as my character was concerned, his child didn’t die. Lulong is a hopeful person.”

Describe Lulong.

“Lulong is a fisherman, a loving parent and a disciplinarian. He has simple wants. Mataas ang EQ (Emotional Quotient) niya. He believes in the equality of people regardless of their economic or social standing. He belongs to a royal-blooded tribe in Palawan and he has a big responsibility not only to his family but also to his tribe. He has a strong faith.”

How did you prepare for the role, physically and emotionally?

“I studied how to swim and how to row a boat. Nagpaitim ako, nagpahaba ng buhok, nagpahaba ng kuko. I didn’t shampoo my hair for 10 days. Kung puwede nga lang hindi ako mag-toothbrush gagawin ko rin, but I was worried that my teeth might be destroyed.

“Emotionally, I studied the character carefully. I tried to imagine what inspired him, what his goals were, and what touched and pleased him. I imagined myself as a Palaweño na may anak, miembro ng tribu, a fisherman and married.”

What was your hardest scene in the movie?

“All my scenes were hard, but the hardest was the one where I was slapped by Cris Haywood (an Australian actor) who plays a French oppressor. Tiniis ko yung sakit. That scene shows that even if the tribe members are oppressed, they fight back not with violence but silence, hindi dahas ang sagot nila sa karahasan.”

What did you learn from direk Aureaus?

“Direk Aureaus taught me na dapat buo ‘yung character ko so that I could react properly in the situation called for sa eksena. Pulido siya mag-direk. Solid.”