Why is Martin Escudero jumping?

If you were in his shoes, I’m sure you would, too jump with joy, that is.

Why shouldn’t Martin Escudero, 21, be on Cloud 9 when he’s getting rave reviews for his role as a macho-guy-turned-gay in Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington, which was one of the closing films of the recent Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival at the CCP, by the all-writer production arm of Origin8 Media (directed by Jade Castro who co-wrote the story/screenplay with Michiko Yamamoto and Raymond Lee, the producer).

Times have changed. Back then, straight actors were homophobic about playing gay roles which used to be monopolized by gay actors (who were therefore almost playing themselves, not acting at all). These days, more and more actors, young and old, are ready, willing and able to be happy and gay, and Dennis Trillo must have unwittingly led the way to this new horizon when he became a star after playing a cross-dresser (with a kissing scene with Jay Manalo) in Regal Films’ Aishite Imasu after the original choices (Patrick Garcia and Onemig Bondoc among them) said no way, thank you!

The younger set seems to be more daring  and baring  and not afraid to rush in where older, “angelic” actors fear to tread.

As Remington, Martin (who used to be simply Mart at GMA where he topped a StarStruck search) engages in a lips-to-lips kissing with newcomer Kerbie Zamora (from Jonas Gaffud’s roster of Mercator talents) who plays Martin’s buddy Jigs to whom he gets more attracted than to his childhood sweetheart (played by Lauren Young).

“It’s better and safer than kissing a real-gay actor,” Martin told Funfare, adding that he learned the nuances of a gay person from his manager, Popoy Caritativo. “Mahirap kung lalaki sa lalaki pero mas mahirap kung bading talaga ang ka-kissing mo. Even if you are straight, people could suspect you of being one or may tendency, but I’m not worried. I know myself; I know what I want.”

Kerbie echoed the same opinion, claiming that, like Martin, it’s his first time to kiss another guy and that he has never done it  “And never will,” he joked  in real life. It’s Kerbie’s first foray into the movies, four years after he finished as a semi-finalist in Bench’s Be Bench contest won by Carlo (now Carl) Guevarra (and Regine Angeles).

Glennifer Perido of San Pablo City, Laguna

“Other young actors are doing it, so walang dapat ipag-worry,” said Kerbie, presumably referring to Rocco Nacino and Paulo Avelino (who has moved from Kapuso to Kapamilya) who have a beautifully-choreographed love scene in Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa, another Cinemalaya entry.

Now a TV5 talent, Martin has done only one Kapatid soap so far, the Susan Roces starrer Babaing Hampaslupa, and a few movies in “supporting” roles (Kung Ako Na Lang Sana; Malikmata; and Shake, Rattle & Roll XII).

With the good reviews, Martin said that he felt “vindicated.” Rated PG-13 without cuts by the MTRCB, Zombadings got a grade-A from Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) which commended Kerbie as “a natural actor” and Martin as “a truly brave actor for letting it all out for his art.”

(Note: Also starring Janice de Belen, Eugene Domingo, John Regala, Odette Khan, Angelina Kanapi, Mar Cabico, Daniel Fernando and Leandro Baldemor, Zombadings will have a premiere at 8 o’clock tonight at SM Megamall. Regular showing nationwide starts tomorrow, Aug. 31.)

Catrine Rosary Ocampo, a UST coed

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The candidates for the first ever (2011) Miss Casino Filipino were presented to the press over the weekend, three of them “veteran,” namely:

• Glennifer Perido, 22, a registered nurse and freelance ramp/commercial model from San Pablo City, Laguna. She has won several titles such as Bb. Laguna 2009 and was one of the candidates in the 2011 Bb. Pilipinas pageant won by Shamcey Supsup who is now competing in the 2011 Miss Universe contest in Brazil (grand finals on Sept. 12).

• Catrine Rosary Ocampo, a 5’8” UST coed and semi-finalist in the 2011 Miss Philippines-Earth contest, whose mission is to help less-fortunate children who cannot afford to go to school.

• Reina Atienza Cuneta, a 25-year-old nursing graduate and freelance ramp/print/commercial model from Makati, who was a former Miss Romblon and a 2009 Miss Philippines-Earth contestant.

The winner will be chosen on Sept. 3 at the Pagcor Theater in Parañaque City. A cash donation corresponding to the prize money of the five winners will be given to their chosen charity organization.

 Reported by Funfare’s ‘beauty experts’ Felix Manuel, Joey Cezeare, Gery Yumping and Francis Calubaquib

Reina Atienza Cuneta of Makati City

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