Joseph Marco touches the heart

MANILA, Philippines - “I want to focus on becoming a dramatic actor. It is the path I want to tread,” Joseph Marco says with conviction. That’s why the model-turned-actor is leaving no stone unturned, so to speak, in the ABS-CBN early primetime romantic drama Pure Love, a reinterpretation-adaptation of the Koreanovela 49 Days. Marco is bent on touching every televiewer’s heart.

“They (the production people) gave us the (freedom) whether to watch the entire series (49 Days) or not,” says Joseph of his preparation for his character named Dave Martinez. “They advised me to watch the first episode. (Then,) I got hooked on it after watching the first few episodes. So, (I ended up) finishing the entire series.”

Joseph is also quick to clarify that Pure Love follows the Koreanovela’s “flow of the story. So people will know that it is (49 Days) that they are watching.” But one thing is for sure, Pure Love will be teeming with Filipino values. This can be gleaned upon the different relationships presented in the show. An example is that of Joseph’s Dave and Alex Gonzaga’s Diane Santos.   

“We’re high school friends (in the story),” shares Joseph. “We’re like aso’t pusa. Along the way, I will be one of those who will help (Diane) in her journey to get three teardrops within 40 days.” Thus, Kapamilya viewers will see Joseph in tear-jerking and heartwarming scenes, like what he had done succinctly in Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala and Honesto as Judy Ann Santos’ brother and the “mentally-challenged” Elai Galang, respectively.

These recent assignments have shown Joseph’s sensitivity and versatility as an actor. He attributes this “improvement” to his Maalaala Mo Kaya stints. The film Saturday Night Chills had gifted him and fellow co-stars Rayver Cruz and Matteo Guidicelli the Best Actor award at the 2013 Cinema Original Film Festival.

With his visibility, doing one TV series after another, rumor has it that a network executive plays favorites in Joseph’s favor.

“It’s not just in showbiz. There’s gonna be politics wherever (you work and regardless of industry you’re in). May ganoong pag-uusapan,” he says. “I just laugh at the rumor. If you know it to yourself that there’s no truth to it, tatawanan mo lang (ito). And it is not worth of your time.”

Judging the way he talks about the issue, Joseph will not tolerate such “preferential treatment.” According to him, he has self-respect. “If I do it, what’s the point of working hard. Kung ganun lang naman, ’wag ka nang mag-seryoso sa work at umasa ka na lang sa ganun (If that’s the case, you should not take your work seriously and simply rely on it). Magpapaka-late ako (I will arrive late on the set). Nawawala yung essence ng working hard. Nawawala yung thrill sa pag-wo-work hard at (parang) free na lang ang lahat.”

So, Joseph will devote all his time and energy to his showbiz career, particularly to Pure Love.  

“My character here is so simple and yet complicated,” he says. “Sa sobrang simple niya, kailangang makita ng tao na totoong-totoo ang character ko. It has to be felt and to look real.” It is possible since Nonie Buencamino is coaching the cast and “our director is passionate about everything kaya alagang-alaga ang mga eksena namin,” relates Joseph. 

“I really study the role,” Joseph says. “(Somebody told me that) don’t worry too much. (But) when it comes to my work, I have the tendency to worry that I might not be playing my role well.”

It’s a challenge for Joseph to know his character and “know it by heart,” so that he will live to his character’s own realities, given the TV taping style in the Philippines.  

Living up to the title of his latest Kapamilya series, Joseph has the pure love for acting.