Sid tries comedy for the first time

MANILA, Philippines – It is not common for Sid Lucero to dabble in roles that are light and funny. He has more than demonstrated his dramatic acting ability in a number of TV series and films with heartwrenching stories. So what happens when he’s transported from the drama realm to the comedy sphere?

In this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry Toto, under the New Wave category, Sid plays the title character whose dream of setting foot in the US and finding a better life in the Land of Milk and Honey puts him in varied situations that can elicit laughter.

According to Sid, breathing life to Toto was not his primary concern when the role was offered to him. “It was more of how I would do my job in a comedy but I became confident when I realized the formula that the main character is usually the most normal so when I got to know everybody and how they’re gonna do their job, it became easier for me.

“Toto to me is a representation of all Filipinos; not just the ones who want to go to the States or have dreams of having (US) visas but a lot of us who think that to get more bucks from doing things shortcut. This is what the film is about.”

The actor relates that every time the director shouts “Action!” and the cameras start to grind, he does his best to act out the part as normal as possible in order for the audience to understand better what the story is all about “and if I act it out too much, baka may ma-offend pa ako.”

However, he admits that working on a comedy project is tough.  

“Well, of course, as an actor you want to be able to try everything but it’s not easy to (shift) from one kind of acting to another because you want to be able to do good in all (projects). I noticed through my career that we kinda don’t like watching ourselves on screen or our issues but I thought maybe if we package the issue in a much more edible way or in a much easier way of digesting it for the people to understand, then we should package it as a comedy; that way we’re not really prodding people in the chest na parang ‘No, this is what’s wrong with you.’ Personally, I think this might be a better medium to get messages across, especially to our kababayan.”

Sid shares that most of the films he starred in were catered to Filipinos but oftentimes, most of those received appreciation from foreign shores. “It’s weird, isn’t it?”

Still, the actor is bent on doing projects that are meaningful and worthwhile even if it would take him so long to wait for those types of stories to come. “I do not like those (stories) that are pointless because I believe our medium is very powerful, especially television. I believe we have a responsibility to our audiences and these are wake-up calls. If you watch the trailer (of Toto), it’s super funny but if you watch the whole film, it’s a reflection of us which is serious.”

Asked if he shares similarities and differences with Toto, Sid says he never fails to find something in the character that fits his personality, but not in the case of Toto.

“I don’t like him yet I like doing it because it is my responsibility to find the connection to be able to make him acceptable. Hindi ko s’ya trip but I do look up to Toto because whatever he puts in his mind to, he will do it and it doesn’t matter, I mentioned, he’s an asshole ‘user-friendly’ s’ya sobra. Andaming tumutulong sa kanya at sa sobrang focused s’ya dun sa gusto n’yang mangyari di nya napapansin na may nasasaktan s’ya.”

Were there also instances when Sid tried so hard to push for what he wanted?

“Oo naman like relationships hahaha,” he says.

“And those times na di mo naman kaya pero tatanggapin mo ‘yung trabaho,” he adds, laughing some more. “There’s a lot because we aim big and we kinda like hit or miss along the way.”

Speaking of relationships, Sid admits to seeing someone these days and “she’s an actress but she’s not showbiz, hahaha. I don’t want to talk (about it) anymore.”

On acting, Sid says that he has done mostly indie films this year and he hopes to do TV projects in 2016.

Toto, directed by John Paul Su, will be screened from Dec. 17 to 24 at SM Megamall, Glorietta 4 and Robinsons Place Ermita.