•Pancho hurdles the challenge •Derrick gets solo movie as gift

Contrary to what some people may be thinking, things don’t come easy to Pancho Magno just because his mom, Redgie Magno, happens to be a well-connected TV executive (VP for Drama Productions of GMA).

“I have to work hard for every role that I get,” said Pancho who is a Registered Nurse (R.N.). “If I want a role, talagang pinaghihirapan ko para makuha. If I have to audition, I show up fully prepared. Once I get the part, I attend workshops; I do everything that the director tells me to do. I don’t want to put my mom in an embarrassing situation, and that’s the challenge that I have to constantly hurdle.”

In the few years that Pancho has been in the industry, he has appeared in Kapuso shows (cast in the remake-sequel, “requel,” of Encantadia as Gitano, played by Polo Ravales in the original series), paraded onstage as part of Cosmo magazine’s annual hot-men showcase, and starred in three indies — Gatas ng Ina (as the man who gets LJ Reyes’ character pregnant), Tomadachi (the Joel Lamangan direction that won an award at the recent New York Asian Film Festival) and Pilapil (as a detective), one of the six entries in the just-concluded first ToFarm Film Festival organized by Dr. Milagros O. How (EVP of Universal Harvester, Inc.) and director Maryo J. delos Reyes as a tribute to farmers.

“I didn’t have to audition for Pilapil,” admitted Pancho. “Jojo Nadela, the director, thought that I fitted the role. Before the shoot, I joined a workshop with my co-stars (among them James Blanco, Diva Montelaba, Rez Cortez and Orlando Sol) together with the staff.”

Also written by Nadela, Pilapil is the story of a man who wants to escape the farm life to seek greener pastures, and a young boy who considers it his paradise. In one stroke of fate, their lives cross.

“If I had a choice,” continued Pancho who has that action-star look (height and all), “I’d rather play character roles. In fact, I want to try all kinds of roles. I’m a big fan of (Quentin) Tarantino and (Martin) Scorsese. I have watched all their films.”

Since he has the body for it (as proven by his appearance in trunks in the Cosmo shows, would Pancho agree to bare more skin for a movie?

“Why not? But only if the project is good, the role is good with a good story handled by a competent director, and not just for the sake of showing my body.”

Before showbiz, Pancho worked as a nurse at a hospital for several months.

“So I am used to seeing blood, people dying, people seriously ill, accident victims, crime victims, those DOA (Dead On Arrival),” said Pancho. “I almost went abroad to work but then the recession happened so I changed my mind.”

An acting offer came just in time.

“I grew up on TV sets. My mom would bring me to work and I would play in the studio while she was busy. Those who had seen me as a kid running around the studio are now my bosses and it made me conscious sometimes.”

Pancho still lives with his mom who, as a single parent, raised him and his two siblings, one of whom is based in Australia.

“I want my mom to be proud of me,” said Pancho, “so I’m working very hard. Ayoko siyang mapahiya.”

* * *

When Derrick Monasterio signed a two-year contract as a Millennial Regal Baby last Tuesday, a day after he turned 21 (on Aug. 1, a Leo), he almost fell off his seat when Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde announced that as a birthday gift, she was preparing a launching starrer for him.

“Really, Mother?” the incredulous Derrick exclaimed. “My mom (retired actress Tina Monasterio who starred with FPJ and Vilma Santos in Bato sa Buhangin) will be very happy when I tell her the good news as soon as I get home.”

Mother Lily’s daughter Roselle Monteverde, who is virtually leading the company, confirmed that the solo starrer is now being planned.

“We are just looking for the right leading lady for Derrick,” said Roselle.

As a Kapuso, Derrick has been successfully graduating to mature roles. In an episode of Karelasyon (aired after Eat, Bulaga! on GMA), he was impressive as the gardener seduced by his employer (played by Elizabeth Oropeza with whom he did a passionate kissing scene not once but twice).

“Hindi na bagay sa akin ang pa-cute roles,” admitted Derrick who has been getting curious attention not just for his acting but also for his sex appeal. Yes, he blushed, “I have received indecent proposals,” one of them from a rich gay whom he declined to identify, except to say that he’s a businessman. “I was approached by a middleman who claimed to be a booker for shows. He got my number. Then, I got a call from the businessman.” The insinuated “offer” consisted of a condo unit at the BGC (Bonifacio Global City) which cost no less than P8M. “I didn’t bite,” said Derrick.

Despite his mounting offers (with Regal projects calculated to keep him busier), Derrick still finds time to study. He’s a Legal Management sophomore in San Beda. 

Toto winner at the Asian-American fest in NYC

Filmmaker John Paul Su’s award-winning debut feature film Toto made its bow in the Big Apple in a big way, selling out its screening at this year’s edition of the Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF 16), and ultimately, winning the Audience Choice Award for Best Film.

Su received the award during the closing ceremony last July 30 at The Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria.

“I’m truly grateful and thrilled at how the New York audience embraced the film,” shared the DGA (Directors Guild of America) member.

For Su, a graduate of New York University and a longtime resident of the city, the screening marked a sweet homecoming on many levels.

Prior to the screening at the historic City Cinemas Village East Cinema, Su welcomed the audience with his personal story: “NewYork is where my filmmaking journey began. It’s in this same theater where I screened my very first US-produced dramatic short. Eleven years later, I am back with my first feature film.”

The screening was followed by a Q&A with the cast and crew in attendance: Aside from Su, Donald Martin (writer, producer), Blake Boyd (actor, executive producer), Carlo Cruz (actor), Francisco Castelo (storywriter) and Clarissa delos Reyes (cinematographer).

Toto is the story of a dream, the American Dream, told from a Filipino angle. A young Filipino hotel worker in Manila (played by Sid Lucero) is fixated on getting to New York, willing to do anything to fulfill that dream, no matter the consequences. But when his obsession endangers the lives of those he loves, he must re-consider his action.

Toto had its debut at the World Premiere in the Philippines where it got eight nominations before winning four major awards (Special Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress) at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival’s New Wave Competition. The film went on to screen at several other major film festivals.

The film also stars Thou Reyes, Mara Lopez, Blake Boyd, Liza Diño, Neil Ryan Sese, Bibeth Orteza and Rafa Roco Jr., and features Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Jelson Bay, Marnie Lapus, Raul Montesa, Che Ramos, Carlo Cruz, and David Christopher.

Su is an alumnus of the 2014-2016 Disney/ABC-DGA Directing Program, and he is currently one of the finalists in the NBCUniversal Emerging Directors Program.

The 39th Asian American International Film Festival, presented by Asian Cinevision, is the nation’s first and longest-running festival devoted to films by and about Asians and Asian-Americans. — Reported by FELIX MANUEL

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