Christopher’s OTJ role reflects real-life issues

MANILA, Philippines – Christopher de Leon admits he has nothing to say to godson Mark Anthony Fernandez, who is in jail for allegedly carrying a kilogram of marijuana. But that doesn’t mean the award-winning actor couldn’t care less.

In fact, Christopher feels for Alma Moreno’s son, who recently pleaded not guilty to charges against him.

“I have nothing to tell him if I do visit him (in jail). But I felt for him when he was arrested. I’m praying for him,” Christopher said after the presscon which announced video-on-demand service HOOQ’s first venture into producing original content, the six-part series On The Job (OTJ).

Christopher even wants authorities to act with more leniency in dealing with cases involving marijuana possession. He notes that Mark’s case involves a substance that doesn’t belong to category of “hardcore drugs” like shabu, opium and cocaine.

Besides, Christopher acknowledges, marijuana also has medical uses.

But don’t get him wrong. The star of OTJ is all for fighting the drug menace, even among fellow celebrities. He’s all for investigating fellow celebrities suspected of maintaining links with drug pushers, or are using illegal drugs themselves.

The cast of On The Job: The Series with director Erik Matti (center, foreground) and Reality Entertainment’s Dondon Monteverde, among them Dominic Ochoa, Smokey Manaloto, Bela Padilla and Arjo Atayde.

Christopher is willing to be one of the first celebrities to take a drug test in Camp Crame any time. He carries a licensed firearm and the law requires him to take a drug test.

“I have a gun club in Batangas, so all of us have to come clean,” he said.

Christopher gives one condition before taking another drug test, though. He wants government officials to lead the way.

“We pay the taxes,” he explained. “Government officials are accountable to us. They get their salaries from us. So they should be the one to undergo a drug test first.”

This no-nonsense view echoes the veteran actor’s role in the new OTJ, directed by Erik Matti. Christopher plays the upright publisher of a small-town newspaper who confronts a journalist for pandering to a political family’s wishes. Christopher’s character questions the paid journalist (Sisoy, played by theater actor Teroy Guzman) for selling his principles.

The new series, which Matti said is entirely different from the 2013 crime thriller of the same title, tackles the good and the bad side of media.

“It shows how hard news is created, how it’s sometimes changed and distorted in favor of business,” the director stated.

Christopher prefers socially-relevant projects like the series over what he calls are “self-serving” ones that lack depth and substance.

A look at the movies he just did and another one he will do soon after prove this.

Kamandag ng Droga, Christopher’s reunion project with Carlo J. Caparas, tackles the drug menace. The veteran actor’s upcoming action film, Across the Crescent Moon, is a possible entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival.

The actor’s passion for relevant cinema also shows in the kind of film he dreams of making when he returns to the directorial chair “hopefully next year.”

“It must be something nationalistic, and inspired by true events,” Christopher declared.

This search for social relevance cinema drives Christopher to dream of adding one more film to the growing list of those he wants restored.

“I want to see (director) Celso Ad’s Ang Alamat ni Julian Makabayan restored. His edited version is a classic drama where every frame is like a painting. I saw the film in PBO (Pinoy Box Office, a 24-hour cable channel). It’s beautiful!”

Let’s hope Christopher’s quest for excellent cinema goes on so the next generation can catch his spirit of looking for, and giving, only the best.