Big Brother is watching him

Slowly but surely, Ronwaldo Martin is tracing the footsteps taken by his older brother Coco to stardom — that is, via indies.

But unlike Coco whose derring-do spares nothing (even going frontally nude in a scene with Mercedes Cabral in Serbis, directed by Cannes Best Director awardee Brillante “Dante” Mendoza who launched him in Masahista), Ronwaldo has so far been limited to what his manager Ferdy Lapuz (this corner’s contributor and producer of award-winning indies) calls “wholesome” roles. Perhaps not yet, anyway.

So far, Ronwaldo has done five films (Ari as a student connected to a poem, Laut as Gabbi Garcia’s love interest, Pamilya Ordinaryo as Hasmine Killip’s young husband, Tuos as Barbie Forteza’s leading man and Kabisera as Nora Aunor’s son).

In his current indie, Frontrow Entertainment’s Bhoy Intsik, one of the five official entries in the 2017 (3rd) Sinag Maynila Film Festival, Ronwaldo is directed by Joel Lamangan who predicts that, knock on wood, he can be as big a star as Coco.

“He’s one of the finest actors of his time,” Joel praised Ronwaldo (an Edgar Salcedo lookalike in some angles) at a recent presscon. “I have seen some of his movies and I am impressed with his acting. Tama ang aking hinala. I remembered him during the casting for Bhoy Intsik.”

Based on a true story, Bhoy Intsik is the story of a small-time felon alias Bhoy Intsik (a gay, played by Raymond “RS” Francisco who becomes an ally of another felon (Marlon, played by Ronwaldo) and together, they develop a certain disdain for a competitor in their illegal business in the cemetery.

“The story really happened in Cavite,” said Joel. “I should know because I come from there.” (Bhoy Intsik will have a premiere on March 11 and is showing March 9 to 14 at SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, Gateway and Glorietta 4. Sinag Maynila is a brainchild of direk Brillante as festival director and Solar Entertainment CEO Wilson Tieng.)

There’s no sibling rivalry (nor professional jealousy, very common in showbiz) between Ronwaldo and Coco. In fact, Coco acts as adviser to Ronwaldo (19, second to the youngest among five children, with Coco as the eldest; newcomer Sandino Martin is not related to them). It’s Coco who serves as Ronwaldo’s “fashion consultant.” For the Bhoy Intsik presscon, Coco prepared a denim ensemble for Ronwaldo who, needless to say, idolizes his kuya.

“Kuya hasn’t changed,” shared Ronwaldo. “I knew that he was popular when he started doing one movie after another. He’s generous. When he was not yet popular, he would go out with me and our other siblings. At home, he doesn’t make you feel that he’s a big star.”

“He has Coco’s screen presence,” said Ferdy who first saw Ronwaldo in Kasal, an indie directed by Jay Altarejos. “He was then under Brillante. When you see him through the camera, iba ang dating niya, parang si Coco. He’s a natural actor.”

That’s what Coco constantly reminds Ronwaldo — “Huwag daw ako umarte, dapat natural lang. Respect my co-workers, sundin ang direktor at huwag lalaki ang ulo.”

Every time Coco goes abroad for the promotion of his top-rating ABS-CBN action-adventure FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, he tags Ronwaldo along.

“Kuya is nice to the fans,” noted Ronwaldo. “He does selfies with them.”

“Very genuine,” seconded Ferdy. “Walang kaplastikan. At home, Coco even helps clean up.” And it’s quite a place to “clean up,” occupying almost one compound in the Casa Milan Subdivision in Quezon City where his immediate family and relatives live in adjoining houses.

“That’s why Ronwaldo really looks up to his kuya,” added Ferdy. “Ronwaldo does the household chores at sumasakay pa ‘yan sa tricycle na nakasabit lang.” But maybe not for long.

Asked if he could equal, if not surpass, the achievements of his Kuya Coco, Ronwaldo smiled, as if to say, “a tough nut to crack.”

Book donations needed

My bookworm friend Robin Tong is calling Funfare readers to “de-clutter their book collection” and donate copies to the Chinben See Memorial Library. Simply drop off books at #32 Anda Circle cor. Cabildo Sts. in Intramuros, Manila; or pick-ups may be arranged, just call 727-6083 or 0922-8901357 or e-mail [email protected]. All children’s books will be given to Catarman (Northern Samar) Chamber Elementary School whose library was burned down in late November last year. All other books will be given away at the Book Free Fair at Kaisa Heritage Center this afternoon from 1 to 3 o’clock.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)