Mikoy Morales: I’m right where I’m supposed to be

Mikoy Morales showcased his brand of versatility in this year’s Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival by portraying a supporting role and a lead one in Rookie and Tether, respectively.

Using the film titles, one can say that the Sparkle GMA Artist Center actor is no neophyte in such a craft and is connected to the material and mental realities of his characters.

His sterling performance as a man, who has an abandonment issue and is in a toxic relationship, gifted Mikoy the filmfest’s Best Actor award and its signature Balanghai trophy.

“It’s a reassurance that I’m right where I’m supposed to be, I guess,” said the Kapuso artist about his acting win and the dominant feeling that comes with it in a one-on-one with The STAR. “For me, (it’s like telling me) to stay here and keep going, and just keep doing what I do, probably, better, di ba? It’s a reassurance that I don’t need to go away and to go around. Just stick to what you’re doing now. It’s a pat on the back.”

Simply put, Mikoy is on the right track.

After doing TV for years, Mikoy wished to expand his horizons by being part of a movie. That was granted when he was included in the 2014 Joel Lamangan Cinemalaya film, Hustisya, with National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Nora Aunor, in the lead.

“It was almost a cameo and I did one scene,” recalled Mikoy. “The TF (talent fee) didn’t matter. It was an opportunity to do a movie and I wanted to do it.”

Yes, it was Mikoy’s film acting debut, and nine years later, the opportunity to essay a role for the film festival came along again. This time, he was acting in two entries.

“Everything felt like all the stars had just aligned,” said he. “In the nine-year gap, from my first Cinemalaya (appearance), hindi ko naman sinadyang hindi mag-Cinemalaya (I didn’t intend not to be part of any of its previous editions), it’s just that hindi lang talaga napupunta dun (I never had any chance), kasi kung saan lang ako mapadpad, like kung saan yung may material, with a role that is OK, intriguing and interesting, then we do (because wherever a work or a new material, with an interesting and intriguing role to play, brings me, I’ll go there).”

Given the already established personal struggle of Eric, it’s safe to say that Mikoy got interested in the idea of getting into the character’s inner recesses.

“Tether is more relationship-centered. It was my first time to do intimate scenes and to have bed scenes, (the parts that I found) daring,” said he, who considered these vital to show how Eric is tethered or connected to Kate.

“I think in doing the role, me and my director had an understanding that we wanted to make him as human as possible, na hindi siya romantic, hindi siya glorified, but at the same time, we focused on highlighting the darker aspect of being tethered in a relationship,” added Mikoy. “We made it a point that everything should make sense kapag ipapakita na namin yung relationship side nina Kate and Eric na toxic, that the tables are turning. You can’t blame Eric because of his backstory and you can’t also blame Kate, given her backstory.”

In building the character, Mikoy said, “It’s just a matter of, like, setting up the right momentum, the right characteristics, the right details in a relationship and of those two separate people individually and together, to set that this is the perfect formula to show that they will go to this dark aspect of being tethered in a toxic relationship.”

Following Mikoy’s line of thinking, one could gather that Eric is not physically abusive but inconsiderate of someone else’s feelings. The character can easily leave a relationship if he wants to. The character is sheltered, and his parents are busy with work. The latter are physically present but emotionally absent. Eric doesn’t feel loved. Thus, he is abandoned in some aspect. This has led to his promiscuity and him presenting himself as a suave guy, who can manipulate women to sleep with him. All this is just a façade.

“He is doing all these things as band-aid to his trauma. We had to distinguish his trauma and I think it’s the fear of abandonment and fear of being rejected,” said the actor.

When the tables have been turned between Eric and Kate, Mikoy’s character realizes he has no control and fallen in love with her. He can’t abandon Kate.

Kapuso televiewers can watch Mikoy in the weekend show Pepito Manaloto. They will soon see him in the TV adaptation of Maging Sino Ka Man, with Barbie Forteza and David Licauco in the lead roles. Mikoy is taking on the Dennis Padilla role. He will also be part of Lolong’s book two, which is headlined by Ruru Madrid.

On his scoring a Cinemalaya acting award, he attributed his performance to the guidance of his director Gian Arre, who articulated to Mikoy with accuracy his character and the scenes the latter figured in. The actor had an on-point collaboration with direk Gian. Both creatives understood each other’s perspective and insights. Mikoy enjoyed the freedom in approaching the material and making sense of it.

He also acknowledged the help of his leading lady Jorrybell Agoto, their intimacy coordinator Missy Maramara, and Ana Feleo, the GMA resident acting teacher, have provided him.

Mikoy was also grateful for the support of his family and girlfriend Isa Garcia, who encouraged him to stay and attend the awards night, so he could personally receive the Cinemalaya Best Actor trophy.

For Mikoy, it’s also important for an actor to recharge and spend time with loved ones.