‘Playtime’ stars on how women can protect themselves against predators
MANILA, Philippines — GMA Pictures and Viva Films have collaborated on a suspense-thriller about a predator who lures women into his “twisted game of hunter and prey.” Opening on June 12 in cinemas, the film stars Xian Lim, Sanya Lopez, Coleen Garcia and Faye Lorenzo.
Director Mark Reyes was quoted as stressing that the film is not a walk in the park and not a rom-com drama. The story revolves around three women from three different worlds who find themselves in the scary situation involving a man they all wrongly trust.
During a presscon, direk Mark further shared, “Here the story is, there’s a sexual predator, Lucas, who got all these girls into his territory and then he’s going to try to track them down and hunt them down — without saying too much. That’s how the story started.”
“I am very glad that my lead actor (Xian Lim) is also a director that understood. It was a perfect casting,” he added.
The “sexy” element of the film took the director, who’s best known for megging GMA’s big-budget dramas such as “Encantadia” and “Voltes V: Legacy,” out of his comfort zone. “There are scenes here that really put them (the actors) to the test,” he said.
Asked if the seduction scenes are a major plot device, he said, “The women come into the situation because they are sexually attracted to the character of Xian, but what I want to share is that it’s just a come-on of the film, it’s actually a study of personalities, these girls are all in trouble but should they automatically trust each other? What if someone has an ulterior motive?"
The theme is not just interesting but also relevant in this age of MeToo.
The STAR had to ask the cast, especially the women, if they ever experienced close encounters with sexual predators and how they dealt with them. In their line of work and even in their everyday lives, they can be a magnet or easy target. What advice can they share with fellow women on how to protect themselves from such incidents and encounters?
“You know, hindi ko kasi naabutan yung single ako and there’s Tinder,” said Coleen, expressing there can be fear and risk when dating strangers you’ve met online.
“But I guess it’s a case to case basis. It’s different for everybody what you can do to protect yourself… But it’s important really especially that we’re all aware that it does happen.
“And most of the time, actually it happens din sa hindi strangers. ‘Di ba sometimes, it happens in your workplace, sometimes it happens in the family, so it’s important to get help.
“Unang-una, it’s important to get help if you feel you’re in danger, if you feel like somebody has crossed those boundaries. You really need to tell people who can help you.”
The actress who’s married to Billy Crawford also said, “When it comes to going out, not just dating, even among friends, ako personally, ‘di ko pa na-i-experience pero I know people who have experienced it and it’s really scary not just now but even before. So it’s important to watch yourself.
“For example, if you go out, make sure you’re with people whom you feel safe with. Kasi yung gawain ko before, when I was still dating, hindi ako actually, nakikipag-date agad with one person, yung kaming dalawa lang.
“Normally, I’d invite him to meet my friends, things like that. So maganda mag-start ng ganun and you slowly build the trust. It’s hard to be alone with somebody na wala kang tiwala. You don’t put yourself in a compromising situation, whether that’s drinking or even riding in a car alone with somebody. Try your best not to put yourself in a compromising situation,” she stressed.
For Sanya, there are really moments where you meet people with questionable intentions. When she was younger, she admitted that there were times when she felt she was “in danger.”
“Parang ‘di ka paniniwalaan agad kasi bata ka eh, kumbaga wala ka pang boses… may kapitbahay ka lang na lasing na lumapit sa akin, yung parang feeling mo may gagawin silang masama… Hindi naman din talaga, pero may mga ganun lang akong takot,” she shared.
Fortunately, she had people who always made her feel safe growing up — her brother, actor Jak Roberto, and her mom. “Kuya ko isa sa mga sinasabihan ko that time and yung mommy ko (if ever I felt uncomfortable). Bilang wala akong Daddy, wala talagang taga-protect sa akin. (Early on) nag-iingat ako until now. Yun ang tumatak sa akin nung bata ako na importante ‘di ako mag-isa. Dapat meron akong kasama na mas matanda talaga sa akin.”
Nowadays, whenever she goes out, she’s alert and vigilant when it comes to people who either become too touchy or too close for comfort.
Sanya also advises fellow women to tell someone you trust your whereabouts.
“There has to be one person that you can tell, ‘I’m here.’ In case of emergency, ito yung tao malalapitan mo at alam niya kung nasaan ka. There are things that we want to do on our own but we have to prioritize our safety,” Sanya stressed.
This is one of the main takeaways from “Playtime,” said Xian.
“I think if there’s one lesson to learn from this film — I know it’s bloody, it’s sexy, it’s entertaining — it would be to not put yourself in a compromising situation,” he said.
“I grew up with my grandmother and grandfather, that’s why my sensibilities are very ‘80s pa, lumang tao (old school)... You just have to be extra careful nowadays because ang dami daming nangyayari kung saan man.
“If it’s a place that invites trouble, think twice and have people with you and be extra safe. And don’t easily believe in online things because it’s so easy to make up different things online.”
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