Besides Himala and Pagdating sa Dulo (his classic black and white directorial debut), Ishmael Bernal was noted for witty and campy flicks, such as the two Working Girls (1984 and 1987) which was rebooted by Joey Javier Reyes in 2010.
Comes now Viva Films’ Working Beks which could be a spoof tribute to those three films, directed by Chris Martinez and starring TJ Trinidad as Tommy, a respected marketing director who is actually a closet gay; Edgar Allan Guzman as Champ, a gay matinee idol forced to hide after his sex video has gone viral; Prince Stefan as Jet, a promiscuous call center agent sacred to death when a casual HIV-positive sex partner committed suicide; Joey Paras as Mandy, a paminta (gay lingo for “pa-men,” pretending to be a man) having cold feet on his wedding day; and John “Sweet” Lapus as Gorgeous who seeks relief from being a breadwinner by fantasizing over Champ.
Opening nationwide on Nov. 23, Working Beks (short for beki, another colloquial word for gay) is, according to direk Chris, his tribute to gays.
“I’ve been writing since 2004,” explained Chris, “and I’ve been directing for eight years. You must have noticed that in my films, there are characters who are gay or who shows gay sensibility. But I have never done a film that is for or about gays. Working Beks is my dream project. It’s a movie about love, respect and gay empowerment. The gays in this fight back; they don’t let themselves be oppressed.”
Funfare did a straight talk about gays with the four beks.
TJ and Edgar Allan
How many times have you played a gay character?
TJ: For film, this is my first time. For theater, I played a closet gay character in the play The Normal Heart that we staged last June at PETA.
Edgar Allan: I think it’s my ninth time already. I am enjoying it na nga, eh! Baka my directors think that I play it well so more offers for gay roles are coming my way.
What do you find challenging about playing the character?
TJ: It was difficult to portray the character as naturally as possible and not make it look like a stereotypical gay character. It has to be an authentic experience for it to become a genuine portrayal. After the story conference where we discussed characters and script, I had to take a few more separate meetings with direk Chris before we started shooting to edit certain mannerisms because I didn’t want to over do it and make a caricature of my character.
Edgar Allan: I find every gay role challenging but I make it a point to vary m y attack. But it’s hard to play a closet gay, ‘yung pigil na pigil ang pagiging bading.
How did you internalize the role?
TJ: I rehearsed all my scenes prior to shooting with all the notes I had from direk Chris. So there was a strong sense of familiarity once I had to act in front of the camera. But it was still disorienting initially and it took a while…at the start of every shooting day…before I settled into my character.
Edgar Allan: Before I get to the set, I am already my character. Sobrang strict ako sa sarili ko, so I am no longer Edgar Allan Guzman when I go to the set. I need to create a new character who has his own issues and problems, at may sariling journey sa buhay.
No worries that your sexuality might be “doubted” by the public?
TJ: No, that doesn’t worry me. But if the public does question it (or maybe even question their own), then I know I did my job well.
Edgar Allan: No worries at all. I enjoy every gay character that I play and I am not bothered by what people will suspect about me. It is just work for me. And as an actor, I have to be credible, effective and inspiring.
What’s your attitude towards members of the LGBT community?
TJ: We are all equal. But I feel that society isn’t as accepting as it should be, given this day and age of “ enlightenment.” There is still so much prejudice and biases especially in our culture. I find this disturbing and unacceptable.
Edgar Allan: I have high respect for them because I have a brother who is gay. I love the LGBT community. I love my brother very much; I understand him.
Have you ever been propositioned by a gay person (indecent proposal, and what were offered to you)?
TJ: No.
Edgar Allan: Nope.
How would you react if your close friend is a closet gay and is secretly lusting for you?
TJ: I’d tell him not to hold his breath.
Edgar Allan: Nakakagulat ‘yon, pero matatanggap ko siya. I will tell him straight na hanggang friends lang kami talag
Joey
Since you are known to be gay, when you play a role hindi na ba kelangan ng acting?
“The gay roles that I portray are different from each other. As an actor, it is my job to breath life into the character and it requires acting. Being gay is not enough.”
How did you identify with your role in the movie?
“Mandy in Working Beks is a deluded, sick gay person. It is hard to identify with someone who has been living a lie his entire life. That was a tough character to portray — a gay guy who denies his true sexuality.”
What is your saddest experience in your love life, and most embarrassing if any?
“To always fall in love with a married guy with kids. That’s sad, don’t you think so?”
What type of guy would you spend your lifetime savings on/for?
“Someone who gains my trust and respect.”
Are you in a relationship now?
“No???”
Do you believe na maryoong “forever” in a gay relationship?
“Walang forever. Kahit saang aspeto ng buhay.”
Prince
You have recently come out about your sexuality. Why did you take time outing yourself?
“Maybe because I was young during and after StarStruck (“The GMA talent search that discovered Prince. —- RFL). I wasn’t ready to come out because I thought that in showbiz you had to be discreet…you know, may mga loveteam-loveteam at kelangan itago kung ano ka talaga. Of course, I was also concerned about my family, although I knew that they would understand. Ang pag-‘out’ ay hindi dapat madaliin.”
Tell us about your rich (Arab) lover. How you met, your life with him and why you broke up.
“I’m ok naman with him. We chat every now and then; friends pa rin kami. We broke up maybe because our relationship wasn’t working anymore. No third party was involved. No big fights. I am grateful for everything and every time that I spent with him and his family.”
Didn’t your co-contestants in StarStruck have any suspicion about your sexuality? Who was your “type” among them?
“Yes, may mga speculations sa mga batch mates ko pero since hindi pa ako ready I kept on denying and just laughed pag may mag tanong sa akin. But now, they know. Nakakataba ng puso that they never judged me and they are still there supporting me.”
Are you “protected” in your “private moments” with guys?
“Oo naman, siempre! You need to be safe and clean. I am a member of Love Your Self HIV awareness group; we promote safe and responsible way of having sex.”
Clarify rumors that you and Aljur Abrenica did “it” once
“No, that’s not true! Nothing happened between us. It was just a fun story that was blown out of proportion. The story grew and grew, ang dami nang nadagdag, hahaha!!! Aljur and I are like brothers and we always bump into each other at the gym. Walang ganun! I just related that when we were together in an out-of-town show, we were billeted together in one room at the Hilton Mactan. Sa suite ‘yon. Hindi pa niya alam kung ano ako. We went swimming together. No malice there. I never said that Aljur is maliit (small) kasi hindi ko naman talaga nakita. In-assume ko lang ‘yon but it was never my intention na siraan siya. I so love Aljur! Hindi ko magagawa sa kanya ‘yon. Still, I say, “Sorry’ to him and his camp for what I said. My apology.”
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