Boyet after all these years

Three decades after he filled the big screen with his defining portrayal of the lead character in Lino Brocka’s Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang, Christopher de Leon continues to set the standards for dramatic actors. His name in the cast list is sure to add weight to a movie or television project–and his performance rarely disappoints. Heaped with critical and popular acclaim and the respect of his peers in the industry, Boyet de Leon still manages to be one of the nicest guys around.

Welcome to my humble abode!" Christopher de Leon cheerfully exclaims. Our interview and photo shoot is set in the huge de Leon house in Las Piñas City. The master of the house puts on a world music CD, fluffs several pillows and offers several well-chosen words before disappearing into the bedroom.

A few minutes later, his wife, the actress Sandy Andolong, arrives and asks if "Boyet already said hello". She marvels at the camera equipment but soon leaves and promises not to get in the way of the interview.

Christopher re-emerges half an hour later sporting an orange shirt and tight black pants, ready to face the camera. He makes small talk, smiles a lot and laughs gleefully whenever someone makes an interesting observation about his home. He confers with the photographer on the best lighting for the shoot and settles himself comfortably on the couch, placing his hands gently on the coffee table.

He is taller than most people think, and he exudes confidence, charm and a carefree aura, looking very relaxed despite his obviously busy schedule. He has just concluded the successful telenovela Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw with Richard Gomez on GMA 7, and already he is being lined up with many upcoming projects. He is currently cast in the sequel of the Regal Films’ blockbuster of 2002 Mano Po–for which he has been learning to speak Chinese, practising nightly–and will soon also be starring in a new show with Lorna Tolentino. There will be a much-awaited reunion with fellow ex-bananas Edgar Mortiz and Johnny Delgado for a sitcom with Pops Fernandez.

"I’ve been pretty busy lately, even after my stint with Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Thank God! I used to do a lot of films, but since medyo konti nalang yung mga taong producing, I’m mostly on TV na. Dati mahina ang output ko pag two movies a year lang. And that’s because I don’t charge that high for my talent fee," he says with a smile.

"I’m really excited about this new act with Edgar and Johnny. It‚s going to be called All Together Now and it will be coming out very soon. It’s just going to be like the old days. Too bad Jay (Ilagan, part of the original Bad Bananas gang) is no longer around. He would have loved this."

He almost seems like a kid, the way he describes things about his life and work, joking constantly and paying little attention to the nitty-gritty stuff going about the house. Sandy would pass by and instruct the help on dinner plans, sometimes looking in on the discussion curiously. She and Christopher have five kids together and the whole family seems to be at ease and very warm with each other–just like a classic Norman Rockwell painting.

Christopher says that they are a close-knit bunch, always laughing, praying and basically just spending time together. And it’s not just an act or a media stunt: He seems a little edgy because one of the kids wasn’t home yet. And he informs us matter-of-factly that the family was going to go out later that night to catch the last full show of the Hollywood action flick S.W.A.T. starring Samuel L. Jackson and Colin Farrel.

"It’s nice to hang-out with the people that matter to you most. And it’s not always the lavish parties and the high-profile buddies. It should be the missus and the children. You should do things together because it’s what you want and love, and not just because you have to. That’s maybe our best trait as a family," he reveals.

Christopher de Leon seems to have it all together: witty, handsome, and without a trace of self-doubt. He knows he is successful in the industry (thirty years and counting) but there is still very little ego. It makes one think about the early days, back when Christopher debuted as the young Cesar Blanco Jr. in the late Lino Brocka’s Tinimbang Ka Nguni’t Kulang. It was there that he got his first peek inside the world of show business.

"I did come from a family of actors. It’s in the blood. But it wasn’t until I was in college that I got a taste of movie acting. I was driving my older sister Pinky to the shoot of Tinimbang‚ then Lino spotted me and asked if I wanted to audition for a part. I asked my dad and he said it would be a good opportunity for me," he relates. "There were many boys who tried out for the movie and only four of us got selected. I probably did quite a number because I was able to land the lead role. And like they say, the rest was history after that."

It was a short time later that he got together with the Bad Bananas and became one of hottest acts of the 70s and early 80s. He was the all-around package, the total entertainer who could host, sing and do drama, comedy and action on television and in movies with ease and aplomb.

"I used to call the Bad Bananas the Lonely Hearts Club Band. Not after the famous Beatles album, mind you, but because we all had just separated from our wives at the time. We were acquaintances and I had just split from my first wife (Nora Aunor), Edgar had just broken-up with Vilma Santos, and Jay parted with Hilda Koronel. And Johnny, well, ewan ko lang. Kakahiwalay n’ya lang kung kay sino-sino," he laughs. "But it really wasn’t until a pick-up basketball game did we really bond together. We had a lot to talk about our experiences and all and we enjoyed being together. The chemistry was good and we just clicked and thought about doing something. So we went abroad for a series of shows and people just loved us. It became pretty big after awhile."

Christopher’s intense charisma and gift for acting soon brought him fame and fortune, and he was able to further enhance his skills by working with acclaimed film directors like Brocka, Gerry de Leon, Ishmael Bernal, Eddie Romero, Celso Ad Castillo, Danny Zialcita, Laurice Guillen, Marilou Diaz-Abaya and Chito Roño. He has starred in over a hundred movies and remains one of cinema’s favorite leading men. He was recently paired with Regine Velasquez in Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka.

And he’s not very squirmy or choosy with roles either. A versatile performer, Christopher has portrayed heroes, villains, lovers, rebels, husbands and fathers. And he has played most of them to heart, perhaps because he has can identify with some of the characters after some interesting–to put it mildly–experiences in his colorful past; he calls it his "dark encounters" in life. He has bounced back, however, and whatever demons that used to be with him are now properly exorcised–hopefully forever.

On screen, he is noted for his natural abilities to depict life. And he is very proud of it. Christopher used to take his movie roles home. "It wasn’t healthy," he shakes his head. "Nawawalan ka ng sariling identity. Kailangan talaga matuto to put your tool back into the tool box, so to speak. But it takes practice to achieve that." And despite his clear dedication to his craft, a script which calls for a torrid kissing scene with a man is definitely out of the question.

"I have no problem doing gay roles. But I had to turn down an offer because I had to do a bed scene with a guy. I’m not really concerned with my image, but what would my kids think if they saw me French-kissing a man? That‘s going too far, for me," he says.

There was one time, however, during a scene in the film American Adobo when Ricky Davao suddenly planted a kiss right smack on his lips. And he was quite appalled by it. "I know I should be professional and all, and I usually am. But when Ricky came and smooched me, I struggled not to flinch. So after the cut, I was like ‘pweh! pwe!’ and ‘yuck!’ It was terrible."

My all-time favorite movies include Ipagpatawad Mo, Kakabakaba Kaba, Bulaklak ng Maynila and Bad Banans Sa Puting Tabing. The latter is downright silly, but I loved it because it was so much fun to do. My favorite movies are not always based on the final product, you know. The whole process must be enjoyable as well," he shares.

"I’m also better with drama, but I’m actually comfortable with all genres. I can also do action. And even if I’m not a great comedian, I still know the basics of it. The Bananas really helped me there. Our group researched about comedy. We went to the local classics, from Panchito to Monty Python to Saturday Night Live. Comedy is a serious job. It should look pretty easy, but it’s tough to do."

He has dabbled into directing and producing, making a couple of films and telesines. He says that the experience is indeed quite tiring, but very fulfilling because "you are in control" and "you create your own world". And although he would like to see himself doing more things behind the camera, he would still very much stay an actor because "I get paid more."

It certainly does. His stunning home and luxury cars are very well-maintained, and many artifacts and paintings by artists known and unknown occupy most of the walls. He sends all of his kids to the best schools and can still make shopping his favorite pastime and splurge anytime he fancies. However, he opts for the simple pleasures in life, choosing to spend his free time serving the community through the Oasis of Love.

It is obvious that he is emotionally and financially secure, and is content with what he has–a very rare quality among the rich and famous, especially in the surreal world of show business. This is probably the biggest reason why he never ran for public office and has no plans to do so.

"Politics, it’s a calling from god. Many of them actually ask me to run for this and that. And every election, there’s always an offer for me to run. But the thing is, why should I? I’m doing well with what I’m doing right now. I’m entertaining people, and the way we look at politicians right now is not very flattering. I’m doing a noble job, an honest job. I’m not one of the highest paid actors, but I get by well enough. Nakakapag pasaya pa ako ng tao," he smiles.

Christopher claims he is still a student of acting and he continues to learn new things everyday. Unlike other veteran performers who have let themselves go over the years, Christopher still regularly works-out, keeps in shape and studies hard to further develop his abilities.

"Every night I try to speak Chinese (because of Mano Po), I do all these things to improve myself. Because once you stop learning about your craft, whatever it is, that’s the time you fall and fade away. I like Harrison Ford. He’s old and gray, but he still has a good physique. And he works on that. I do martial arts for flexibility, voice lessons, and all. Kailangan tuloy tuloy yung aral eh. Acting is a research about life," he says.

All the kind effort has not gone unnoticed. The acting trophies for his diverse performances are numerous. "I always hope but I seldom expect to win. At one time I really wanted to win the best actor prize and I was so nervous that night. I got drunk. Real drunk, man! But I won. So when I got up to the stage, I was smashed. ‘Shank shuouu’‚ was how I said it. The next few days, I saw my picture with Nora Aunor (who won the best actress award) in a publication, and I looked like a wreck in a barong tagalog. All the same, I’m no longer nervous at award shows. I guess you get used to it."

"But I just wish that there are more movies that touch the hearts of the people, and give them hope. It’s more of pinpointing what a real man should be. Triumph-of the-spirit-type of a movie that can uplift the Filipino audience, and not the formulaic drama," he adds.

All in all, the young lad who was just driving his elder sister to a movie shoot has become the talented and renowned person who has seen and done it all in family and profession.

So if he has conquered the silver screen and all there is to do as an entertainer, what else does the future hold for a Christopher de Leon?

"I really don’t know. My future is with and for my family and I’ll just go with the plans of the Lord. What we have right now, we’ve gotten all very honestly. As much as possible I try to be honest. It is a very essential quality. And in my life and profession, I can truthfully and finally say that I have achieved a lot. But hopefully, there’s still much more to come–whatever they may be."