Bembol Roco & Felix Roco: Like father, like son

MANILA, Philippines - The son of multi-awarded actor Bembol Roco, Felix is part of the second-generation actors that have found themselves in the spotlight today.

Felix – who says he would be a veterinarian if he hadn’t become an actor – was discovered through his brother, Dominic, who is also an actor. Felix recounts that Bembol had brought Dominic along when he guested on a talk show. Shortly after, Dominic received acting offers and Felix, his twin, got his auditions and offers as well.

“We’re always compared,” says Felix on being in the business with a twin. “We’re always asked who is the better actor.” Felix answers this question very diplomatically. Right now, he says, he is being given more serious roles, but “given the chance, Dom will also do well as a serious actor.”

As a second-generation actor, Felix also deals with another comparison – with his father Bembol, a veteran and acclaimed actor. “I didn’t expect them to be like me, but when they decided to go into acting, of course I supported their decision,” says Bembol.

Father and son share similar beginings in showbiz – their very first starring role is what shot them to fame. Bembol met Lino Brocka in September of 1974 at the DARE Foundation where the famed director was arranging for a permit to shoot his film. At that time, Bembol was working for the foundation. He was asked to be part of the film as an extra. “It wouldn’t be hard on my part,” says Bembol, as the role was a recovered drug addict who was working for the foundation.

Bembol had never dreamt of becoming an actor. He had wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father who was a basketball coach. (His nickname is a combination of his grandfather’s name “Bem” and “bol” for his father’s profession).

The actors in Brocka’s film were offered P200 per day, for a total of five shooting days. “That got me interested,” says Bembol. “At that time, I was earning P600 per month.”

Brocka then recommended he try stage plays. “It was something new,” the actor says of the experience.

Then came the turning point in Bembol’s career. A few days into the shooting of Brocka’s “Maynila…Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag,” Bembo recalls: “I received a late night call from Lino. He said, ‘May problema sa Maynila...’” 

The director, after viewing the rushes of the film, had decided that the star, Jay Ilagan, was not a good fit for the role. Now, he explained to Bembol, they could either choose a veteran actor or a complete newcomer to fill the role. When the director went on to tell Bembol that they had chosen him for the role, his reaction was: “Nge!”

“I was unbelievably excited,” he adds. “It was the least of what I was thinking.”

Maynila went on to receive many awards and is considered one of the masterpieces of Philippine cinema. Likewise, as the film’s unsuspecting star, Bembol became a celebrity and much sought-after actor.

Seeing himself on the big screen for the first time “gave me goosebumps,” Bembol says.

“Awesome!” he exclaims.

 Felix’s first big role was in young filmmaker Pepe Diokno’s Cinemalaya 2009 entry, “Engkwentro”. “I read the script and it reminded me of my favorite film, ‘City of God’,” says Felix on why he decided to audition for the indie film. 

“Indie films are much more difficult to make,” says Felix, recalling how they had rehearsed and developed the film with Diokno for three months before shooting began.

“But it was worth it,” says the young actor. “It opened doors for me.”

Though Engkwentro did not win Cinemalaya best film, it was invited to film festivals abroad. Felix’s very first time to travel abroad was with the filmmakers of Engkwentro when they attended the Venice film festival. “Some of the people there were surprised when they saw me because they had thought I was a real gangster,” Felix shares. Since then, he has been recognized as a serious actor and has become one of the favorites of indie filmmakers.

Bembol once again felt goosebumps when he saw his son’s performance in the film. “He is a very intense actor,” says the proud father. “He has a long way to go, but he is on the right track.”

Felix has also become a mainstay on television with his role in the soap opera “Rosalka.”

“I still can’t believe what ABS-CBN has done for me,” he says of the popularity that he is enjoying now. “It’s hard work, but I’m really loving what I’m doing right now. I don’t see myself doing anything else. That’s how much I love acting,” he enthuses. Both he and his father are managed by Ricky Gallardo’s The Talent Factory.

When asked what his dream role is, Felix answers without hesitation: “I want to do a remake of Maynila.” Playing his father’s iconic role would be the ultimate honor for him.

“May buhok pa siya noon  (He still had hair then),” Felix jokes. “This film is the whole reason I’m in this business,” he adds on a more serious note.

“It would really be perfect for him and a good time to produce a remake of the film,” says Bembol. “Felix looks so much like me when I was his age. Having seen his work, I think he has the talent and special skill.”

I see so much of myself in them,” Bembol says of his actor-sons. Like Felix, he has always valued his privacy. “At first, I couldn’t balance going from a simple person to a celebrity,” Bembol admits. “Hindi ako sanay (I wasn’t used to) being a public figure.”

Felix, unlike many young actors, veers away from the public eye as well. “When I don’t have shooting, I stay at home,” he says. “I watch my show with mom,” he adds, saying that though many actors do not watch their own performances, he thinks it is important. “You get to see what you need to change,” says the young actor, already aiming to improve at his work.

Felix aims to acquire his dad’s intensity in his own acting: “Nakikita sa mata (You can see it in his eyes).”

“Of course there is pressure being my sons,” says Bembol. “I tell them, be thankful for that pressure. Don’t worry about becoming like me, just work hard.”

“People expect us to be the same,” Felix agrees, adding that though his father does not tell him what to do, he is very supportive. “He always tells us to be professional.”

“What I have talked to them about is what Lino taught me,” says Bembol. “Professionalism, love of work, passion, dedication, the value of working hard for good results.”

Another valuable lesson he learned from Brocka is coming to the set prepared and in character. “Back then, you could demand a script so you can prepare for the role,” says Bembol, recalling the golden days of Philippine cinema. “It is totally different now,” he says. “It’s very spontaneous,” putting the situation lightly. “Sometimes you are given the script the day before shooting or even on the set.”

Bembol adds, “I feel so frustrated about cinema now. There is less creative work being done now. Saving factor is the indie films.”

“I am so fortunate to be a part of the golden age of Philippine cinema,” he says, adding, “I hope the situation of the industry turns for the better. Maybe the government should help out in subsidizing Philippine cinema.”

These days, Bembol is involved in stage productions, most recently starring in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Mga Guerilla sa Powell Street” and being part of the recent Virgin Lab Fest for the third consecutive time. “I’ve enjoyed theater from the start,” he says. “It’s the love of theater that keeps me going. The fulfillment that I get out of it can’t be translated into money.”

“I wish for them to try theater,” says Bembol of his sons. “I believe theater work will make you a better performer. It would be great for them to try.”

Bembol – who considers his most challenging and most memorable roles so far those he played in Maynila, “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita”, and “Orapronobis” – also looks forward to working with his sons in the future.

“If you are in this field of work, be devoted, dedicated, have the heart. It’s not all pleasure and fun – it’s a lot of work too,” he advises those who are interested in making it in show business.

Meanwhile, Felix is hard at work doing just that, honing his skills as a versatile actor – with roles ranging from the dark Engkwentro, to mainstream Rosalka, to indie comedy “Pendong”.

“I haven’t won an award yet,” Felix says on what he would like to accomplish in the near future. And with this goal in mind, he continues on his journey as an actor. When asked if his son will be able to surpass him in the industry, Bembol says right away, “Yes, I believe he can.”