Mary Joy Apostol; Newbie actress gets shot at stardom

CEBU, Philippines - When you think of a lead actress in a critically acclaimed feature film, maybe you’d picture out a sophisticated lady, wearing huge sunglasses that framed her sculpted, unimpressed face, entering a room with a command that could send fans into a frenzy.

But when Mary Joy Apostol entered Azabu Sushi in Robinsons Galleria Cebu for lunch last Saturday, she would have looked like any other teenager what with her timid smile and delicate frame. Not at all the epitome of the stereotypical movie star – but look who made it to Tokyo and walked the red carpet in a long gown like she was born for it.

From the studio that brought us the iconic “Heneral Luna,” the bittersweet “I’m Drunk I Love You,” and the deliciously controversial “Bliss,” comes the provocative coming-of age thriller “Birdshot,” directed by Mikhail Red and produced by TBA Studios and PelikulaRED.

At the center of it all is Mary Joy, who plays the role of Maya, a 14-year-old farm girl who wanders into a Philippine reservation forest. Maya mistakenly shoots and kills a critically endangered and protected Philippine Eagle, sending local authorities into a manhunt to track the poacher down. However, they are soon led into an even more horrific discovery.

“Honestly, hindi ko po in-expect na makukuha ko yung project na ito,” 19-year-old Mary Joy, who hails from Bulacan, begins.

The newbie was definitely intimidated by other hopefuls – some of whom were already television regulars – when she decided to audition for the role. She was 17 at the time, and the eldest of the bunch.

“I told myself that okay, I was going to audition, but I really had zero expectations. So nung nalaman ko, sobrang natuwa po ako, at sobrang blessed ko po.”

Majoy, as she is fondly called by family and friends, started her acting career at 13 when she portrayed a young girl in a fishing village trying to reconnect with her deranged mother in the city despite her father’s warnings of a mistaken identity in the short film called “Unawa,” directed by Pamela L. Reyes and written alongside Mikhail Red who produced and directed “Birdshot.”

“Birdshot” debuted at the 29th Tokyo International Film Festival to critical acclaim, and bagged the Best Asian Future Film Award. It also won the CJ Entertainment Prize from the Asian Project Market, and has made it as an official selection for Göteborg Film Festival, nabbing the Ingmar Bergman International Debut Award there.

The film also made rounds in festivals around South Korea, Lithuania, Laos, Sweden, Thailand, and Belgium, and will compete in the New York Asian Film Festival, Taipei Film Festival, Valleta Film Festival, as well as the FACINE Film Festival.

Despite all that success, Majoy is still processing the newfound attention brought about by her well-received performance.

“While I was doing ‘Birdshot,’ I only thought of it as an acting project. I had no idea we were going to make it abroad or screen it nationwide. Hindi po talaga ako sanay, hindi pa po talaga nag-sink in sa akin yung fact na may pelikula ako,” Majoy reveals modestly.

In fact, this would be a year of firsts for her—“Birdshot” being her first ever feature film, the Tokyo flight her first plane ride and first trip abroad, the interview with Cebu media her very first press conference.

Despite being a rookie in the entertainment industry, the graduating tourism management student braved her first media meet-up alone, sans her director and co-stars, to carry the weight of promoting the film.

 The actress revealed that she had a bit of trouble with her acting since some people found her vibe a little mature for the part of a 14-year-old.

Majoy also had to study how to hold a gun, trained alongside her K-9 co-star Bala, and had learned the script by heart before going to their out-of-town location.

When asked about how she felt working alongside veteran actors John Arcilla, Ku Aquino, and Arnold Reyes, she had nothing to say but praise.

“I enjoyed the experience so much. Sure there were a lot of long nights but the people you meet, and the things you get to experience makes up for all of the struggle,” offers Majoy, who looks up to Toni Gonzaga and Maja Salvador for their versatility.

The rookie is also extremely grateful for the mentoring she received from the director and her co-stars, as well as the friendships she was able to build on set.

Movie critics and film reviews have nothing but love for Majoy—every single one commending her natural performance and imminent innocence.

Majoy admits that she gets flustered when people tease her about being an “artista.” She promotes “Birdshot” sure, but she does it in a quiet, unassuming way. She doesn’t even leave the house to begin with.

“When I’m not at home, I’m in school, and when I’m not in school I’m in Manila working foracting projects or maybe auditioning,” Majoy quips.

“Basta sa school or sa bahay, gusto ko lang na Majoy lang po ako. Yung simple lang, hindi ma-gimik, hindi sikat. Simple and normal lang talaga.”

In the future, Mary Joy would love to work with actors Paulo Avelino, John Lloyd Cruz and Ronnie Alonte, but for now her heart is still with independent films.

Majoy, lover of dogs and ice cream, hopes that her father who is working in Saudi Arabia would get to come home and see the film when it opens in theaters nationwide on August 16 for the first ever Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.

Her plans after graduation? Majoy is still not certain, but apart from acting, she does see herself accommodating people in hotels or airline companies.

“If there’s anything I’ve learned while doing ‘Birdshot,’ it’s just to be humble no matter what happens, no matter how far you go. And to keep on pursuing whatever it is that you want, even though you have doubts. After that masasabi mo na ‘Uy kaya ko pala!’” Majoy says. (FREEMAN)