Chinoys among us

You won’t miss them — the Chinoys among us. They are your close friends, almost like your brothers and sisters, and your confidantes. The most visible of them are those in the media (the Go Clan that owns the Star Publications, the Yap Family that owns Manila Bulletin, and the Gokongweis who own Summit Publications, et al) and in showbiz, to name some: Jose Mari Chan, Frenchie Dy, Richard Poon, Danny Tann and Nonoy Tan, singers and composers; Chris Tiu, James Yap, Teng brothers Jeron and Jeric, Atoy Co, Samboy Lim and Paul Lee, basketball stars; Mother Lily Monteverde, Wilson Tieng, Amado Tan, William Lao, Baby Go, Alemberg Ang, Jessie Chua, Wilson Yuloque (of Pioneer Films) and Robbie Tan, movie producers; Cathy Yang, Luane Dy and Gretchen Ho, TV hosts; Shirley Kuan and Malou Choa-Fagar, talent managers; Ricky Lee, Senedy Que and Bing Lao, scriptwriters; Liz Uy and Jeannie Lim Goulbourn, fashion designers; Miss Earth Angelia Ong; Jullie Yap-Daza, Tim Yap, Doreen Yu, Wilson Lee Flores, Kane Errol Choa, Francis Kong, Oscar Franklin Tan, Raymond Ang and Nancy Lu, journalists; and the Dee brothers Enchong and AJ, Dennis Trillo (Ho), LJ Reyes, Joyce Ching, Kim Chiu, Heart Evangelista (Ongpauco), Xian Lim, Rachelle Ann Go, Ricardo Cepeda (Go), Derek Dee, Fred Lo, Carlene Ang Aguilar and Chinkee Tan, actors; Rudy Tee, Narciso Chan, Ramon Chuaying and Kathleen Dy-Go, recording; and Ben Chan, Carlos Chan, Bernie Liu, Andrew Tan, George Yang (also a singer), Tony Tan Caktiong, Henry Sy and Lucio Tan, entrepreneurs.

And, of course, there’s Richard Yap (full name Richard Edison Uy Yap, born on May 18, 1967) who started in commercials (Chowking, etc.) before he ventured into television playing…what else?...a Chinoy first in Binondo Girl (with Kim Chiu among his co-stars) and then in Be Careful With My Heart, the landmark tele-romance in which he played Ser Chief to Jodi Sta. Maria’s nanny.

In Mano Po 7: Chinoy, Regal Films’ Christmas offering, Richard plays a business tycoon who is overly protective and very strict with his loved ones (as most Chinese are), with Jean Garcia as his wife and, as their children, Enchong, Janella Salvador and Jana Agoncillo, with Marlo Mortel, Jessy Mendiola, Kean Cipriano and Jake Cuenca completing the all-star cast.

Regal Matriarch Lily Monteverde and daughter Roselle are going full blast in the movie’s promo, including a tour of Chinese schools (Chiang Kai Shek College, St. Stephen‘s High School, Hope Christian High School and Uno High School in Binondo and Sta. Cruz, Manila), a red carpet reception during the movie’s premiere and a grand parade today around the Filipino-Chinese community in Binondo.

How did you feel when Mano Po 7 was “snubbed” by the MMFF screening committee?

“Of course, my natural reaction was disappointment that we were not included in the MMFF. But after thinking it over, I realized that God might have better plans for us. Like they say, ‘When God closes a door, He opens a window somewhere.’”

Tell us about your character in Mano Po 7.

“I play Wilson Wong, a typical Fil-Chinese who is successful in business and in all aspects of his life but is somewhat lacking when it comes to showing his love and affection to his family.”

What is in the character that you see yourself?

“I would say that there are parts of the character I play that are like me in some ways. I used to be uncomfortable in showing affection when I was younger. My wife showed me how and changed me for the better.”

Being a Chinoy, did you find it easier to flesh out the character? How much of your dialogue is in Chinese (with subtitles)?

“I think it definitely helped that I am Chinoy. By knowing and understanding the culture, it helped a lot in shaping the character that I would play. I think about 20 to 25 percent of my dialogue is in Chinese (Fookien).”

After Be Careful With My Heart, you have been gradually graduating from light drama to heavier drama such as in Just The 3 Of Us (as the father of John Lloyd Cruz) and now in Mano Po: 7. How did you find the transition?

“I think that everything that I have done in the past has been a big help in the transition to doing more drama. It’s quite challenging but we all have to be flexible in this industry and there is the need to evolve.”

What are some of the scenes in Mano Po 7 that remind you of growing up in a Chinese family? Any Chinese traditions/customs that were part of your growing up as a Chinoy?

“Well, definitely the Sunday lunch that most families have together. Then there is the offering of food and lighting of incense sticks to honor the departed and to pray to the saints. There is also the tradition of the engagement which is one of the highlights in the movie.”

One Chinese custom is to marry off a son or a daughter to a fellow Chinese. Didn’t you find any resistance (objection) when you chose to marry a Filipina? (Richard’s wife Melody is a former PAL flight attendant; they have two children, Dylan and Ashley.)

“My father was traditional when it came to us men. Definitely, there was resistance when it came to me marrying a Filipina, but I chose to fight for love until my father had no choice but to give in. It took a couple of years though before he gave in.”

How much of you is Chinese and how much is Filipino, in blood and custom/tradition-wise?

“I am 100-percent Chinese by blood but since I was born and raised here, I am definitely half-Filipino when it comes to practicing customs and traditions. I would say I am part of the newer generation of Fil-Chinese who embrace more of the Filipino culture. I am fluent in conversational Fookien and I studied in a Chinese Jesuit school, which was Sacred Heart School, Ateneo de Cebu.”

Are you raising your children the way you were raised by your parents?

“I think I’m raising them more of a combination of the Filipino and Chinese tradition since their upbringing is influenced by me and my wife. Of course, I try to teach them the good values which I got from my parents and also about business and handling finances.”

How are you as a father in real life compared to your father role in Mano Po 7?

“Well, my kids say I’m a cool dad so there’s a big difference from the character that I play in the movie.”

Have you, like some Chinoys, ever been bullied because of your Chinese-ness, and how did you deal with it?

“I think most everybody gets bullied at some point in their lives and I had that experience when I was in grade school. I chose to do something about it the Chinese way and learned martial arts.”

What were your memorable moments during the movie’s shoot in Taiwan?

“I think the most memorable moment was when we were caught in the typhoon. The bus was swaying and had difficulty moving because of the strong wind. Aside from that, another memorable moment was when we were allowed to go into the chamber of the temple where it is normally not open to everyone. There you could feel the peace which you can only feel in a sacred place.”

Any roles you would like to play (and why)?

“I think there are so many roles that I still have to experience. I would like to explore and try to do as many as I can.”

Any famous Chinese (businessman, politician or whatever) you would like to portray?

“I think it would be interesting to play the role of Lee Kuan Yew and how he turned Singapore from a Third World country into a First World one.”

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected].)