RS sheds glamour look for Bhoy Intsik

MANILA, Philippines - First, a clarification: Raymond Francisco, who topbills Joel Lamangan’s Bhoy Intsik, and RS Francisco, a commercial director who also acts in theatrical plays, TV series and films, is one and the same person. It was Raymond’s portrayal of Song Liling in M. Butterfly that gave birth to the screen name RS so as to have an ambiguous sound to his name to perfectly fit with the role.

Since then, the name RS stuck. The decision to use Raymond again has something to do with the plan of releasing Bhoy Intsik in film festivals abroad. The indie film is one of the five finalists in the third Sinag Maynila Independent Film Festival set to run from March 9 to 14 at SM Megamall, SM North EDSA, Gateway and Glorietta 4 Cinemas.

But whether he is Raymond for you or just simply RS, his passion for acting remains the same. In fact, he began his pursuit of acting at age seven by participating in school plays. “I love acting so much that getting paid for it didn’t even cross my mind,” he told The STAR and other select members of the entertainment press during a recent pocket interview.

Raymond recalled his astonishment when Tony Mabesa handed him an envelope after a stage performance years back. He refused to accept it yet Tony insisted and said it was his talent fee. “When I saw my name written on the envelope that had P2,500 in it, I was so happy because I was able to buy a branded pair of pants — a Benetton — that I’ve been wishing to have that time. So, I bought the pants at yung sukli pinambili ko ng Welsh juice at isang piling na saging para sa tatay ko (Rudy Francisco, who played the Alzheimer-stricken grandfather in a McDonald’s TVC).

Fast-forward to the present. Raymond has definitely been earning more because aside from manning Frontrow International as president, he gets a fair share of the spotlight as a commercial director and an actor mostly portraying glamorous gay characters, among them, were in Markova: Comfort Gay, Princess & I, She’s The One, Dolce Amore and Magkaribal.

In Bhoy Intsik, he is at it again yet, this time, sans the glamour and grace. “But I find the role attractive because it’s different from what I’ve done before. I did an immersion and from there, I realized there’s still more that I can do. I thought that I’ve already portrayed all types of gay characters, ‘yun pala meron pang another level na medyo low life (gays) but still they can afford to be ‘glamorous’ in their own way.”

Raymond, who is also one of the film’s executive producers, didn’t think twice about spending some time with gays living inside the cemetery in Cavite where the film was also shot. That way, he would effectively plunge and lose himself in the character as the tough gay and all-around hoodlum Bhoy Intsik. “I spoke with them to better understand their way of life. I asked, ‘Paano ‘yung mga lalaki n’yo?’ Of course, I have to ask kung paano bumu-booking eh wala namang motel since they’re living inside the cemetery and you’ll be surprised.”

He continued, “I couldn’t believe when I first heard about their stories until I saw with my two eyes their kind of lifestyle. They were sleeping on top of a tomb. Naliligo din sila sa ibabaw ng nitso. I think ito ‘yung pinaka unglamorous role ko.”

Just like a soldier ready for any battle, Raymond is certain of his ability to play whatever role lands on his lap. “Based on my past body of work, I can say that most of my roles dignify the gay male image. I don’t do roles that would make people look down on gays. I prefer those types na may magandang representation ng gay male.”

Proof to that were a number of acting projects he did for film and TV such as Markova where he fought for his right and his stints in MMK where he uplifted the gay pride by visibly reflecting the image of a principled, strong-minded and dignified gay man. 

“So when the role (as Bhoy Intsik) was offered to me, I initially tried to find out the character’s social status and his mindset as a gay person – kung ikakahiya ba siya ng mga bading or what.”

After having a better grasp of the story, Raymond had nothing but admiration for the character’s persona. Bhoy Intsik is a modern Robinhood who steals from the rich and shares the loot with the less fortunate. “When you watch the film, you’ll also learn that even if the character is a gay male, he knows how to deal with people like a real man na may isang salita; he fulfills his promise whatever it takes.

“If you ask me what the movie is about, well, it’s about sacrifice. It may sound weird but not until you get to see the whole picture.”

(Bhoy Intsik also stars Ronwaldo Martin, Jeric Raval, Mon Confiado. Elora Espano, Jim Pebanco, Tony Mabesa, Liz Alindogan, Shyr Valdez, Mile Lloren, Alvin Fortuna, Ahwel Paz and Dennis Coronel.)