Richard Quan relished working with director Mike de Leon

CEBU, Philippines — Richard Quan said he never had expectations of Mike de Leon, who directed the much-talked about film “Citizen Kane,” the debut acting assignment of journalist Atom Araullo.

“All I know is that he is a good director, a special director, but I would say that what makes me say he is a great director was because of my experience working with him in ‘Citizen Kane,” said Richard in an interview after the invitational screening of the film last Saturday, March 10, at the UP Film Center.

He had watched the film “Kisapmata” but Richard said he didn’t know it was directed by Mike. The said film made a good impression on him and he was amazed upon learning it was helmed by Mike de Leon.

“I will cherish the experience working with Direk Mike. One thing I won’t forget was that instance after rehearsing a scene for two hours, after exhausting his actors, he asked if we were comfortable with the scene. It was the first time in my 20-year career that I heard that from a director. What is amazing about him is that he gives his actors space and makes sure that you are comfortable, which is a basic requirement for good acting,” the actor said.

In the 11 days that he spent shooting “Citizen Jake,” he said Direk Mike was a very cool director, contrary to the rumors that he throws tantrums on set.

Since he didn’t know much about Direk Mike, he was brave enough to approach him on his first day of filming to ask something about his role.

“Eh wala palang lumalapit sa kanya so parang the people on set had their eyes on me when I went to Direk Mike. You don’t do that to a Mike de Leon. Eh mainit daw ang ulo ni Direk that day pero when I asked him about my role, okay naman siya,” Richard recalled.

Working with Direk Mike was a memorable experience for Richard and it was made even more notable after he watched the film. “I was surprised with how the film turned out. I didn’t expect the outcome to be that good. It is different doing the film and then watching it on a premiere,” said Richard who plays Enchong, the hitman of Senator Jacobo Herrera played by Teroy De Guzman.

“The film is very brave and delivers a very strong message,” shared Richard. “It was done impressively and it is an eye-opener not only for the younger generation, but also serves as a reminder to the older generation. It’s an experience.”

Some of my friends who also watched the film opined that Atom was the weakest link, acting-wise,  among the cast members which include Nonie Buencamino, Cherie Gil, Max Collins, Nanding Joseph, Allan Allandy, Ruby Ruiz, Lou Veloso and Gabby Eigenmann.

They felt Atom failed to deliver. But for us, Atom did fairly well as an acting neophyte working on his first movie. He held his own alongside the more experienced actors. We don’t think Direk Mike would have gotten him if he was not fit for the role. And if he didn’t deliver, Direk Mike would have probably replaced him.

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Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate is a long-time friend even before he entered politics. We probably met him in one of the comedy films he did for Regal Films with Maricel Soriano and William Martinez.

We are probably friends for more than three decades now and we didn’t realize it has been that long already. Even if he became a public servant, Kuya Dick would reach out every now and then just to say hello to long time friends. It may be just a phone call to reconnect with his old buddies from the movie press.

Kuya Dick had been kept busy in his job as public servant in QC’s 2nd District and this will end next year as he will have completed three terms as a councilor. If we know Kuya Dick, he wouldn’t want to lose touch with his constituents. He still would want to serve in any way he can.

We wish that he can still continue doing his job as a public servant and he will probably do that if there is a strong public clamor.