Wenn Deramas: Laughter despite the pain

MANILA, Philippines - Amid the pain, director Wenn Deramas managed to find laughter. Grief over his mother Lydia’s death did not stop the director of Star Cinema’s Ang Tanging Pamilya: A Marry-Go-Round from cracking jokes that made his guests at the wake laugh in spite of everything.

On the last day of the wake, direk Wenn told Regal Films’ Mother Lily Monteverde pointblank, “My mom knew how fast I spend my money. So please, Mother, if you do hire me, don’t give me postdated checks!”

Then, turning to his other visitors, the director deadpanned, “I’ll still need my mom even if I turn 80. So I hope you don’t mind if you still see her coffin when you go to our house!”

The day of the burial was a grand production unto itself. The grieving son instructed the staff to play April Boy’s sentimental Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin and seven singers, among them Agot Isidro, Claire dela Fuente and Dulce to perform.

Dulce rendered Matud Nila, a favorite of direk Wenn, while Claire performed Sayang, another meaningful song for the deceased.

Finding the lighter side of things even in the gloomiest situations is very direk Wenn. On the Ang Tanging Pamilya set, he made it a point to make his cast and crew feel comfortable and at ease with each other.

Toni Gonzaga, one of the stars, gushes, “Direk Wenn is funny. He’s nice to the entire crew. He sets the mood for all of us.”

The captain of the ship explains, “I make it a point to keep things light and easy on the set. We are doing a comedy so things should be fun. Any kind of tension will not be good for the film.”

So Ai-Ai de las Alas calls leading man, former President Joseph Estrada, “Papa.” The first-time co-stars swapped gifts (perfume and beauty products from Erap to Ai-Ai and kare-kare and kaldereta from Ai-Ai to Erap) as early as the first shooting day. 

Candy Pangilinan also horsed around with Erap, never mind if everyone calls him “President” on the set.

Ai-Ai and Candy took turns coaching newbie Dionisia Pacquiao (yes, Pacmom herself) in how to deliver punch lines and make the funniest facial expressions.

In return, the cast made things easy for their director.   Despite his more than 20 years acting experience, Erap didn’t protest when direk Wenn differed in his opinion about how something should be done on the set.

“The scene called for President Erap to deliver lines in broken English,” the director recounts. His lead star paused and told direk Wenn, “This may not work. Young people may not know this side of me that well.”

The director quickly allayed Erap’s fears.

“I think it’s a good idea because they know you served as president,” direk Wenn countered. 

End of story. Cameras rolled, pronto.

The cameras will continue to roll for direk Wenn next year, when he is poised to make two soaps — Habang May Buhay with Judy Ann Santos and Kokey. He is also looking forward to shooting a comedy about half-sisters, with Judy Ann and Sarah Geronimo as lead stars.

Life goes on, even after direk Wenn has survived a death in the family and a tragedy that claimed the life of one of the film’s crew members (the Super Ferry 9 he was in sunk at sea).

His losses have made direk Wenn stronger.

“I take comfort in the thought that I will reunite with my mom someday,” he relates.

In one moment of self-doubt, when he didn’t want even to get up from bed, he told himself, “If you don’t go to work, some people will not be able to earn for the day.” So off he went to the Ang Tanging Pamilya set, grieving heart and all.

And it’s not just a matter of working. It’s also about giving your best, despite your pain.

“Since I accepted this work, I have to give it all I’ve got no matter what,” he reasons out.

Still, this does not make direk Wenn’s heart shock-proof. 

“Now, the only thing that can faze me will involve my son Gab, who turned nine a day after I buried my mom,” admits the director.

So keep the punch lines going, let the good times roll. Direk Wenn will continue cracking jokes and making people forget their troubles through the wonders of TV and film. You may not see him skip a beat, but those close to him know he’s dealing with his own pain; nursing his own wound.

Yes, Direk. The show must go on — not just for you, but for Pinoys who need and want a good laugh in the most trying of times.