Jose tackles his ‘first’

MANILA, Philippines — Fresh from his stint as the gay foster father of Coco Martin’s Jack in Jack Em Popoy at the recent Metro Manila Film Festival, Jose Manalo starts the year with a bang by topbilling VST Productions’ maiden venture titled Boy Tokwa: Lodi ng Gapo, which is set to premiere today in cinemas nationwide.

Jose, who initially thought that the film’s producer Sen. Tito Sotto was kidding when he was offered to do the film a few years back, admitted that there was so much pressure because he knows there are expectations of him to make VST Productions’ first-ever project a success.

“Si Tito Sen ang kulit nang kulit sa akin nang matagal na. I thought he was just joking. I didn’t know that it would push through,” said Jose in the vernacular.

“I am pressured because I don’t want to fail him. Hindi naman dahil dito lang sa pelikula na ‘to na kapag hindi kumita wala nang tiwala hindi naman yun. Kaya lang, kumbaga sa isang sundalo, inatangan ka ng obligasyon. So I really had to grab the opportunity because it only happens once in a lifetime,” he said, adding that he was happy to be working again with director Tony Reyes. “Alam ko namang hindi magpapalabas ang isang direk Tony Reyes ng pelikula na basta-basta lang. Sabi ko nga kung ibang direktor baka kakabahan ako e.”

Asked why he was tapped to play Boy Tokwa, Jose replied that he was told the role was fitting because it was very him. “I guess his talkativeness bagay na bagay daw sa akin pero hindi ko na naisip pa kung bakit ako. The concept was formed because Tita Kitchy Benedicto told Tito Sen that Boy Tokwa, a good friend of Tita Kitchy’s deceased husband Robert Paulino, had a beautiful story.”

With director Tony Reyes (third from right), Kitchy Benedicto (second from right) and other members of the cast (from left) Stephanie Fontanel, Zara Tolentino and Xander Pineda

Boy Tokwa: Lodi ng Gapo is based on the true-to-life story of Rodrigo Morelos (a.k.a. Boy Tokwa) who was known in Olongapo as a con artist to foreigners but was loved by the community because of his loving nature, generosity and loyalty to friends. From the accounts of Boy Tokwa’s friends, the movie sees Boy Tokwa’s grandson Andy Morelos Woods return to the Philippines in search of the truth about his grandfather. He learns that his grandfather’s American dream did not succeed but it led him to Olongapo where his wit, ability and skills in card games became his tools for survival. Boy Tokwa met and courted Naval officer Anne McArthur, granddaughter of Gen. Douglas McArthur but was turned down. His journey eventually led him to meet Patricia Woods who was also a Naval officer. They married and had a child. But Boy found himself in the middle of a conflict within the community he considered his family.

Direk Tony, who agreed that Jose fits the role to a T, related that what’s good about the movie is “madali mo siyang kapain because it is a true-to-life story. The only challenge was on how we will attack the scenes because it is comedy with a touch of drama so mabigat yun. Jose is effective as Boy Tokwa, especially in the heavy scenes that you will really be carried away by him.”

Direk Tony added it was a breeze working with Jose and has already formed a rapport with the latter after working together for so many times.

“Kasi si Jose nung mag-start sa movie kami na ang unang magkasama e. The only difference here is it’s a really (challenging) project for us because No. 1, the concept is very good and everything but definitely I know how Jose felt like, ‘Direk, can I pull this off?’ Parang ganun kabigat yung project sa kanya. So we really did our best so that, at least, (the audience) will see who Jose Manalo really is. He is a comedian but you’ll see that he has the ability (galing), he has heart and everything.”

(Boy Tokwa: Lodi ng Gapo also stars Joey Marquez, Karel Marquez, Allan Paule, Buboy Villar, Gian Sotto, Mino Sotto, Sophie Rankin, Marija Debelic, Mark Savino, Stephanie Fontanel, Zara Tolentino and Xander Pineda.)