How McLisse’s ‘onscreen dynamics’ changed since reconciliation

“Elisse (Joson) is your next Bea Alonzo!”

That was director Real Florido of the romance-drama, Habangbuhay, the second film team-up of McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson, more popularly known as the McLisse tandem, commenting on his lead actress.

“That’s how good she is,” the director remarked. “Magugulat din kayo kay McCoy kung gaano kalaki ang range na kaya niyang ibigay. These two young actors, mahaba pa ang tatakbuhin ng careers nila. I am not over patronizing the project. Sobrang happy ako that I got them as the main actors in Habangbuhay.”

Handling McLisse in their love scenes became a challenge for direk Real, although he didn’t have a hard time working with his actors, especially in their intimate scenes.

“That is an intimate thing for two people,” the director explained. “Hindi naman ako nahirapan. You have to make your actors feel secure. They are basically young people, so they are still going through the same challenge na young love crossing into adulthood.

“Sumakto pa rin ang kwento. Parang perfect pa rin ‘yung McLisse. I was really floored. Ang lalim pala nitong actors na ‘to na hindi pa nabibigyan ng highlight sa industry how good they are as actors.”

Direk Real noted how the dynamics between McCoy and Elisse changed now that the two actors are real-life partners. The director previously worked with Elisse in the iWant TV mini-series, Ampalaya Chronicles (2020). As a couple, McLisse was first paired in director Jaime Habac Jr.’s Sakaling Maging Tayo (2019).

“Iba na ang dynamics nila ngayon in real life,” direk Real said. “Ang challenge is paano bibigyang buhay (ang) dalawang characters who get the chance to fall in love with each other. Ang ganda ng naging resulta.

“Elisse and McCoy are very open to portraying the characters and the journey of their characters. Dinala namin ‘yung magandang relationship nila from real life to the set. So lahat ‘yun damay-damay na. Everybody was really excited working with them and working on this project.”

Direk Real commended McCoy and Elisse’s professionalism all throughout the filming of Habangbuhay.

“It’s nice to work with actors like McCoy and Elisse,” attested direk Real. “Walang ego sa set. They basically showed how good they are as people. That really worked for us. Masaya kami. Para lang kaming magba-barkada na gumagawa ng project namin.”

The cast and crew went into long preparation before they started filming. The actors even underwent a workshop. “Apart from the characterization, kasama din doon ang intimacy,” direk Real granted. “I’m very thankful to McCoy and Elisse because they were able to jump in sa space that we created for this project.

“Hindi ako nahirapan, but there were challenges. This movie turned out very beautiful. Nag-enjoy sila. We shot the intimate scene sa last (part of the shooting). By that time, very comfortable na sila even with all the people around them. We felt their energy.”

Thousands rejoiced, most especially their loyal followers, when McLisse got back together again, reuniting romantically. “It was not very easy,” Elisse allowed. “We had a past relationship, we separated and then we got back together. Now, nagkaroon kami ng anak and we are starting a family.”

Habangbuhay, set to stream starting April 22 on Vivamax, gave McLisse a lot of discoveries both as actors, adding new color and contrast to their craft.

“Ang haba ng process before we completed this movie,” Elisse admitted. “We have to consider the pandemic. First time namin to make a movie na may baby na kami. We decided to go for it. Sobrang matured scenes. Iba at bago sa amin.

“At the end of the day, what matters most to us is how we were able to perform sa ginawa naming film. Malalaman din namin how well we did. Kung ano (ang) kulang o sobra. But hearing it from the people you actually worked with, that made us proud.”

In the story, Elisse plays Bea, a girl diagnosed with Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID). Her body has low levels of protective antibodies, thus making her susceptible to various infections. Because of this, Bea does not have the luxury to go places.

Meanwhile, McCoy is JR, the family’s houseboy, taken in by Bea’s nanny years earlier, after finding him roaming the streets in tears.

Elisse shared they were both “excited” when the project was presented to them. “We were excited to work together again. We were excited to explore each other as actors. Hindi ko akalain na ganito ang magiging resulta. Ang tagal naming hindi nagka-work. Excited kami to show this to you.”