Charlie and Nards Speak Their Minds
By Alex J. Socorro

“Matagal na ring wala,” says Charlie Davao who seems to have forgotten, what and when was, his last movie project. The consummate actor, who had portrayed lead and character roles with gusto, is saddened by the movie industry’s present plight. “Mahirap talaga ngayon, maraming problema sa industry but still here we are, di ba? Yes, piracy pero marami pang iba. The government, maybe, also the industry people themselves. Alam mo, marami rin ang producer na naloloko kaya maraming producer ang nadadala.”

“No, I’ve never heard of him,” Charlie shakes his head, referring to Felix Cantal, one of the new producers who recently suffered a series of flops due to improper business approach. Cantal had the intention of producing 30 films per year but was stymied by the unpredicted failures. One of his released films was Interpool, a comedy film that gave Palito a taste of the lead role. But for lack of promotions, the movie was shown for only two days. “Interpool? Teka, kasali ako dun,” Charlie smiles to erase his claim of not knowing the producer.

“It’s difficult to produce a film with a short budget,” Charlie continues lending his wisdom regarding the ills of the industry. “Pag kinapos ang pera, mabibitin lang. Making a movie is no joke. Dapat full-blown ang funding para aabot sa promotion ng pelikula. Mahirap pag walang promotion kaya madalas first day, last day ang nangyayari.”

After spilling out his mind on the problems besetting the industry, good old Charlie grins upon hearing kudos on his son’s performance in Mga Pusang Gala where Ricky’s portrayal of a gay writer had earned him a nomination for Best Actor in the forthcoming Luna Awards. “Sanay na si Ricky sa ganyang role,” Charlie quips while thinking of a repartee.

“I’ve been monitoring his career and I can say kaya niya talaga,” Charlie beams with pride. “Ang sarap nga nung ganun, sana makakuha rin ako ng ganung role,” false envy is evident in his tone. Despite playing various roles in his more than 40 years of acting, not only in local but also in some foreign films, Charlie still covets the gay portrayal that was shunned during his time.

Upon mention of a potential TV series being hatched by Jomari Avellana, Charlie’s face brightens up. “Aba, okay yun, a. Pero hindi pa niya nasabi sa akin.” Charlie shows excitement to play a paralytic. Pinoy Aksyon Dot Com is a pure action a la Charlie’s Angels with the lead role reserved for Charlie Davao. But Avellana is currently encountering difficulty in getting sponsors. “Sana matuloy para mabuhay ulit ang industry, ano? Sige, pag nagkausap kayo, give my regards to Mari, ha?” Charlie ends the impromptu interview with a curt smile coupled with a slight nod.

Presently a board member of the KDPP (Kapisanan ng mga Direktor ng Pelikulang Pilipino), Leonardo Garcia also laments the dire situation that the movie industry is in. “Dati hindi mo mabibilang ang pelikula. Saka madaling mag-shoot sa abroad noon pero ngayon mahirap kasi masyadong malaki ang gastos. Pero kaya pa rin naman kung malaki ang budget. Kaya lang hindi ka siguradong makakabawi. Unlike before, tubong-tubo ang mga producer. Sa akin lang, ang laki ng kinita nila sa akin noon,” the poker-faced director exudes a genuine smile.

As always, talks veer toward video piracy. “Alam mo, me connivance dyan kaya nagpo-prosper ang piracy. Hindi lang natin masabi kung sino, ano? Pero merong connivance. Kasi hindi naman puwedeng basta na lang lalabas yan at magtatagal. At alam mo ba? Sa abroad daw ginagawa, yes, sa Thailand nagma-manufacture ng mga DVD kaya nakakapagtaka rin kung paano nakakapasok dito sa atin. For sure may connivance nga.”

Momentarily steering the talk away from the films, Direk Nards harps on the society’s problems. “Yang mga MMDA na yan, kulang sa nalalaman. Minsan sisitahin ka tapos hindi naman nila alam kung bakit. Dati nasita ako sa Mayon (street near the Welcome rotunda) kasi nag-left turn ako. Pero hindi mali yun kasi wala namang ibang sasakyan. Paglapit ba naman sa akin, puntahan ko raw yung kapitan nila, gusto raw akong makausap. Sabi ko, kung gusto niya kong makausap, siya ang pumunta dito,” Direk Nards says with his stentorian voice which probably wilted the traffic aide’s desire for easy money.

Nards Garcia can boast of his blockbuster films particularly the Vilma Santos starrers. Ayokong Maging Kerida was shot in Los Angeles during the height of the Vilma Santos-Romeo Vasquez romance. “Maloko talaga yang si Bobby,” Nards restrains his chuckles and stops short of enumerating Romeo Vasquez’s escapades with women. “Teka, wag mo na lang isulat, ha? Nananahimik na kasi yung mga tao eh.”

His most memorable film was a casting coup in Pinagbuklod Ng Pag-Ibig which had the four hottest stars at the time – Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, Vilma Santos and (again) Romeo Vasquez. “Hindi nga sila maniwala eh kasi nilagyan ko ng production number. Pinagsayaw ko yung apat. That time walang kayang makagawa nun kaya nga akala peke (done with doubles) pero totoo silang nagsayaw, silang apat talaga yun. Ma-imagine mo na ang kinita ng pelikulang yun, ano? Tuwang-tuwa ang producer.”

Direk Nards had also made a lot of action films. He loved Ramon Revilla in particular. “Tatlo kaming nag-usap nung umpisa, si Ramon at yung Chinese producer. Sa coffee shop lang yun nabuo. Tapos shoot na kami. Si Janet Bordon ang babae dun. Pero kahit sino naman ang ipareha ke Ramon walang problema eh. Tumabo rin yun ng husto kaya ang dami kong nagawang pelikula para kay Ramon Revilla.”

At 72, Direk Nards is conscious of his health. “Wala naman akong diabetes pero pag me sugar ayoko. Buti na yung prevention kesa hintayin pa nating magkasakit, ano? Every six months nagpapa-checkup kami ng asawa ko.” Direk Nards recently bought a pack of special coffee from Nonoy of the Film Academy but he is to consult his doctor first before ingesting the beverage which was claimed to strengthen the body’s natural defenses against the elements. Turning to Nonoy, “Sige, itimpla mo na lang muna ko ng coffee. Walang sugar, ha?”

 

Comments to this article can be sent to ajsocorro@yahoo.com.