FOR the second time, comedian-actor Dennis Padilla portrays a gay role as an adoptive parent of Arianna Barreto, who essays the young Mutya Orquia in the romance-comedy-drama, ‘When Magic Hurts.’

“First time kong maging role ang nanay-nanayan,” admitted Dennis. “Lagi akong tatay-tatayan. Dito sa When Magic Hurts, nanay naman ang role ko. Kaya excited ako.”

In the past, though, he had played a gay role.

Dennis is truly happy to be part of the cast of When Magic Hurts, directed by Gabby Ramos and starring the young triumvirate of Beaver Magtalas, Mutya Orquia ang Maxine Trinidad.

“Tuwang tuwa ako sa pelikulang ito dahil napakaganda ng photography,” Dennis said. “Nag-shoot kami sa Atok, Benguet. Ang gagaling pa ng mga kasama kong artists. Matutuwa kayo sa movie na ‘ito.”

It was Dennis’ first time to reach Atok and shoot a film there. “Dati, Baguio lang, masaya ka na,” Dennis said. “Pero kapag nakarating ka ng Atok, mas masaya ‘yun kapag nakita mo ang beauty ng Atok.

“Nahirapan din ako ‘pag akyat dahil may bagyo. Noong bumiyahe kami, nahirapan akong pumunta sa Atok. Inabot kami ng limang oras sa dami ng landslides. Around eleven landslides ang dinaanan ko bago kami umabot sa Atok. Sobrang bagyo at ang lakas ng ulan.

“I think Atok is one of the highest levels in Northern Luzon. Mas mataas pa ito sa Sagada. Pero noong nakita ko na ang Atok the following morning, grabe, nasa Pilipinas lang pala ang dapat pag-shootingan ng mga filmmakers at gumagawa ng TV shows.

“So maganda ‘yung idea ni Direk Gabby na bago natin i-promote ang beauty ng ibang bansa, mas maganda na i-promote muna natin ang beauty ng sarili nating bansa para magkaroon tayo ng good local tourism.

“Instead na gastusin natin ang mga kinikita natin sa ibang bansa, try niyo muna to maximize the beauty of the Philippines.”

Dennis got another chance to work with his former sister-in-law, Claudine Barretto, whom he first work with when the latter was still a teenager in the weekly sitcom, ‘Oki Doki Dok,’ with Aga Muhlach.

They got to work together again in ‘Home Along da Riles,’ with the late ace comedian, Dolphy. “Kami ‘yung mga bagong characters na pumasok sa sitcom,” Dennis said. “Sa pelikula, first time namin ni Claudine magkatrabaho dito sa When Magic Hurts.”

“Ma-drama at very touching ang moments namin kasi sa totoong buhay, dati ko siyang kapatid. Dito, lalabas na ako ang magpapatuloy na mag-aalaga sa character ng young Mutya. Kasi something will happen to the character of Claudine.

“Talagang maluluha kayo sa eksena namin ni Claudine. Feel ko ‘yung role kasi daughter. Alam naman ng lahat ang buhay ko. Between me and my daughter. ‘Yun na yata ang isa sa mga pinaka-madali kong gawin kasi with my daughter in the film,”

Dennis and Claudine had a chance to bond while they were filming When Magic Hurts in Atok, Banguet. “We had three days to be together,” Dennis said. “Magkakatabi lang ang rooms namin.

“Then ang mga eksena namin, very touching. So masaya at talagang maluluha ang audience sa mga eksenang ginawa namin ni Claudine.”

With story and concept by Angel Gwenavere and Jerome Baguio as screenwriter, When Magic Hurts also stars veteran actors Soliman Cruz, Angelica Jones, Archie Adamos, Aileen Papin and Whitney Tyson.

Bankrolled by Rems Entertainment, the romance-comedy drama also casts young stars Julian Roxas, Mohaira Sanama, Pantene Palanca, Cassie Kim, Denna Bautista and Bluemark Roces.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio