Jerald wonders why comedic acting rarely gets awards
JERALD Napoles’ career no doubt prospered when he moved to Viva Entertainment. He now has two new films being shown one after the other. First is the sex-comedy “Kaka” with new sexpot Sunshine Guimary to open via streaming on May 28, to be quickly followed by “Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdan” with real life girlfriend Kim Molina on June 11.
How did he and Kim meet? “We met while doing ‘Rak of Aegis’ sa PETA almost seven years ago,” he says. “Naging vocal coach ko siya as she’s the better singer. Sa acting naman, lumalapit siya sa akin kasi mas experienced ako sa kanya as an actor. We never thought we’d star in our own movies, kasi comedic actors-singers kami. But then, nag-click yung ‘Jowable’ so now, heto ang second film namin, ‘Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam’.”
So what’s the acting advice he has given to Kim? “Itong ‘Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam’, ibang-iba ito sa ‘Jowable’ kasi may drama. She’s afflicted with congenital insensitivity to pain kaya siya walang pakiramdam. Maraming eksena dapat wala siyang ipakitang emotions so ang advice ko sa kanya, read all the subtexts in the scene and in your lines, para maisama mo sa acting mo.”
His character in the film is speech-impaired as he has a cleft palate so he is a “ngongo”. Award-giving bodies usually give awards to drama actors but comedians like him are rarely considered. How does he feel about this?
“E, ganun talaga. Mas pinapaboran nila ang drama kaysa something light or funny. Ang iba kasi, ang tingin nila, ay sa comedy ka lang! Nakakatawa ka lang! Ang best actor award kasi, it sounds so serious. E ako, sabi nila, nakikita ka pa lang namin, natatawa na kami. Hindi nila tinitingnan ‘yung range ng acting mo.”
Does he have a role model as an actor? “Yes, ang influence ko talaga is the late Robin Williams. ‘Yung range niya. Puwede siyang dark serious, puwedeng light pambata, so he won the Oscar. Kami sa teatro di kami namimili ng role, e. Kung ano ibibigay nyo sa’min, tatanggapin namin kasi nga mas malawak ang range namin.”
Does he have steamy scenes with Kim in “Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam”, like his love scenes with Sunshine Guimary in “Kaka”? “Ay, wala kaming steamy scenes ni Kim dito like in ‘Kaka’. Wholesome kami.”
Then Kim adds: “Pero pagkatapos ng shooting, dun, meron.”
Since they’ve been together for almost 7 years, do they intend to settle down soon? “Wala pa sa plano namin ‘yan kasi late bloomer kasi kami sa careers namin. Parang we’re just starting, so gusto muna naming i-maximize ito and the opportunities that come our way. Isa pa, may pandemya, so hindi namin napag-uusapan ‘yan. Hintayin muna nating matapos ito.”
