MCCOY De Leon says he’s been offered projects which he chose to turn down because he knows he won’t be happy in doing them. But when Viva Films got him to do a new movie where he will co-star with Nadine Lustre, he quickly grabbed the opportunity. This is in “Deleter”, written and directed by acclaimed young filmmaker Mikhail Red.

“I got really excited because it will be my first time to work with Nadine Lustre, and also with our other co-star, Louise de los Reyes,” he says. “Nagkasama na kami ni Nadine sa ‘Showtime’, but it’s our first time to act together in a movie. It’s also nice to work again with Direk Mikhail na nakasama ko naman before sa horror flick na ‘Block Z’ which we did for Star Cinema.”

Is he doing any special preparation for “Deleter”? “Wala naman. I trust our director who’s very competent. But when I found out na kami ni Nadine, maraming scenes na magkasama kami, naghanap ako ng mga pictures niya sa internet at tinitigan kong mabuti. Para kapag nagkaharap na kami, hindi ako mabigla at baka hindi ako makaarte. Alam kong best actress winner na siya, e,” he laughs.

What’s his role in “Deleter”? “I play the role of Jace, a carefree, happy go lucky office worker na kasama nina Nadine as Lyra and Louis as Alieen sa trabaho. We work in a shadowy content moderators online. Ang trabaho namin is to moderate or filter ‘yung videos na dumaraan sa amin to remove any disturbing images before they are posted on various social media platforms.”

How does he get connected with Nadine’s character?

“Si Nadine, may pagka-loner siya. Ako naman, dahil masayahin, I try to amuse her with my wit and humor at napapangiti ko siya so we have a connection. Hindi ko alam, may nangyayari na palang misteryo sa office namin nang magpakamatay ang isang empleyado and starts haunting our office. Lumabas ‘yung video ng pagsu-suicide niya at kahit dini-delete na, hindi mabura at paulit-ulit pa ring lumalabas sa aming screens.”

How come he says he has turned down some projects offered to him before? “E, may projects na talaga na happy ka pati sa role na ipapagawa sa’yo, like yung past projects ko sa Viva gaya ng ‘Puto’ with Herbert Bautista and ‘yung ‘Habangbuhay’ namin ni Elisse (Joson, his partner). But may times talaga na nagso-sorry ako kay Boss Vic del Rosario, sabi ko, di ko magawa kasi di po ako masayang gawin. I want movies na hindi lang ako masaya kundi makakatulong sa growth ko bilang aktor. Yung may iba namang makikita sa akin at tatatak sa viewer. I’m glad they understand me naman. But when they pitched ‘Deleter’ to me, I grabbed it right away and I’m very thankful ako pati sa role na ibinigay nila akin.”

The director being Mikhail Red is a big factor for him. “Kasi nga nakatrabaho ko na siya and I know he aims for quality. Familiar ako sa lahat ng works niya and they are all unique. So when they were asking, do you have any questions, sabi ko, wala, wala po akong questions, gusto ko lang pong gawin na agad ang movie. Basta si Direk Mikhail, kahit extra lang ako, willing akong gawin.”

So how is Elisse and their Baby Felize now? “We’re all okay. Elisse and I are both more mature, more aware of our responsibilities for our family. May challenges na dumarating but ‘yung happiness na dulot ng baby namin compensates fore all the hardships that’s part of our journey. We are all thankful for all the help extended by our respective families. Malaking tulong talaga sila sa amin.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Mario Bautista