“Merong pelikula na mas maha-highlight yung acting prowess ng actor kaysa sa akin”
Christian Bables is known to receive critical acclaim for most of his movies, particularly when it is an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival.
He was the breakout star of MMFF 2016 when he played Barbs in Regal Films’ “Die Beautiful” starring Paolo Ballesteros. In 2021, he snagged the Best Actor trophy in the MMFF entry “Big Night.”
However, for his current entry, “Broken Heart’s Trip,” Christian admits that he thinks he might not win the most-coveted acting trophy for the film fest.
In an interview with FreebieMNL and other reporters during the December 14 press conference of the movie, Christian was asked if he feels pressure to be pitted against other actors for the award.
Other actors headlining their MMFF movies are Alden Richards, Piolo Pascual, Derek Ramsay, Christopher de Leon, Matteo Guidicelli, and Dingdong Dantes, among others.
Christian humbly says, “Sorry, hindi po ako kinakabahan dahil alam ko na itong entry ko ngayon, well personally, ay hindi siya...”
Christian then paused and thought of how to phrase his answer.
He then says, “Okay, mas marami pang iba na may deserve ng Best Actor title.”
What made him think of this possibility?
Christian explains, “Kasi let’s be real and I want to be as honest as possible, itong pelikula namin, pagmamahal ‘to, maganda ‘tong pelikula namin, makakapagpasaya ito.
“But unlike ‘Big Night,’ unlike ‘Signal Rock,’ unlike ‘DieBeautiful,’ yun kasi alam mo yung tema niya, pang-award. This one, tama si Direk Lemuel Lorca, siguro possible na ensemble [award], pero Best Actor…
“Ito, I gave my 101% just like what I always do sa mga pelikula ko, pero merong pelikula na mas maha-highlight yung acting prowess ng actor kaysa sa akin. So, klaro yun sa akin.”
Christian reiterates that he did his best and gave his all for what the film requires him to do.
“Tulad naman ng mga unang pelikula ko po, basta alam kong ginawa ko yung best ko as an actor, that I guess is my gift to the film and to the producers.
“101% dedication and binuhos ko lahat ng kaya kong ibuhos para sa bawat pelikulang ginagawa ko.”
READ ALSO: Christian Bables Recalls Heartbreak Story That He Used As Hugot For “Broken Heart’s Trip”
Typecast in gay roles
In “Broken Heart’s Trip,” Christian plays the host of a TV show that features five heartbroken gays—played by Petite, Iyah Mina, Marvin Yap, Andoy Ranay, and Teejay Marquez—who are on a reality show that is shot in different destinations in the Philippines.
As the five contestants try to mend their hearts on the trip, Christian’s character also realizes what he has to work on himself.
Like the contestants, Christian is also playing a gay role in the film. Hence, he was asked if he felt he was being typecast for playing these roles in his projects.
He says, “I don’t think I’m being typecast kasi I just did ‘Dirty Linen,’ I did ‘Signal Rock’ na nanalo din naman dito, sa ibang bansa.
“So, more than the feeling na baka ma-typecast ako, it’s more of gratefulness, e, kasi pinagkakatiwala sa akin yung mga ganitong character.”
How does he differentiate every gay role he plays in his projects?
Christian explains, “Meron akong character map, yun yung mahalaga sa akin para ma-differentiate ko kasi kahit parehas na leaning towards the LGBTQ character, ibang tao pa rin naman yun, so lagi kong hinahanapan ng ibang katauhan yung character.”
“Broken Heart’s Trip” is one of the 10 entries to the MMFF. This year’s film fest winners will be announced in the “Gabi ng Parangal” ceremonies on December 27, 2023.
READ: Here’s What You Need To Know About MMFF 2023 Entries
Banner Art Paulo Correa
