Kindred Spirits
Theatre Arts classmates JM de Guzman and Arci Muñoz have a ‘reunion’ in their first movie together about heartbreak and second chances.
Theatre Arts classmates JM de Guzman and Arci Muñoz have a "reunion" in their first movie together about heartbreak and second chances.
Despite working together in a movie for the first time, JM de Guzman and Arci Muñoz are “comfortable” with each other because they’ve been good friends since their University of the Philippines days.
In an interview, the two revealed they both took up Theatre Arts and joined Dulaang UP.
“That time, we worked behind the scenes. We fixed the costumes, props, and all other stuff,” JM shared.
The actor recalled he used to be Arci’s “defender.” According to him, she was the girl-next-door in the campus that guys swooned over.
Given their closeness, one would think something romantic probably brewed between them then. But Arci laughed at the suggestion, confessing she thought JM is gay.
“But only because I beleived there’s no straight guy in Dulaang UP. So when he joined, my friends and I would say, ‘Nako, mag-kacome out din ’yan soon,’” she laughed.
JM found her “attractive” but he didn’t pursue her because she was boyish.
She thinks he is gay, he thinks she is lesbian. Isn’t that “perfect,” we asked.
“I guess there’s no malice between us talaga,” Arci noted. “We treat each other like brother and sister so there is no chance of us becoming a couple.”
She went on: “It matters a lot to me that we’re able to work with each other now. I feel very comfortable. And this film helped strengthen our friendship even more.”
Movie within a movie
“Last Fool Show” is about Mayessa (Arci), an award-winning indie writer/director who gets that once in a lifetime chance of working for her dream production company.
Tasked to make a romanticcomedy movie as her first project, she didn’t know where to start. Then, voila, she and her friends come up with the brilliant idea of turning her own love story with her ex-boyfriend, Paulo (JM), into a movie.
Now that she is forced to relive their memories, can she avoid the feelings that come with it?
The storyline somehow mirrors the life of director Eduardo Roy Jr.
“‘MMK’ ni direk ’to!” Arci quipped.
Eduardo laughed then said he’s thankful production outfit Star Cinema allowed him to work with Arci and JM, who both happen to be his favorites.
“I watched almost all of Arci’s film. And I see how good she is when it comes to rom-com,” he said. “As for JM, I watched ‘Araw Gabi,’ but he was a dramatic actor there. I got the chance to see his funny, kolokoy side through this film.”
Some of the scenes were shot in Boracay during which the actors felt they were just on vacation.
“It was a fun experience. Everything was chill and that definitely reflected in the output,” JM said.
Produced with N2 and Emba, the film also stars Jaymee Katanyag, Alora Sasam, Via Antonio, VJ Mendoza, Chamyto Aguedan, Kris Janson, Victor Silayan, Erin Ocampo,
Pat Sugui, Cholo Barretto, Josef Elizalde, Menggie Cobarrubias, Gina Alajar, Arlene Muhlach, and Bibeth Orteza.
“Last Fool Show” opens April 10 on cinemas nationwide.
Of lessons
Since the movie deals with heartbreak and moving on, we asked the two how far did (or will) they go when it comes to love.
“If you’re in love, automatic you will be tanga,” said she. “And there’s nothing wrong about it. You just have to set limitations for yourself. If you think your actions are way too much, you have to balance it so at the end of the day, meron ka pa ding naitira para sarili mo.’” JM, on his part, said: “I agree. There’s nothing wrong with
‘pagkakatanga’ as long as you choose the worthy person.”
Each of them has been in failed relationships with both managing to stand strong with the help of friends and family.
“It’s no secret that I became really depressed because of the pain I felt. But here I am, trying to succeed in the industry. I don’t want to waste the second chance that has been given to me,” he said.
She related: “I guess the reason some of my past boyfriends hurt me is because they don’t how to handle a strong woman. The advice I could give those who experience the same is to keep their relationship with God. Change the negative into positive. Me, I am thankful my dad was there during my first heartbreak. I remember he told me, ‘There’s only one man who will not hurt you and that’s me.’ So you just have to open yourself, go out with your friends and use the pain to make your life
better.”
Out of the limelight
It’s no secret that JM went through a rough patch in life, spending several months in a rehabilitation center due to drug abuse.
Though the once “troubled actor” is back in harness, he said he is still “fighting an internal war” every day.
“When the doctors assessed me, they said that I was unconsciously trying to sabotage myself. I was crying for help because I am overwhelmed with emotions,” he narrated. “I may look okay now, but I’m still overcoming the anxiety every day.”
“I still attend therapy sessions. I could say that I’m fighting the good fight and I will not give up,” he added.
Anyway, at the press conference, Arci accidentally hinted there’s something going on between JM and Ria Atayde.
Asked about it, the actor said he gets easily attached with a “positive person.”
“She’s really kind and we’re good friend,” was how he put it.
Prodded if he ever thought of courting the daughter of Sylvia Sanchez, JM would rather not speak with finality.
“Right now, my priority is my career. Hindi ko pa alam… so let’s just see,” he said.
Meanwhile, Arci had been the subject of “criticisms,” accusing her of undergoing cosmetic surgery.
Without directly confirming the matter, the actress admitted she “hated” herself for doing that.
“Again, I’m saying there’s nothing wrong with that (going under the knife), but in my case, it became too much na I questioned myself, ‘Hindi
ba ako maganda?’” she said. “It’s not rumors anymore, I mean it’s out and a lot of haters come out because of that action. Now, I’m contented with what I am, with what I have. The important thing is the beauty inside of me.”
The 30-year-old is in a relationship with businessman Anthony Ng and she hopes he’s “the one.” Is marriage in the offing? “Let’s see,” she smiled.