Makiling’s Crazy 5 are themselves disturbed by their bullying antics
If viewers of the GMA Afternoon Prime series “Makiling” are shocked by the endless torment that the lead character Amira (Elle Villanueva) goes through in the hands of bullies dubbed the Crazy 5, best believe that the actors playing the antagonists are just as surprised that these scenes have been green-lit for airing.
“When we read the script, we thought, is this allowed for TV?” Kristoffer Martin recalled of his initial reaction during a press conference at Bayanihan Native Cuisine in Cebu City before he and co-actors Myrtle Sarrosa, Royce Cabrera, and Teejay Marquez bannered a mall show at Ayala Central Bloc.
Sarrosa’s Portia is the leader of the Crazy 5, consisting of Seb (Martin), Ren (Cabrera), Oliver (Marquez), and Maxine (Claire Castro). The group harasses Amira because she is a faith healer who has knowledge and possession of a magical flower with instant healing properties. Portia’s father, the tycoon Franco Terra (Mon Confiado) tasks Portia to acquire the magical flower at all costs – including intimidation – with the promise that she will succeed him as CEO of his company.
A scene that aired January 24 involved the Crazy Five placing Amira’s hand inside a blender.
“We were asking ourselves how we were going to do it. It’s scary because there was a blender and we had to make sure it was safe,” said Sarrosa. “There’s also a scene where we were car-drifting aroundAmira and it was scary because the cars were around her at the same time. But Direk [Conrado Delgado Peru] said it’s safe.Although it’s quite challenging, the production made sure what we are doing is safe, but at the same time, still makes viewers angry.”
Of course, the Crazy 5 actors don’t want to harm nor put Villanueva in an uncomfortable position, as executing these sequences can be exhausting on both sides.
“In real life, I am not like this, especially towards women,” said Marquez. “I told Direk, these scenes come out on TV and people will have issues and think Teejay is like this in real life.”
Added Martin, “It’s hard because I don’t like to do it towards my female co-actors. So I do establish consent with Elle. It’s a huge adjustment and I think trust is important.”
All is good for the main actress who feels she is in good hands with her onscreen enemies. “After every take, they would apologize because they feel bad, so I’m grateful they are my co-stars in this show,” Villanueva had told “24 Oras” in an interview before “Makiling’ premiered on January 8.
Sarrosa assured that her gang will get a taste of their own medicine when Amira starts her path of revenge in later episodes, with the assistance of the legendary Maria Makiling who is played by Rabiya Mateo.
“I do hope we will make it more easier for Elle. She will commit revenge towards us eventually,” Sarrosa said. “You will see why Makiling is helping Amira since they have similar experiences.”
- For the craft -
Sarrosa said the teleserye’s plot hit close to home for her, saying she had been bullied in school prior to winning “Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4” in 2012.
“When I was in Grade 1, I was a new student and there was a girl in school who didn’t like me. Back then, they would come up with games, like they would toss sand or paper at me, and she would forbid the rest of our classmates to talk to me. It was a very hard experience, so much so that I didn’t want to go to school,” the 29-year-old cosplayer told The FREEMAN.
“It was also the reason why I took an interest in animé. I was sometimes socially awkward, but after PBB, I saw the girl after 10 years during my homecoming party in a hotel I was staying at in Iloilo. She was an intern there and she apologized. Our interaction basically wrapped up the entire experience and there was sort of forgiveness on my end.”
The “Makiling” bullies said they are not worried about being potentially typecast for future roles.
“I am soft-spoken in real life. I want to portray antagonists because when you get the chance to play a character that is so far from who you are, it allows you to experiment so much in acting,” Sarrosa further said.
“It’s for the craft. I love acting when I am out of my comfort zone and I do this for fulfillment,” Martin added.