REMEMBERING HIS ROOTS

Despite his personal successes, JHETT TOLENTINO is passionate in his pursuit to bring Filipinos to the global mainstage

The first time Jhett Tolentino heard of the Tony Awards was in his Social Studies class in high school where they were asked who the first Filipino winner was. The answer is Lea Salonga, for Miss Saigon in 1991. Never did he think that he will eventually follow her footsteps, 22 years later. “I only knew and felt that there was something bigger outside of Iloilo (his hometown). I knew I would not be settling there. As for what it was, I didn’t know what it is. It was just a saga,” he shares.

Three Tonys and a Grammy later, Jhett returns with the intent of putting the spotlight on Filipino talent. “Back then, I always wondered why there was a lack of Filipinos on and offstage. Up to this date, I’m still the only Filipino producer on Broadway. That’s why I’m here. I’m trying to introduce the industry to Filipinos. Look around us. There might be money in China. But there’s also money here.” The self-taught producer continues, “Up to now, we still do not have a Broadway show about the Philippines. Filipino artists have been telling stories of Miss Saigon (Vietnam), King and I (Thailand), Flower Drum Song (China), Allegiance (Japan), and Evita (Argentina). But we don’t have one. We never had one.”

With Here Lies Love coming eventually to Broadway, Jhett hopes that the disco musical about the life of Imelda Marcos will not only give Filipinos something to be proud of but also give them a chance to shine on international shores. “A cast of 22 with 95% of them Filipino. Can you imagine if we open it globally? How many Filipinos could be a part of it?” he exclaims.

Jhett’s company 7107 Entertainment specializes in telling stories such as this. “We’re focusing on stories of the underrepresented and minorities, mostly Asians concentrating on Filipino stories. So I’m merging my Hollywood connection, my Broadway connection, and the Asian money because there’s a tide rising for Asian films now. You know Crazy Rich Asians? I was so proud to be a part of that. Searching, Bad Genius from Thailand... Now, First They Killed My Father from Cambodia. Last year, the big winner for Cannes was The Shoplifters from Japan. This January, The Farewell won in Sundance. So I don’t want to miss that train because it takes three years to make a film,” he shares.

In his documentary Life is What You Make It, which

Jhett produced, directed, and starred in, Jhett chronicles his return to his hometown after being away for years. We watch him shed tears for his mother, his source of strength and inspiration. Within visits to various places from his past, we witness how the hometown hero receives the warmest welcome. It is a touching account of his extraordinary journey. “His positive energy is to be cherished. When you come from struggle, you have more empathy for other people,” Broadway actress Melissa Van Der Schyff says of him. “Obviously he’s a good business person. But he is a reminder that within the business, there can be heart.”

“I don’t think I can ever go to my destination without looking back. Where I come from, with my very humble beginnings, I guess I put it upon myself to bring the

Filipino artists there [at the global stage],” Jhett shares. Being a commercial producer, he wants Philippine cinema to finally get the attention it deserves and earn well for it too. Filipinos have the creativity and the artistry, he proudly declares, citing films such as Kita Kita, Siargao, and Birdshot as recent favorites. But what we lack is the right business strategy.

At the moment, Jhett is busy promoting Lingua

Franca. The film, written, directed, and starred by Filipino transgender woman Isabel Sandoval, has been making the rounds of international film festivals and will be premiering here next month. “My style is always global. Stories that would transcend territories. I could sell it in Europe, I could sell it in the US, and parts of Asia. As long as you have one of the three big markets, that’s it! There’s so much money to make in the film industry,” he says.

For Jhett, a life of purpose is a selfless one, “I always do not think about myself. I always think about what

I can do to others.” His simple yet substantial life is a perfect example for those who dream, aspire, and hope. Wishing nobody gives up on their dreams, his assuring words in his documentary flawlessly ends it with the right encouragement, “Whatever it is that you want to do. Have a lot of patience. And always have room to give back. Life is what you make it.”