Sweet acceptance
Comedy actor Sweet Lapus has always been out and proud – and happy too, he said
You’ll never fully understand a person’s struggle until you experience it yourself – this, actor John ‘Sweet’ Lapus learned while working on “Echorsis.”
You’ll never fully understand a person’s struggle until you experience it yourself – this, actor John ‘ Sweet’ Lapus learned while working on “Echorsis.”
The film has openly gay Sweet playing Kristoff who keeps his sexual orientation secret to his family. “Through my character’s eyes, nakita ko how hard it is for them na itago
kung sino talaga sila,” Sweet shared in an interview. Unlike his character in the movie, he didn’t have a hard time coming out. “I was never a paminta (closet gay). Never ako naging stiff and never kong itinago kung sino talaga ako.”
Looking back, he shared, “My father left us when I was in Grade 6, so mas
madali siguro in my case na mag- come out, unlike Kristoff na lumaki kasama ang tatay niyang military man.”
The 42-year- old actor-host admitted he actually used to get irked with closeted gays, noting, “Kadalasan kung sino pa ’yung nasa closet, sila pa ’yung nandidiri sa mga openly gay.” He has since accepted they have their reasons. “Siguro inisip nila na kailangan ganoon kasi nga dahil sa family o career...”
Sweet added, “Kahit saang anggulo mo tignan, mahirap ang situation nila kasi there’s a part of their life na limi
tado… like the way they talk, move, at dress... I could only imagine the stress that comes with it.”
He hopes “Echorsis” would inspire closeted gays to express who they are deep inside. “’ Yun kasi ’yung lesson sa character ni Kristoff eh, na life is too short, so you have to enjoy it,” he said. “Kung hindi
man makatulong ang film eh, ang wish ko na lang ay sana masaya sila sa pa
giging closet gay.”
A follow-up this early?
Film producer Chris Cahilig is so happy with Sweet’s performance in the film that the former is already thinking of doing more projects with the actor.
“What I really like is ’yung dramatic scenes. Ang galing ni Sweet, ang lala,
sobrang ganda,” Chris said. Sweet is thankful for the chance to portray a character quite removed from his past outings, most of which, he said, were created simply to “elicit laughter.” “Eh dito ’yung character ni Kristoff
ay napaka- depressing na bakla dahil nga closeted (gay) nga siya. Nakakata
wa ’yung totality ng situation pero ’yung character seryoso at may laman,” he explained.
Upholding their rights
Same-sex marriage remains a hot topic in the country. As a member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, Sweet is keen to step up to the plate to raise awareness of and understanding for the so-called “pink” people.
“Kailangan ’yun para ’yung mga taong hindi malawak ang pag-intindi ay maintindihan na mali pala na ( i- discriminate ang mga LGBT),” he said. He deems it more timely than ever, following Manny Pacquiao’s unfavorable comments on same-sex union. “Naging precedent sa mga tao ’yung
sinabi niya because he is famous and influential, so sa ayaw mo at sa gusto, there will be people na… hindi malawak ang pag-intindi sa mga bagay-bagay na may tendency- ng maniwala sa sinabi
niya,” Sweet said. Despite the boxer’s stand, Sweet made clear he still respects Manny as an athlete and will be among those rooting for him when he goes toe-to-toe with American Timothy Bradley in April.
“I will still wish na sana manalo siya pero kung hindi, hindi na ako malulungkot unlike before,” he said.
“Echorsis,” which opens on April 13 in cinemas nationwide, is directed by Lemuel Lorca. It also stars Alex Medina, Kean Cipriano, Alessandra de Rossi, Kiray Celis, and Nico Antonio, among others. (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)
‘Never ako naging stiff and never kong itinago kung sino talaga ako’