Directors Joel Lamangan, Joey Reyes look back on most amusing encounters with actors

Having conversations with friends Joel Lamangan and Joey Javier Reyes, two of the most widely respected directors in the Philippine film industry, can easily make time slip away.

Joel and Joey were guests in my 20-minute GMA program, “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” several days ago. It was a riot to have them on the show. People in the studio — and I’m sure all those watching on TV and online platforms, as well — were surprised and fascinated by their stories.

I reminded Joel that I once became his “actor” many moons ago in the theater play, “Rehas sa Tubig,” which he helmed at the Metropolitan Theater. It was a Palanca award-winning play, starring Angie Ferro and Spanky Manikan, among other theater luminaries.

It was a dream come true for me after I told the late Floy Quintos (a brilliant writer himself) that I wanted to be in the play and requested to give me a long exposure. My request was granted when I got the part as one of the narrators called “Ada ng Karagatan” in the said play. But guess what my costume was — I was covered with a green cloth from head to toe because “Ada ng Karagatan” was a lumot (moss), so no one actually saw me on stage the whole time.

Visibly amused by my story about my “acting break,” Joel and Joey believe that it takes talent for an actor to shine.

“Para magtagal sa isang industriya, kailangan may talento ka kahit hindi masyado mahusay ang ugali mo, tatagal ka. Marami dyan (na artista) na hanggang ngayon buhay pa, kahit hindi masyado maganda ang ugali,” remarked Joel.

Joey couldn’t agree more by telling that an artist is different from a celebrity.

“May tenure ‘yan, may expiration ‘yan kasi you can’t be on top all the time, ‘yung talento importante para tumagal ka, pero importante rin na marunong ka makisama.”

The two directors admitted they both had worked with actors with not-so-good attitudes off-screen, but they admired them so well for their acting chops.

“I must admit there were actors na tinitiis ko dahil ang sarap kasama sa set, binibigyan nila ng buhay at kahulugan ang aking buhay sa set. They’re active until now,” Joey said.

Joel revealed he would pick a fight with whoever mistreats anyone in the production crew.

Director Joey Javier Reyes looks back on a past misunderstanding with Richard Gomez on a movie set, saying they eventually reconciled, became good friends and now laugh about the incident.

But as professionals, both directors never walked out of their respective sets even if they hated their actors so much.

“I will finish the project because it’s a commitment, and chances are it’s the producer who chooses the actor. So, I will just do my job, but I won’t dare work with an actor with a bad attitude again. Siguro hanggang four reincarnations ayaw ko siya maka work ulit,” said Joey.

Joey also recalled his ugly past with Richard Gomez while on the movie set. He shared how Richard threw a hollow block in front of him and mildly punched him on the set due to a misunderstanding. But it didn’t take long for them to reconcile and they later on became good friends.

“Tumanda na kami at naging magkaibigan na kami. That’s really water under the bridge at pinagtatawanan lang namin ‘yun ‘pag nagkikita kami.”

Joel, for his part, also recalled how the late Superstar Nora Aunor confronted him after seeing the rushes of the movie “Sidhi.”

“Nagtampo siya sa akin at bakit daw napakahusay ni Glydel (Mercado) at hindi na ko pinansin, ayaw rin mag-dub. Sabi ko ‘pag hindi siya pumunta sa dubbing, dahil pipi naman ang role n’ya ay ipapa-dub ko na lang kay Ate Gay. At dumating naman, pero banned ako sa dubbing,” shared Joel.

Both directors confirmed that there are actors who love to make suggestions on the set, and they welcome them if they deem necessary. However, they never allow actors to question their credibility as directors. Actors can suggest or collaborate, but they are not free to dictate their director on what to do.

I asked them what they do to actors who cannot act. Joel recalled how he suggested one actor to work as a waiter instead of pursuing an acting career. “He did, and he thanked me for my advice. Nung nagkita kami sabi niya na sa Dubai na s’ya at head waiter na doon.”

Joey, on the other hand, relies on the marvel of editing whenever there’s one lacking in talent. “Most of the time, I do long shots or the lighting is dark. So, it won’t appear obvious.”

I asked who among the new generation of actors is a standout for them, Joey pointed out JM Ibarra’s impressive acting performance in the Cinemalaya film, “Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana,” directed by Dan Villegas. “If given a project, I wish to direct JM Ibarra,” Joey added.

Joel also echoed his admiration for JM’s acting talent by saying, “I also want to be his director (in a project). Napakahusay niya.”