Newcomer nabs lead role in first Pinoy musical film "Emir"

It was Direk Chito Roño’s idea to make “Emir” a musical film, and the Film Development Council and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, who are the producers of the film, immediately embraced the idea.

Among the many hopefuls who auditioned for the title role, it was Francheska Farr, the winner of the “Are You The Next Big Star?” reality program, who bagged the much coveted role. This is by far the biggest role to have come Francheska’s way since she won in the reality-based singing search of GMA-7.

What it is with Francheska that made her clinch the role?

“Number one, it’s a musical and when it comes to singing, Francheska has the voice. Sa akin kasi, natural na natural pa ang dating ng boses niya. Hindi pa mannered. Hindi pa studied, at kaya pa, kung sino man ‘yung gumagawa ng kanta na mahulma sa kanyang character, sa development ng character niya mula sa umpisa hanggang sa tumanda siya,” explained Direk Chito.

“Secondly, you will be surprised with her performance as an actress. If you care to notice, she’s working with singers who are veterans of theater and in performing, but Francheska managed to hold her own. I think she performed at par with her more experienced co-stars. In other words, she was not left out. For me, I was really impressed with Francheska because she was able to meet the demands of the role.

He added, “At ang pinakagusto ko sa lahat, napaka-natural niyang artista. She’s new but you won’t notice that she’s having a difficult time adjusting to the role. Most of new stars being launched seem to be lost with the role that is given them.”

“With Francheska, she proved to be really in character. She starts in the movie as a 20-year-old and ages till she’s 40. She really adapted to the role very well. She’s very good. She’s a sincere performer, just like she is as an artist and as a singer,” the director said of his lead actress in “Emir.”

When asked to comment on the praises heaped on her by the famed director, Francheska said that, at first, she harbored feelings that she didn’t reserve such acting break.

“I didn’t know that I could act. I just went to the audition to give it a try plus pinilit po ako ni Mommy na mag-audition. I wanted to back out when I learned of the other stars, who auditioned. But it was my mom who was very insistent. Pakiramdam ko po, hindi ako swak sa role. And I also felt that the production people were probably saying I didn’t fit the role,” she said.

“And each time I’d report for the shoot, I have this feeling na minamaliit nila ako. Kaya nga po after hearing the good words of Direk Chito, nakakaiyak po talaga. Never ko pong nakita sa kanya na natutuwa siya sa akin,” Francheska very candidly remarked, sending everybody present at the presscon of “Emir” roaring with laughter. “Ngayon ko lang po narinig sa kanya (direk Chito) na okay pala ang ginawa ko. Hindi ko po alam kung ano ang sasabihin ko kay Direk after hearing his good words for me.”