CEBU, Philippines - "Impeccable comedic talent!"
"A stunning discovery!"
"The actor to watch!"
"A revelation!"
Martin Escudero must be floating on cloud nine these days hearing and reading all the rave reviews on his breakthrough performance as an uncouth hunk who involuntarily morphs into an effeminate eve.
The soft-spoken star of indie film Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington said he did not expect the rousing audience response when the comedy first premiered last month at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as the closing movie of Cinemalaya. "Para nga akong hihimatayin nun ‘eh kasi unang beses ipapalabas."
Nor did he foresee the praises that multiplied when their film held advance screenings in some key cities around the country. It's now his name on everyone's lips.
Raymond Lee, producer and one of the writers of Zombadings, stated that they initially had a shortlist for the actor who will play Remington, but that Martin’s last-minute audition blew them away. Lee shared, "When Martin auditioned, I was shocked. I had only seen him in dramas so while he was auditioning, I was thinking how come he had never been cast in a comedy before?"
It looks like destiny intervened for this Starstruck alumnus. He wouldn’t have learned about the auditions if not for actress Janice de Belen, with whom he shares manager Popoy Caritativo (whose current major wards are Dennis Trillo and Marian Rivera who does a cameo in Zombadings).
Martin recalled, "When I read the whole script, I fell in love not only with my character but with the whole film. I’ve been looking for a role like Remington’s for a long time. I wanted the role badly for myself. When I read the part where there’s a kissing scene, I knew it wouldn’t be easy but I also knew it was a big part of the story and a big help in completing the film."
Natural comic
While not showcased on his television work, Martin was apparently a natural comic even as a kid. He narrated how he loved making people laugh with his antics back then, including his mom who would be in stitches when he danced for her to the tune of Marimar.
"They found it so funny when I acted all gay. So I guess, I already had it in me. I just added other nuances while shooting. And when I was still doing workshops in ABS-CBN, we did exercises in comedy and I could tell my teachers found my jokes funny. Among my friends, I’m the clown. A lot have urged me to try comedy because they thought I had the potential. I was just really waiting for one good role," the 21-year-old said.
So when that good role finally landed on his lap, Martin wasted no time prepping for it. He watched films with gay portrayals such as Dennis Trillo’s Aishte Masu: 1941 and Roderick Paulate’s Petrang Kabayo and Bala At Lipstick. Among Hollywood flicks, he devoured To Wong Foo and Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar. He also observed his gay co-actors on set.
"There were a lot of gays in our film location Lucban. Especially those who acted as zombies, they were all gays so when we’re together on set, I studied how they moved, how they talked, when they talked in high or low pitch."
In a bathroom scene where his alter-ego Remington was trying to fight off his sudden tendency for swardspeak, he rapidly spews out such words as "twaley, fosey, doorlalu, inidora-the-explorer-de-chenebelles and timbaleigh" — hilariously delivered like a natural!
"I got those lines right before we had the take. Sir Raymond wrote them on that day itself. I just asked what they meant, and once I already mastered them, it was up to me how to deliver it. We just really played around with that scene."
Aside from his kissing scene with model-actor Kerbie Zamora, one other scene he found difficult was when he had to dance impromptu.
"That was hard since I had no coach. They just said that the scene would have me walking, and once I hear the music I should start dancing. So I made up my own choreography. I just did whatever steps came to mind."
Beginnings
This is not Martin’s first film. He has appeared in small parts in Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, Malikmata, and Shake Rattle and Roll 12. But Zombadings is his first as a lead actor.
Unknown to many, he started out in showbiz under the name Mart Butler. He joined ABS-CBN’s Star Circle Quest years ago, but failed to make the cut. Hero Angeles turned out to be the eventual winner of the batch he auditioned for.
Martin, a nephew of Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, didn’t give up on his dreams. On December 2006, he fortunately became one of the finalists for the fourth edition of GMA7’s Starstruck. He was declared one of the winners as Ultimate Loveteam with Kris Bernal, while Ultimate Hunk winner was Aljur Abrenica and Ultimate Sweetheart was Jewel Mische.
Jewel has since turned Kapamilya, but his batchmates Kris and Aljur have remained active at GMA.
Asked how he felt that Aljur has been criticized for his unimpressive acting especially in his last series Machete, while he has been enjoying critical praise, his reply was: "I’ve been hearing some things. But maybe I just have more experience than them because I started at 13. At that age I was already attending workshops at ABS-CBN."
Martin himself has moved on to another network for greener pastures. He was launched as a TV5 talent this year via the primetime drama series Babaeng Hampaslupa. He expressed contentment at his new home.
"I’m honestly very happy that TV5 accepted me and immediately gave me projects where my roles are really important. They have been showering me with much attention and have given me a good place in the network."
Whats next?
In the works for him is a part in Shake, Rattle & Roll 13 and another drama role in upcoming TV5 primetime soap Glamorosa which will star industry veterans Lorna Tolentino and Alice Dixson. Martin said he will be paired in the series with Star Factor runner-up Ritz Azul.
Now that he has ticked off ‘gay’ from his acting bucket list, there’s one other item he’d like to fulfill in the near future. Nope, it’s not an action film or playing romantic lead to a beautiful, sexy actress like other young actors like him wish. "Actually, there are only two roles I’ve been dreaming of: a gay and a psycho killer. I see these characters as delightful to play around with and could be attacked in different ways."