Big things coming up for Raymond

Multi-awarded actor Raymond Bagatsing is on a mighty roll.

Further giving credence to his reputation as a favorite in the film festival circuit, Raymond has not just one but two movies in the forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival this December: Crying Ladies and Filipinas.

Moreover, he will be given the rare chance to again penetrate the international scene with What a Wonderful Place, a new feature film produced by the Israel-based Norma Productions.

Raymond has high hopes for this project because it is from the same company that produced Broken Wings, Israel’s entry to the Oscar race and winner of various awards in the international film festival circuit, including the top honors at the Tokyo International Film Festival, the Jerusalem International Film Festival, and the Berlin International Film Festival (where it won the Panorama Audience Award, the International Confederation of Art Cinema Award, and the Ecumenical Jury Prize).

Indeed, What a Wonderful Place is touted to be another promising film, in the mold of Broken Wings. "Hopefully, it will be received just as warmly," Raymond says.

After reading the script of Wonderful Place, Raymond was easily convinced to accept the movie, the shoot of which took place in Israel for over two weeks. "I was there for more than 18 days," he shares. (He left late November for the Middle East.) If he sounds thrilled about the movie, it was not only because of the fact that his role, a Filipino caregiver based in Israel, is the central figure in one of the three episodes of a trilogy on migrant workers.

"For Israeli filmmakers to include a Filipino, to make him the lead character," Raymond intones, "that could only mean that our countrymen have really made an impact on them. Filipinos are already part of the reality and culture of present-day Israel." It’s really heartening, he adds with pride.

More than the personal honor, he is more enthusiastic about the fact that it will turn the spotlight on our country and the plight of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) everywhere.

"It feels great that the story of Filipinos will be included in such a major international film," he says enthusiastically.

As such, Raymond left no stone unturned in preparing himself for the task.

He makes no distinctions among projects, always giving 101 percent. "Whether it’s a big or small role, a local or a foreign movie, I treat it as an actor’s piece," he explains.

Raymond is no stranger to working on foreign productions. He played pivotal parts in Goodbye America (a Star Cinema co-production with a Hollywood company) and Clinic Under the Palm Trees (a German mini-series shot on the island of Boracay).

"Although Filipinos also try to be very professional, I’ve noticed that on foreign sets, the level of professionalism is exceptionally high," he says of the difference between local and foreign productions. "Here, we are always in a hurry to beat a deadline, a playdate. There are always budget and time constraints. But abroad, since they are working at a much slower pace, they are given time to really perfect the details. For example, based on my experience in foreign productions, we were given separate days for rehearsals before each shoot."

"That is something that is sadly lacking in local productions because we are always pressed for time and resources," he sighs.

Indeed, Raymond has what it takes to excel in a global playing field. He not only has the skill and talent, he also has the passion to shine in the highly competitive acting profession. Moreover, Raymond took up Directing in Melbourne University two years ago.

Once again, he brings his considerable expertise and experience to this new undertaking. That could very well be one of the primary reasons why he easily topped the Wonderful Place auditions, which attracted some of the best actors from both the movie industry and the legitimate stage.

There were only two Manila-based Filipino actors who landed plum roles in the Israeli film. Aside from Raymond, who won the role of Eddie the caregiver, Mai Mai Davao (younger sister of Ricky Davao) was tapped to portray his devoted wife.

To prepare for his role as a caregiver, Raymond read and studied the script religiously. He also interviewed his aunts and relatives who are working as nurses and caregivers in Australia and the US. He talked to and mingled with the real-life OFWs who act as extras in the movie.

"We have allotted one whole day with them," Raymond relates. "It’s our way of thanking them for cooperating and participating in the making of the movie."