Eric Quizon: His winning streak continues

Eric Quizon appears to be on a winning streak when it comes to his film and TV projects of late. His films have brought him not only critical acclaim but also the awards. He clinched a number of Best Actor trophies for Mark Meily’s Crying Ladies, Unitel Pictures’ award-winning drama-comedy. Eric also earned raves for playing gay roles with aplomb in Joel Lamangan’s I Will Survive (with Maricel Soriano and Dina Bonnevie) and So...Happy Together (where he starred with Kris Aquino), the second top-grossing entry in last December’s Metro Manila Film Festival.

Gay roles are nothing new to Eric. He didn’t have qualms to engage in a kissing scene with Albert Martinez in Pusong Mamon. Eric also starred as a persecuted gay during World War II in Gil Portes’ true-to-life drama, Markova, with his dad Dolphy and brother Jeffrey Quizon. In fact, the three earned Best Actor trophies from the Brussels International Film Festival for Markova.

Eric even gave his nod to the remake of Ang Tatay Kong Nanay, also with Joel Lamangan at the helm. The film of the same title starred Dolphy with Niño Muhlach in the ‘70s and gave both performers acting awards.

"But I don’t think I would be able to do films in the next five months because I’ll be really busy with TV projects," Eric grants.

True enough, Eric’s winning streak extends to television. His new musical-comedy gag show, Quizon Avenue, premiered last Saturday on ABS-CBN. The weekly program marks his TV reunion with his dad, whom he worked with in the RPN 9 sitcom, Plaza 1899. Quizon Avenue also marks Eric’s return to ABS-CBN, where he was last seen in the weekly primetime drama, Your Honor, with Joel Lamangan as director. "That was a really good show, but unfortunately, it only ran for six months," Eric says.

Quizon Avenue stars Eric’s siblings, Jeffrey and Vandolph, with Al Quinn at the helm. Others in the cast are comedians Pokwang, Ya-Chang and Kitkat, with erstwhile MTB: Ang Saya-Saya TV host Jenny Hernandez.

When asked if he enjoys comedy better than drama, Eric explains. "Definitely, I’m not a performer. Making a stand-up comedy onstage to make people laugh is not my cup of tea. I’d like to think that I’m more of an actor. Give me a situation and I’ll do something about it."

While he remains visible in front of the cameras, Eric, who is being managed by Dolor Guevarra, will also have his hands full with directorial projects. He works four times a week for a fantasy-drama series and also hosts, directs and co-produces Road Trip, a travel show which he hosts with Jeffrey.

"I can work for any network," Eric asserts happily. "I don’t want to be torn between the network wars. That can be very unproductive. I don’t see any pressure with getting involved in the network wars. I don’t want to burn bridges."

Eric is also set to work as associate director to Mark Solomon in Wrinkles, a Filipino film produced by Romeo Joven and Ernest Escaler, to be shot entirely in Hollywood. The project initially had Lou Diamond Philips in the lead role, but the Fil-American actor was said to have backed out from the production. The Filipino cast of Wrinkles includes Lilia Dizon, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Gina Pareño, Rosa Rosal, Mila Ocampo, Angel Aquino, Jericho Rosales, Robert Arevalo, Eddie Garcia and even Martin Nievera in a cameo role.

While he also used to produce films under his production outfit, Kaizz Ventures, Eric has stopped gambling his millions on film production. His last undertaking as a producer was Pagdating ng Panahon which he did with Aiko Melendez, shown in 1998. "It’s very expensive and risky to produce movies," Eric maintains. "An independent producer like me cannot afford to lose huge amount of money. But my company is also doing a lot of line productions lately."

Eric admits that being Dolphy’s son has given him an edge in the business, but the younger Quizon proved his own merit earlier on in his career and easily eased himself out of the shadow of his popular father.

"When I was a kid, there were mean people who would call me ‘anak sa labas’ and I felt bad about it," Eric shares. "When you were young, you don’t understand it. But now that I’m older and wiser, I’m so happy and blessed to be Dolphy’s son. He’s always acknowledged me as his son and as long as he’s proud of me, I don’t care what other people will say anymore."

Aside from the features and acting genes that he took after his dad, Eric believes he also inherited his dad’s generous nature and benevolent way of helping other people. "People love to come to us with their problems," Eric says. "I help in whatever way I can. My dad always loves to help. He’s like that and he never expects anything in return."

From his dad, Eric has followed this piece of advice which has served him in good stead. "He always tells me, ‘Be yourself. Don’t pretend to be something that you’re not.’ Basically, I’ve abided with that piece of advice. It’s best for people to know who you really are or what you are and they know how they will accept you."

Eric cannot be thankful enough for all the good breaks that continue to come his way and for all the blessings he receives. "When I pray, I never ask for anything nor do I question God for anything that has happened in my life. I always pray for what He wants for me and if I deserve it, I’ll gladly accept it."