Boyet: 53 lessons in life

In his 35 years as an actor, Christopher “Boyet” de Leon has portrayed every character in the book, from good guys (as he always does) to bad guys (as he sometimes does).

In Sa’yo Lamang, the 17th-anniversary offering of Star Cinema directed by Laurice Guillen and opening nationwide on Wednesday, Sept. 1, Boyet is reunited with Lorna Tolentino in a family drama reminiscent of the 2000 award-winning film Tanging Yaman also directed by Guillen that swept the awards and finished the top-grosser of that year’s Metro Filmfest.

But Boyet claimed that his foremost role is played away from the cameras and that’s as husband to Sandy Andolong and father to their five children (Rafael Sandino, 25; Juan Carlos Miguel, 23; Gabriel, 19; Mariel, 17; and Mica, 13), and Ian (Boyet’s son with ex-wife Nora Aunor).

“I’m feeling lonely these days,” said Boyet during this interview. “Sandy has just left the other day to accompany Mariel to New Zealand where she’s taking up Culinary Arts. She’s staying with Sandino who’s based there. Miguel naman is working in San Francisco.” (Ian and his family live in a separate house at the family compound in Parañaque City.)

Boyet will turn 53 on Oct. 31 yet. Just the same, Funfare asked him to make a list of the 53 lessons he has learned in life.

“Life is a never-ending learning process,” conceded Boyet. “So far, these are some of the lessons I have learned.”

Being an actor gives me a chance to be other people from whom I learn more about life.

My first movie with Lorna was Pipikutin Kita. That was ages ago. She was only 16 then. We’ve done several movies since then. She’s a meticulous actress and I like that.

 I haven’t really found out if politics is as dirty as or dirtier than showbiz. I’ve been sitting as board member for only two months and I have enough time to do that. It’s a learning experience and I’m enjoying it. Very enriching just like acting.

As a husband, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate myself…ano ba ang pasado?...seven? Yes, 7.

 As a father, on a scale of 1 to 10 I would rate myself 8. Very near 9.

My biggest mistake in life was wasting my life during my wild days.

I know that God is everything.

My biggest fear is getting terminally ill. I’ve seen my friends die a slow death.

I want to die with my boots on.

No, I’m not afraid of growing old. Doesn’t everybody grow old? That’s why I play roles that fit my age — from boy-next-door to a father. I go with the flow of life.

My mom, Lilia Dizon, is sweet and loving.

I love my (late) father, Gil de Leon, so much. I miss him.

I miss my Ate Pinky (de Leon). She’s in the States now. She’s the “godfather” in the family, the boss. I used to be her driver. I was driving her to the set of her movie when Lino (Brocka) discovered me and cast me in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang. That was in 1974. I was 17 then.

Stardom is fleeting. It doesn’t last forever. You shouldn’t let it go to your head. You must have your feet firmly planted on the ground.

Money is important because it can make you live comfortably. But it’s not the most important thing in life. Honor is.

Love is fickle.

Hate is self-destructive. You shouldn’t plant it in your heart. I don’t hate anybody.

I am a forgiving person. You cannot forgive if you have hate in your heart.

My most memorable movie is Sa’yo Lamang. I always consider my latest movie my most memorable.

Laurice Guillen, whom I call Inday, is a perfectionist. She pays attention even to the smallest detail. She’s an actor’s director, full of heart.

Lino Brocka, my mentor, was what I call an “open-heart-surgery” director because he has a way of tearing your heart to pieces with his drama skill. Talagang tagos sa puso. I’ve done a few movies with him (Gumapang Ka sa Lusak, Biktima, Abel at Cain, etc.).

Ishmael Bernal was cerebral. He directed me in Relasyon, Broken Marriage and Ikaw ay Akin (the first movie together of Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos).

Celso Ad. Castillo is very visual. I did two movies with him, Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw and Julian Makabayan.

It’s time for Nora Aunor to make a comeback. Puedeng-puede pa siya.

I had a big crush on Vilma Santos with whom I’ve done more than two dozen movies. But I never got around to courting her but I was almost there.

Heaven is where God is. It’s eternal happiness.

Hell is the opposite of heaven. I don’t want to go there.

I wanted to be in the navy before I joined showbiz. Now I’m with the navy, with NAVRESCOM (Navy Reserve Command).

When I want to get away from it all, I go to Lobo (Batangas) where I have a resthouse or to Mabini (also in Batangas) where I scuba-dive there. 

My dad was the most memorable person in my life.

My role model was FPJ, my idol.

I don’t like back-stabbers.

Kapag nawala na ang tiwala ko sa isang tao, mahirap na maibalik…kung maibabalik pa.

All I want in life is to be happy.

Every night, I pray for the safety and good health of my family. I pray for people who are sick. I pray for the Oasis of Love of which Sandy and I are members.

I’m choosy with food. I don’t eat pork. If ever I eat beef, I avoid the fatty part. I avoid crustaceans.

I’m happy with my looks and my God-given talent but beside people who are better-looking and younger and more talented, I have to exert effort to come up to par.

I believe in the healing effect of laughter that’s why I watch a lot of funny stuff on TV. First thing I do when I wake up is thank God, stretch and smile.

My most precious possession in life is my family.

One song that has a calming effect on me is It’s a Wonderful Life.

Away from work, I enjoy scuba-diving.

To pamper myself, I go to The Belo Medical Clinic. I get a haircut, manicure and pedicure and a full-body massage.

Happiness is being contented with what you have.

I earned my first million several years ago. I invest my money wisely. I have bought, among other property, a house and a farm planted to more than 700 mango trees.

Yes, I would marry Sandy again. We’ve been married for almost 30 years.

One good thing about Sandy is her being a real ilaw ng tahanan. I’m amazed by her energy. Masipag talaga. She doesn’t have to but she still works.

If I were a tree, I would be a Mango Tree.

If I were an animal, I would be a lion.

If I were a car, I would be a huge SUV.

Am I vain? Yes, somehow. I’m an actor so I have to take care of my looks.

I don’t envy people. Envy is one of the seven deadly sins, right?

The bad thing about being Christopher de Leon is his being gullible.

The good thing about being Christopher de Leon is his being cool.

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