Why Laurice is one of a kind

MANILA, Philippines - As a director, Laurice Guillen is one of a kind. She’s the only filmmaker who has won awards for both directing (Salome, Dolzura Cortez Story, Tanging Yaman) and acting (Best Supporting Actress plums as the activist nun in Sister Stella L.). In the last Metro Filmfest, her I Love You, Goodbye hit it big as one of the top grossers and as Second Best Picture. Now, she has come up with a new family drama, Sa ’Yo Lamang, currently attracting crowds at the box-office. She knows it will be compared to the 2000 filmfest entry Tanging Yaman that won several trophies.

“They’re both inspirational family dramas but the important thing is my level of commitment in both films is the same,” she says. “It’s both about a family with problems and how they rise from these problems with the help of faith and God’s love and their continued support to one another even if they have basic differences. Tanging Yaman is about a mother who prays for her daughters engaged in sibling rivalry. Sa ’Yo Lamang is about a mother and four children abandoned by the father 10 years ago, then the prodigal father returns and some of the kids are not happy about it.”

How did she cast the film? “Lorna Tolentino as the mom and Bea Alonzo as the eldest child are given na from the start. But I myself chose Christopher de Leon as the dad kasi iilan na lang sila who can qualify in their category. All the other younger cast members are from the Star Cinema stable.”

She got to direct Christopher and Lorna when she was just starting her career in 1980: Christopher in Kasal? and Lorna in Init sa Magdamag. How is it directing them again 30 years later? “They’re both professionals so it makes my work easier. But the role is very hard and demanding for Lorna as she’s used to the restrained kind of acting, yung tahimik lang but you can feel it. Here, as the mother, I required her to be more florid and expressive of her emotions on face and her body. She delivers but I can see hirap siya doon. As for Boyet, we haven’t worked for so long and he has since acquired some physical characterizations that I told him to shed off. Nagawa naman niya.”

How about the young cast members, Bea, Coco Martin, Enchong Dee and Miles Ocampo as the four kids, and Diether Ocampo, Shaina Magdayao, Empress Schuck, Zanjoe Marudo, Lauren Young as the love interests? “Most of them, nakasama ko na in the acting workshops I conducted for ABS. Si Miles is my personal choice as I saw her growing up from Goin’ Bulilit at si Coco naman played my son in Nagsimula sa Puso. They all deliver superbly, especially Bea who really surprised me. I thought I’d spoon feed her but nakuha niya agad ang process, ang style na gusto ko, in experiencing a feeling while portraying it in front of the camera. She took off on her own and just asked me, what am I suppose to feel at this moment. She’s outstanding, especially in her very powerful confrontation scene and reconciliation scene with the father she hates with a passion. Hindi de kahon ang acting niya and I’m sure she’ll be one of our better actresses.”

Is it true Coco and Enchong try to outdo each other’s performance as the younger sons? “Magkaiba sila in the film. Enchong is the masunurin type, quiet, sensitive and he’s the favored one. Coco is the rebelde type, galit sa mundo, shows extreme, strong emotions so he’s more attention-getting, but they both played their assigned roles truthfully.”

What’s her next project? “I don’t know yet. Star Cinema has an intriguing story, 12th of August, about a father na nawawala tuwing darating ang Aug. 12. I hope ibigay nga sana sa’kin. I also have a couple of stories that I want to do as indie film. We all know the industry is down and most producers now just play safe with tried and tested formulas. If you want to be more creative and do something different, the way to go is indie. If ever, ako mismo ang magpo-produce.”

Would she also act in it? “Ay, no. I’ve never acted in my own film. Hindi ko yata magagawa. Kaya nga I admire those who can do it, like Clint Eastwood. What I like to try is direct my daughter Ina Feleo in a movie.”

How is she coping with being a widow? “I’m really too busy to dwell on grieving. And I think Johnny (Delgado) would want it that way. Kaysa I mope in our room, he’d prefer to see me being productive. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t miss him because I do. It’s good I have my two daughters with me, Ana and Ina. We now all sleep together in the same room where Johnny passed. We were all sleeping there na kasi during his last days. Tinuloy na lang namin.”

In what way can the ailing film industry be revived? “Definitely the government should remove not only the amusement taxes but even the taxes on the raw materials used in filmmaking to lower the cost of production and help attract viewers back. In other countries, filmmaking is subsidized by the government. Here, the industry can’t die because the mall theaters are in need of new local films to show. Ganun din naman ang programmers ng film festivals abroad. They clamor for new local films to exhibit, so the government should really help local films which is a vital part of our culture.”