Doing a bed scene

THEN: May 22, 1991 — 19 years ago

A good script can save a bed scene from turning prurient. Those were the elements of a bed scene we watched one night in the series of Nick Lizaso’s Ipaglaban Mo. The performers were Rico J. Puno and Malu Barry. The series spotlights legal cases that are of national interest. Taken from Jose Sison’s column on a law case a day, the professional intent of the series is now given life and blood dimension as performed by competent artists.

But going back to the bed scene, one of the most difficult scenes to do in a movie. It is difficult to imagine how one can feel romantic with all the crew members crowded in a room and the stars worrying about their angles. Then there are more people aside from the director watching on the monitor. The monitor is usually outside so other people can watch.

A good script is a must. This particular episode about a consenting husband was scripted by Baby Nebrida and the dialogue is very natural and very now. The writer researched on the daily lives of couples and was able to capture the tapestry of their verbal innuendos and emotions.

Ali Sotto plays the socialite wife of Rico J. who seeks pleasure in dancing while her husband plays around with another woman.

He knows what’s happening in his marriage but he condones it. “If other husbands go for sports, I go for bedtime calisthenics. The same way people like to dance. So let me be.”

Malu plays the seductress to a T. She plays a singer in this episode and what better way to seduce a lover than through a stage? She sings for a lover while making others feel that they have a chance too. A craft of seduction that only a singer and a stage artist can bring to advantage.

Ali is in fine form as the wife caught in the bind of having a wandering husband and having a young man, a dancing partner, infatuated with her. She still loves her husband but their day-to-day life has become boring. Their lovelife especially. Their bed scene in this episode is in stark contrast to that of her husband and the other woman. Her husband still loves her but he does not lust for her. That’s where their problem lies.

Ali has become the consummate performer. From the giddy socialite who loves to dance and the wife being pushed on the sides by her husband’s other woman, yes, she will fight for her rights.

What makes her performance shine is the fact that she is the woman who digs into her font of emotion for that particular scene. A tear trickling down her cheek and a very sad smile. An image that will latch into every woman’s heart across the nation. We should see more of Ali on films.

NOW: Nov. 6, 2010

Atty. Sison is still writing his legal columns. Director Nick is spending more time as a professor teaching the art of communication. I remember two friends of mine who went into politics in a serious way. And to improve their communications skills deeply needed in politics, I asked Nick to help. My two friends won. His latest project gave recognition to senior artists like Gloria Romero, Perla Bautista, Caridad Sanchez and Gloria Sevilla. It was a move much appreciated by the industry.

Malu has for a while retired from performances, especially when her son met an accident in Cebu and was in a coma for a long time. He died early this year. Malu is now back performing and in fact is mounting a show at the Music Museum at the end of the year.

Ali remained an American diplomat and was with the usual diplomatic whirl for the longest time. She lost her son Mico in a tragic accident a few years back. For more than five years, her husband Omar was assigned in Spain and that was where she was based. Omar is retiring and is just finishing his business in Spain. Ali just got back home where she and Omar will be based for good. Her friends are hoping that she will be back on radio and TV soon.

Rico J. is as busy as ever. He was in the election campaign of his friend Vice President Binay where he also ran for Vice Mayor of Makati City and lost. Without losing a beat he went to his roots, the entertainment industry where he was welcomed warmly. After a US tour with his group The Hitmakers, Rico J. and The Hitmakers (Rey Valera, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga) are hosting the popular noontime show Pilipinas Win na Win.