Aga & Joyce: Friends without benefits

No strings attached. Nothing expected from each other (except loyalty and, ehem, strict compliance with a “vow of confidentiality”). Together forever, fair weather or foul.

That clearly defines the friendship between Aga Muhlach and director Bb. Joyce Bernal whose latest collaboration (with Regine Velasquez as Aga’s leading lady) is Of All The Things, a joint venture between Viva Films and GMA Films still showing nationwide.

It’s a friendship that started on the set and has weathered the tests of time.

“I directed Aga in my second movie in 1999, Dahil May Isang Ikaw, also with Regine,” recalled Bb. Joyce, a single mother whose tween daughter Liam (10 years old) was named after Liam Neeson, Joyce’s favorite actor. “Actually, all the movies I’ve done with Aga are with Regine. After Dahil and before Of All The Things, there was Pangako Ikaw Lang. There was a three-year lull between the first and the second, and 10 years between the second and the third. Of All The Things took three years to finish because of circumstances beyond our control, including the schedules of Aga and Regine na hindi magtugma.”

Before 1999, the two were virtual strangers.

“I have very, very few friends na artista,” said Joyce who mentioned Judy Ann Santos, Piolo Pascual and Dingdong Dantes among them. Asked why, she said, “Probinsyana ako, eh…from San Carlos City, Pangasinan. ‘Yung mga artista became my friends only after I worked with them. ‘Yung true friends ko are my UP friends.”

Her friendship with Aga is multi-faceted, extending beyond the set.

“He’s the godfather of my daughter and I’m the godmother of one of his and his wife Charlene Gonzalez’s twins.”

They are not the kind of friends who shield each other from reality, no matter how harsh it may be, even if it hurts. What are friends for anyway if, even if there’s dirt on your friend’s face you praise him for being flawless? Joyce said that she and Aga toe the “honesty is the best policy” line.

“We don’t sugar-coat anything,” explained Joyce. “If we have anything to tell each other, especially bad news, we don’t hold back. We break it to each other at once, oftentimes not so gently, hindi ‘yung paliguy-ligoy ka pa at sa dulo mo na ibibigay.”

Correction, please! Said Aga, “Actually, Joyce is different from me. I’m the one who breaks it agad-agad. In her case, it takes weeks before something, especially if negative, sinks in. It helps that I give it to her sa simula pa lang. The sooner you face a problem, the easier and the faster it is to solve.”

Their 13-year friendship has never been tarnished by squabbles. They don’t impose on each other or force each other into situations either of them is not comfortable in.

“I love to drink and Aga doesn’t, not much anyway,” admitted Joyce. “So I don’t force him to drink, too. He loves to eat! We hang out with friends. We go out. With Regine, if you want to hang out with her, punta ka sa bahay niya. She’s such a homebody.”

Aga conceded.

“When I have no work,” he said, “Charlene and I would order food by delivery at kain lang ako nang kain the whole day.”

Expect him to gain more weight when he starts to campaign in CamSur where he’s running for congressman in the fourth district. In every house they knock on, candidates are not supposed to refuse (even politely) food offered, no matter how humble, otherwise that would displease a prospective voter.

Aside from seeing Aga grow in pounds, Joyce has also closely monitored his growth as an actor.

“His instinct as an actor is there kahit naiirita siya. He’s an all-around actor but he never meddles in my work. Marunong siyang sumunod. Even at times when, for example, ayaw niya ‘yung eksena, he still gives his best. I don’t have to tell him in detail what to do. As I said, he has sharp instinct as an actor. But,” added Joyce in jest, “as a star, he has the prerogative to pack up a shoot if he’s not in the mood to work.”

Aga summed up why he and Joyce click.

“As a director, Joyce is easy to work with. As a friend, she’s there for you anytime, all the time. We respect each other’s space. We don’t suffocate each other.”

Readers’ reactions

Here are two of the varied reactions to Funfare’s recent item about Courtney Blooding whose comments against Jessica Sanchez took on a “biased” color because she happens to be the foreigner-manager of Charice:

From “A certain P.A.”:

Like any Filipino, I am proud of what achievements Charice has obtained as a Pinoy who made it in the American music charts. However, she seems to have forgotten her roots. I cringe every time the poor girl tries to sound American (with a twang) while groping for words to articulate her comments in X-Factor. Sure, the girl has shown to the world that she has gained confidence because of her  outstanding feat, but I would have been prouder as a “kababayan,” if she maintained her “Pinoy-ness” and sounded more natural. Maiintindihan pa natin ang sinasabi niya. I can only blame people like Blooding who try to influence her to the point of making her an “alien” in her own country.  Well, maybe Charice could learn a lesson or two from her X-Factor co-juror, Pilita Corrales, who, in spite of all the international accolades earned in many parts of the world, remains a true-blue Pinay.

 From Alfredo Gonzales:

Why let a talent manager whose sole claim to fame is managing a Filipina sporting a fake American twang and has become a fashion victim? Her statements smack of insecurity and envy! Ms. Blooding, you have no right to dictate who we welcome to our country. The reason why Filipinos are attracted to Jessica is because she projects an image of simplicity and most of all sincerity unlike some who after one hit single has let success gone to her head. I, too, admired Charice’s talent and was elated when she gained international recognition. However, the sweet smell of success intoxicates and brings headiness. Your talent’s story is a classic example of what happens when success is not handled properly. We are turned off by her demeanor. Unless she changes she’ll peter out just as fast as she rose. As the adage goes, don’t look down on people on your way to the top for they are the same ones you’ll meet on your way down. We don’t need big heads! Give me an Angeline or a Sarah anytime!  

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)