Zanjoe happily gay in Bromance

MANILA, Philippines - Zanjoe Marudo’s thespic talent is put to an acid test in My Brother’s Romance which casts him in a dual role as brothers, one macho and the other gay.

“Masaya,” is how Zanjoe describes the challenge. “Playing gay is not new to me. I once did it in a TV show.”

Opening nationwide on May 15, My Brother’s Romance is the first crack at comedy by Skylight Films, its follow-up to the horror-suspense thrillers Corazon: Ang Unang Aswang and Amorosa. Skylight is on a joint venture with Star Cinema.

The movie is the latest project of Wenn Deramas who is known as a box-office director for his movies that never fail to keep the box-office ringing like crazy.

“I make movies to entertain people, to make people happy,” said Wenn whose 2012 Metro Filmfest direction, Sisterakas (starring Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda) was a top-grosser. “If I or my actors win awards in the process, bonus na ‘yon.”

Like his past comedy films, My Brother’s Romance is bound to send movie audiences in stitches.

Joining Zanjoe in the cast are Cristine Reyes, Arlene Muhlach, Joy Viado, Manuel Chua, Boom Labrusca, Joey Paras, Lassy, Nikki Valdez, Maricar de Mesa, Abbie Bautista, Carlo Romero and Jeff Luna.

Written by Ays de Guzman and Danno Kristoper Mariquit, My Brother’s Romance is the story of twins. All his life, Brando (Zanjoe) has hated his identical twin Brandy (also Zanjoe). He just cannot accept his twin brother whom he considers his biggest misfortune in life. Brando decides to detach from Brandy and live separately as a self-employed talyer guy, away from the wealthy Brandy who is an interior designer.

One day, Brando desperately finds himself in need of a big amount to settle a personal debt. He finds a solution when he meets Brandy again. But Brandy, unfortunately, meets an accident on the same day, which renders him comatose. Brando learns that Brandy has just closed a multi-million design deal, so Brando can’t just let the deal go to waste and decides to pretend to be Brandy.

Thus starts Brando the macho’s life as Brandy the gay. Soon, Brando learns to enjoy the gay life that he used to hate the most and realizes that it’s rewarding. Reason: It brings him close to Erika (Cristine), his ex-fling who is Brandy’s close friend. As Brando starts to appreciate Brandy’s gay lifestyle, he feels that he has to do something to save Brandy, only to realize that it’s a bit late.

Asked who his peg was in playing the gay Brandy, Zanjoe said, “I have several gay friends. Sila ang mga peg ko.”