MANILA, Philippines — “It was challenging because there were restrictions, may mga bawal at merong pwede (na gawin).” That was Super Tekla sharing his thoughts on making the comedy film, Kiko En Lala, in a press conference. The GMA 7 talent has been trained in the genre through his stints in comedy bar and TV shows.
“At first, I found it difficult for I’m used to no-holds-barred kind of entertainment, walang limit,” added he, who is playing the conjoined twins named Kiko and Lala. “Expect the unexpected and anything goes. You can almost say anything under the sun. In the movie, gigil na gigil akong bitawan, hindi (ito) akma.” Super Tekla had to tame his comedy, so to speak, and stick to the script for his debut movie caters to people of all ages. Kiko En Lala, produced by Backyard Productions and directed by Adolf Alix Jr., promises wholesome, family-friendly comedy. “This is for the family,” said Super Tekla. “Ang image ko dito ay sobrang kiti-kiti lang, nakakatawa, hindi ganun ka-hard ang mga atake, wholesome.”
Super Tekla was quick to add that his comedy experience came in handy in the movie to deliver punchlines and antics that will tickle one’s funny bone and give one relief from the cares of the world. Yes, Kiko En Lala is now showing in theaters nationwide.
When select media members met up with Super Tekla, he also spoke of jitters that movie debuting stars like him feel. He is, in a way, testing the big-screen waters.
“I’m very nervous, excited and (I have) mixed feelings,” he said. “This is my launching movie. I think (this feeling) is common among newbies.” His reaction was understandable since the movie outcome somehow determines his future projects, as Super Tekla implied, “it’s my ticket,” if one may add, to bigger things.
Of course, his mother network did its part to make sure that the word gets around, and Super Tekla also promoted Kiko En Lala by doing palengke tour and taking “man-on-the-street” video interviews. He uploaded them on his Facebook page and asked friends to like or share his videos on the movie. Super Tekla also considered the possibility of promoting his movie in Wowowin a dream come true. He would like to talk to his Kuya Wil (host Willie Revillame) if given the chance. The comedian left the show two years ago.
“Alam naman nating lahat na malaking bahagi ng aking karera ay dahil sa Wowowin (It’s a fact that I owe a lot to Wowowin), kung ano man ang narating ko ngayon. Kung wala si Kuya Wil na nag-pukpok sa (akin) para maging Tekla, wala ako ngayon.”
With his foray into the movie world, Super Tekla knows that some will compare him to Vice Ganda.
“Wala naman ako sa kalingkingan ni Vice. Alam naman natin na malayo na ang narating (niya) (We all know that he has gone a long way),” he said. “Yung kaba, hindi ko (ito) iniinda kasi alam ko naman ang kapasidad ko. Alam ko kung saan ako lulugar. At alam ko kung saan ako nararapat.”
Asked about his own brand of comedy, Super Tekla replied, “Mine is plain comedy. Ang layo (my comedy is different from that of Vice’s.). Iba ang style ng comedy niya, iba ang style ng comedy ko.”
As for his gender identity, Super Tekla, who sports flamboyant ensembles, said: “I’m straight, I tried (na) pag-aralan ang sarili ko (to know who I am), dun talaga ako belong.” Even if he has been living his onscreen persona for a decade and earning a living out of it, Super Tekla is never attracted to embrace it in real life — and make the shift. “(Yun) talaga ang gusto ko (To be straight is my choice), nanliligaw ako (I court women).” On the Gretchen Diez incident and SOGIE Equality Bill, Super Tekla said, “Respeto lang (Just respect).”
Off-camera, Super Tekla is a hard-working, loving father to his 12-year-old daughter. “(She) is my No. 1 priority,” he shared. “Hindi mo na pwedeng panga-pangakuan… naka-focus na ako kanya.” She knows what her dad does for a living.
The comedian-TV host also recalled that his daughter, at 3 or 4, was confused of his profession that required him to wear make-up and female clothes. So he had no choice but to explain his bread and butter little by little to her. His honesty paid off because Super Tekla has a child who is “napaka-open minded, napaka-supportive. Mahusay yung pagpapalaki sa kanya ng ex (ko) (She has been raised well by her mother).” Whatever others may say on his line of work, Super Tekla takes pride in it. Being a comedian is a decent work and a source of happiness to people.
Where does he intend to bring his comedy years from now? The answer is, Super Tekla will continue what he has started, but wants to reinvent himself and takes on another character.
(Kiko En Lala also stars Derrick Monasterio, Kim Domingo, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Vangie Labalan, Kiray Celis, Tetay and Jo Berry.)