Phi Palmos drawn to strong but vulnerable characters

MANILA, Philippines — Stage, film, and TV actor Phi Palmos is on a roll.

After appearing in the local adaptation of the South Korean TV series, “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim,” with Paulo Avelino and Kim Chiu, he is part of the ensemble cast of the GMA Prime series, “Widows’ War,” with Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana.

Phi also lends his talent to the film “How To Slay A Nepo Baby,” produced by Viva Films and Happy Infinite Productions. The Barbie Imperial and Sue Ramirez starrer will be screened on July 31 in cinemas.

He can also be seen in the movies, “Doll House,” “The Cheating Game” and “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Extreme” on the streaming platform Netflix.

Since doing theater is his first love, Phi welcomes the opportunity to be part of the advocacy play “Ka.SEEN.halaga (HPV Out!),” directed by Rodel Mercado and produced by Frontline Production, Inc.

“Ka.SEEN.halaga” will have a repeat performance in September at the Power Mac Spotlight Blackbox Theater before its school and university tours.

“The creative process is really different, but it’s something I really love,” said Phi about acting on stage in a recent chat with The STAR. “Dadaanan mo yung lahat (you go through every aspect of it), as in, you have time to rehearse and explore, and things like that.”

Through this, he gets to know the character better and eventually makes it his own.

“I think yung masarap sa theater is because it’s linear. As in dinadaanan mo from the start yung character hanggang mag-grow siya. It’s really like a journey,” shared he. “Yun ang kagandahan sa theater na talagang nagiging second skin mo siya, nagiging muscle memory mo siya (what I appreciate about acting in theater is that your role becomes or feels like second skin and a muscle memory) because of the fact that na para siyang buhay na dinadaanan mo siya (the process can be likened to life. You pass through certain stages in a linear way).”

Phi with his two leading men, Caleb Alvarez (in yellow) and Nico Librojo.

To “Ka.SEEN.halaga” audiences, the actor will be known as Maya.

“I’m really interested in the character of Maya because I’m drawn to characters who are empowered. Yes, they are empowered, but they are also fragile,” said Phi. “They also have fears. Taong-tao siya (the character is very human). She’s a transwoman. She has fully accepted and embraced herself. There’s also a part in the show wherein she says that it took her a long time to process her identity, to have become Maya, and to be her true self.”

The character’s life will be shaken up by the danger posed by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Maya, along with other dramatis personae, the teenager Girltok and the young dad Roger, are on the same page, reflecting on the importance of getting “correct information” about their predicament.

“Together, they endorse a method to reduce the risk of getting HPV,” according to a piece of information given to this paper.

“I find the juxtaposition beautiful that she is so empowered with her identity and all, but she has her own struggles,” said he of Maya.

“There are monologues, but there are also scenes. She talks about her experiences and transitions (to sharing the stage and spotlight) with her friend or her boyfriend.”

What’s also clear is, Maya is dealing with internal conflict, which is palatable and challenging to Phi. The actor is challenged to theatricalize it, as he put it. “Kumbaga paano mo palalabasin yun, wala itong camera na makikita sa mata mo agad yung iniisip ng character (there’s no camera that will capture what the character is thinking through your eyes). You’re being challenged na paano mo maipapakita yung struggle, yung turmoil, the conflict of the character (on how you will show the character’s struggle, turmoil, and conflict on stage).”

“Ang sarap din paglaruan nung juxtaposition (it’s fun to play the juxtaposition of the ideas) of empowerment and also fear, of being informed, but at the same time being fragile,” added he, winner of the Male Featured Performance in a Play award for “Laro” at the 14th Gawad Buhay Awards.

With that, Phi will continue to flex his muscles in acting and embark on new and meaty characters across the platforms of TV, film, online and stage.