For Cris Villanueva, being a character actor is a blessing

MANILA, Philippines — Cris Villanueva is among the local tinseltown’s veterans, who remain visible and relevant amidst the ever-changing landscape of entertainment and the influx of new talents.

Given his years of experience on the small and big screens, Cris knows what it’s like to be a matinee idol, a loveteam mate, a leading man and a character actor.

The thespian in him doesn’t mind playing support to today’s promising and biggest names.

“Parang na-foresee ko naman yun nung nagsimula akong mag-artista (I seem to have foreseen it when I was starting in the business). Eventually, I would also be supporting other young actors,” said Cris of taking on a supporting actor role in a press conference for the GMA Afternoon Prime series, “Binibining Marikit,” with Herlene Budol in the title role with her leading men Tony Labrusca and Thai-Irish talent Kevin Dasom.

“Of course, ang pagiging character actor is a blessing kasi hindi naman lahat ng artista nag-e-end up doing character roles (being a character actor is a blessing since not all actors have ended up doing character roles),” added he.

Character roles may be described by one as interesting, meaty and unique, essayed by supporting dramatis personae that help define the characterization and motivation of the story’s protagonist and antagonist.

“Actually, ang hirap maging bida (it’s tough to be a lead actor) and to sustain it, but to fall into another level of being an actor is a blessing,” shared Cris.

“Feeling ko pinaghandaan ko iyon kasi gusto ko talaga yung ginagawa ko. Mahal ko yung pag-arte (I feel I’ve prepared myself to become a character and supporting actor because I love what I’m doing and I love acting),” continued he. “So, kailangan humanap ako ng way para makarating dun sa may longevity (I have to find a way to reach that work or level that has longevity).”

It’s safe to say that most actors aspire to find their niche in acting, which is to be versatile, genre- and medium-wise.

In “Binibining Marikit,” which airs Mondays to Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., Cris plays Gani, the loving and protective father of Herlene’s cheerful guide Marikit or Ikit. Gani and his wife have separated ways and the guardianship and parenting of Ikit is left to him.

“Nung nalaman ko na magiging part ako ng ‘Binibining Marikit,’ na-excite ako (when I learned about my participation in the show, I got excited),” recalled Cris in the content, “Kapuso shorts,” available on the GMA Network YouTube channel, “kasi ngayon ko lang narinig yung Dumagat Remontado (because it was only then that I heard of Dumagat Remontado, an indigenous people) and then, it’s gonna be really far from the place na kung saan nakatira yung mga Dumagat.”

“So that one is, I think (what) got me,” said he. “I got excited with that and then, of course, yung mga makakasama ko (the cast and the other creatives that I will be working with). It’s my first time working with Herlene Budol (in a show), who’s playing my daughter in it. Nakakatuwa naman kasi kuhang, kuha niya talaga yung pagiging Marikit (it’s fun because she captures the character).”

The previous “Binibining Marikit” episodes show the brewing romance of Ikit with an AFAM, a foreigner, whom she got to know through social media and instances when Gani warned her about the guy’s intention and identity to avoid being scammed. With Ikit’s persistence, the latter happened which led her to go to Japan. Prior to that, she met her knight in shining armor in the character named Drew of Tony.

Gani, on the other hand, has also found a new love, which initially didn’t sit well with Ikit, who deals with the new family dynamics at home.

The most recent episodes reveal that Ikit has already met the “guy,” whom she thought deceived her and the mother she longs for.

“I’m very thankful to GMA and ‘Binibining Marikit’ because of the role, na maganda yung role ko dito, mabait akong ama ni Ikit (my role is nice. Gani is a kind father to Ikit),” said Cris, who also had a cameo role as Caloy, father of Miguel Tanfelix’s character Kidlat in “Mga Batang Riles.”

Asked about the similarities his character and he share during the press con, the actor had this to say: “’Pag binibigay sa akin yung role ko, tina-try kong ihiwalay yung personal experiences ko (when my roles are given to me, I try to separate my personal experiences from his) and I imagine that the role is really me. So, hindi ko alam kung ano yung magiging similarities. Siguro yung may anak, and yung mga binabahagi na mga pangaral sa anak (with Gani, we both have children and the life lessons and teaching we share with our kids). I guess, iyon ang mga malapit.”

Watch “Binibining Marikit” and follow the father-and-daughter story of Gani and Marikit.