Bea Binene, Wilbert Ross on ‘Pee Mak’ pressure, love team expectations
MANILA, Philippines — Onscreen partners Bea Binene and Wilbert Ross feel the pressure to make their big-screen team-up a hit at the local box office, especially since their movie is a remake of a 2013 Thai mega-hit.
The two, collectively known by fans as WilBea, are set to star in the Philippine adaptation of “Pee Mak,” the Thai movie that grossed more than US$33 million worldwide.
Produced by Viva Films, the horror-comedy is helmed by Victor Villanueva and will open on October 14 in cinemas nationwide.
“Of course, kasi kahit hindi naman adaptation, with any new project, there’s always pressure because wala ka naman talagang kasiguraduhan, eh. Hangga’t hindi mo napapanood, hangga’t hindi mo naririnig yung feedback ng supporters or the viewers, the pressure will always be there, especially doing this project na it’s based on the highest-grossing Thai film and other countries have done adaptations as well,” Bea said at a presscon.
Aside from the pressure, Bea also felt a sense of excitement and gratitude to Viva for entrusting them with a major project. “It’s an honor to be part of this project and to be working with these people. We just hope for the best, and we want to make our country proud.”
Wilbert echoed Bea’s sentiments, saying there is definitely pressure because of the original film’s success. However, despite the expectations that come with adapting such a well-loved movie, they are choosing to enjoy the process and have promised fans that they will give their best.
“Ilalabas talaga yung flavor namin as actors and mismo yung pagiging Pinoy na lumabas talaga in our ‘Pee Mak’ adaptation. When fellow Filipinos watch the film, they would be able to relate, like, ‘Oi, dito sa Pilipinas ‘yun, ah.’ It’s that familiar feeling. So, there’s definitely pressure, but we will give our best.”
Speaking of expectations, they were also asked whether they feel pressured by fans’ clamor for them to become a couple in real life.
“From the very beginning, even before our first project together, ‘GSOT (Golden Scenery of Tomorrow),’ was launched, we’ve always been clear that we’re the kind of love team that doesn’t let the pressure of having to make the partnership work affect us,” explained Bea.
“Because, you know, we’re not young anymore parang wala na po kami sa phase na parang lang mag-work yung love team. Because we both know na hindi yun lang formula or na hindi po yung ang kailangan para mag-work ang isang love team.”
She continued, “For me, personally, what we have, I think, is something that we don’t want to put any pressure on. It’s something that we don’t want to na alam mo yun na hindi naman kailangan palakihin or something.”
Bea added that she doesn’t want it to be a “topic of publicity.” “We know that we work well together. And it’s nice working with him because he’s very professional, and he’s very involved.”
Wilbert agreed, simply responding, “Copy-paste.”
In “Pee Mak,” Wilbert plays Mak, a Filipino-American soldier, who has survived the war and eagerly returns home to his wife, Pee-Nang (Bea), and their newborn son. He is accompanied by his four comrades, Teryo, Poknat, Ayong and Bunak, who are all pleased to meet Mak’s little family.
According to the media release, Pee-Nang is likewise delighted to have her husband back and to welcome his friends. Her beauty is not lost on Poknat (played by TJ Valderrama), the hopeless romantic in the group. But Bunak (Gian Bernardino), who believes in supernatural beings, senses that something is off about her.
Rumors are actually circulating across town that Pee-Nang is already dead. True enough, Mak’s friends experience hauntings by Pee-Nang. They reveal their fears with Mak when they find a corpse wearing Pee-Nang’s ring.
Angered by this, Mak drives them away. Teryo (played by Vandolph), who acts as the leader despite being a bit slow, convinces Ayong (Jairus Aquino), the hustler of the group, and the other two to stay and save Mak from Pee-Nang.
“Pee Mak” is packed with chaos as the characters try to outsmart each other to achieve their opposing goals. Mak and Pee-Nang fight to remain together, while his friends devise desperate plans to drive them apart.
But how can anyone banish a wife’s wandering spirit when her love for her husband is very much alive?
“Pee Mak” marks the first film collaboration between Wilbert and Bea, as well as the film debut of Cup of Joe’s Gian under Viva Films.
Direk Victor assured fans and viewers that they incorporated Filipino flavor into the adaptation, particularly in terms of local traditions and customs, after conducting extensive research.
“In terms of folklore, may in-inject kami, but it’s still an adaptation. There are expectations na may i-retain and sundan from the original. So, we have to be very clear in trying to incorporate that to make it local. There’s Filipino folklore flavor, so parang ang dami naming in-incorporate na parang hybrid,” he said.
“Also, there’s an element of horror. We’ve been researching and writing to make it as close to Filipino as possible. But may na-retain pa rin from the original na very iconic.”
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