Legend in his own time
Junix. It’s a name you don’t hear very often. But one mention of it within theater circles and you’ll immediately hear words like “legend” thrown around. In fact, when actor Jamie Inocian waltzes into the Onstage Greenbelt Theater during call time, three hours before a Sunday matinee of Repertory Philippines’ ongoing production of Jekyll and Hyde, he is introduced to me by his fellow actors as Junix’s son. “Yep, that’s what I’m referred to in theater,” Jamie admits fondly of his title by default. “But as an actor, I can only be really proud of my dad.”
Jamie’s father Junix Inocian, who plays John Utterson, Jekyll’s lawyer and best friend in this goth musical is, some may call, a stage legend. Think Bernadette Peters and Brian Stokes Mitchell on Broadway, or Meryl Streep or Robert de Niro in film. In 1969, Junix flew to the UK and was part of the original London cast of Miss Saigon — a show that put Filipino talent on the map.
He, part of Lea Salonga’s exalted group of colleagues, also essayed roles in Pacific Overtures and Cats on the West End, and countless of other roles on the local stage. Though he has stayed in London since, he returns to the Philippines on occasion and has done shows like Trumpet’s The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, and now Jekyll and Hyde.
As I was chatting with Jamie, almost instantly, in the same manner that Jekyll finds his moment of clarity during the show’s definitive anthem This is the Moment, Junix walks in, not as a Dionysian god but dressed down and with the humblest of demeanor. The actors carry on with their business, perhaps jaded after rehearsing with the man for several months. But even the lack of regality has left me completely stunned.
Conversations with colleagues in the theater have rendered him a legend in my eyes – a living legend, just like Lea Salonga. I approached him, like the starstruck fan that I was, and requested that we do our interview by the bleachers onstage – yes, the very set piece on which the Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo helmed tour de force unravels. He was gracious enough to oblige.
YOUNG STAR: Much has been written about you, Junix. What’s one thing people don’t know?
JUNIX: That I just turned 61. (Laughs) My family is here, my grandkids, which is the reason why I came to the Philippines so I can meet them. I’ve been in London since Miss Saigon.
What has kept you occupied since Saigon?
I just finished a TV series called Sinbad which will be coming out in July this year, and we’re hoping for a second season.
What prompted you to stay in London?
I don’t know. When I got to London, I remarried and then my wife wanted to stay. And then my contract in Miss Saigon kept getting extended, and then eventually I took over the role of The Engineer. So I told myself “Let’s see what happens!” I’m very lucky naman that I’ve always found work.
What kind of work did you get to dabble in, post-Saigon?
I’ve done theater, TV, radio. I also do voice-overs for video games. I did voice work for Brink, Just Cause 2, Shogun 2: Total War and then The Cursed Mountain. I’ve been very lucky. Apparently, there’s a market for old, bald and fat Filipinos in London. (Laughs)
What’s your fondest memory of Saigon?
It would have to be the rehearsal period. And then the opening. Meeting Princess Di, the Queen Mother, and when I was doing The Engineer, si Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith actually went backstage after the show and into my dressing room. It was incredible. It was surreal.
Let’s talk Lea Salonga.
It was amazing to watch her do Kim onstage. There’s just something about her when you’re watching from the audience side that you can’t seem to take your eyes off her. She made me cry every single time. I’m very proud of her.
What’s it like being back for Repertory’s 45th year and for Jekyll and Hyde?
Every time I come here, I see if I can do something with Rep. This time, I asked Menchu if there was anything for me. “Tamang tama,” she said. “We’re doing Jekyll and Hyde.” It’s been great!
Compare Rep and Philippine theater in general from how it was back then to how it is today.
When I joined Rep back in 1978, we would consider a half-filled house a full house. And I’ve seen it grow to having full audiences. And the quality of the productions has improved so much. It was great quality then but now it’s just amazing! And the new Rep people are so talented.
You’re directed by Menchu in this production. What’s that like?
I met her when she was 14 — when she was a young girl running around the Insular Life Auditorium. And now she’s a director. At first, it was weird. But after a few rehearsals, I just relaxed and let her steer the ship.
Actually, when Menchu sent me the script, I told her, “My god, this script has some problems with it.” But what I love about Menchu is that she dared to do something different. The whole thing has been a challenge but she came through. I’m so proud of her.
It’s good you’re back, Junix. But this is also a Rep that is without Bibot Amador (Rep’s co-founder and a cornerstone of Philippine theater). If you could say one thing to her, what would it be?
That I miss her so much. That I’m sorry I wasn’t here when she passed away. That I couldn’t come back. Rep is not Rep without Bibot’s presence. But thankfully Baby (Barredo) and Joy (Virata) are here. Menchu and the new blood. Bibot lives on through all of us. Her legacy is alive.
What’s next for you?
I go to Mindanao to visit my family. And then back to the UK where we’ll be doing a lot of publicity events for Sinbad.
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Catch Junix Inocian in Repertory Philippines Jekyll and Hyde. He will be sharing the stage with Michael Williams and The Dawn’s Jett Pangan who alternate as Jekyll, Cris Villonco as Emma, and Kalila Aguilos as Lucy among others. The musical runs ‘til April 22. For tickets, call REP at 571-6926 or 571-4941.
