Neil Coleta stars in John Lapus’ directorial debut, ‘#PangMMK’

Kapamilya actor Neil Coleta can’t hide his excitement after actor-comedian John Lapus offered him the lead role in “#PangMMK,” the debut project of the latter as writer and director and an official entry to Cinema One Originals, which runs from October 12 to 21.

Neil was the third choice for the role of Janus as he was originally chosen to play the lead character’s best friend.

“There was a last minute change in the casting and John told me I got the lead because he trusts I can portray it,” Neil said. He is playing a gay role in the movie which is a dark comedy. He has portrayed gay roles in the past like a transgender in a “Maalala Mo Kaya” episode. In “#PangMMK,” he plays a serious gay.

What makes this role different this time was, he was asked to do a kissing scene with a man. “It’s the first time I am doing a hardcore kissing scene and that is something the audience should watch out,” he said.

Neil admitted being challenged portraying Janus because John as the writer-director has a different interpretation of the role, while he also has a different attack as an actor.

“I really had to focus on my role,” said Neil who didn’t have second thoughts in taking on the part. “This is work for me and I don’t mind what the people will say about my performance. I know I have to give my best.”

When he first read the script and found out there was an intimate scene with a man, Neil just dismissed it with a laugh. “Hindi pa naman ako ang bida that time. But when John told me ako na ang bida and I need to do the scene, I got nervous,” he said. “It was a good thing John asked me kanino ako magiging comfortable doing the love scene and I recommended my friend Anjo Damiles for the role of my best friend. Hindi na kami nailang kasi close naman kami sa isa’t-isa. We finished the intimate scene in one take.”

He had worked with John in a project before as actors. As a director, John is focused with the scenes and guides him well in his acting. “So I really had to give my best in my acting,” the actor said.

If ever “#Pang MMK” becomes a hit, Neil said he doesn’t want another gay film as a follow-up project, fearing he might get typecast.

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How true that a lot of shouting happened in the meeting of the Screening Committee of the Metro Manila Film Festival last Tuesday during the selection of the final four entries based on the finished scripts?

One of the members of the Screening Committee reportedly engaged some of the elder members of Screening Committee who were rooting for Brillante Mendoza’s entry “Alpha, The Right to Kill” while said member wanted “Utmol,” a horror film directed by Joven Tan to be chosen instead.

According to the hot-headed Screening Committee member, since “Alpha, The Right to Kill” talks about the war on drugs, it should not be chosen as official entry since it will displease President Duterte. This discussion escalated to a heated debate that resulted to shouting.

There was tension and when the smoke was cleared, “Utmol” was chosen as the eighth official entry over the award-winning Brillante Mendoza film which won the Special Jury Prize at the Sebastian Film Festival.

Also chosen as filmfest entries based on finished films were “Rainbow’s Sunset” from Heaven’s Best Production starring Eddie Garcia, Ms. Gloria Romero, Tony Mabesa, Tirso Cruz III, Aiko Melendez and Sunshine Dizon from Heaven’s Best Productions; “Mary, Marry Me” from Ten 17 Productions starring Toni and Alex Gonzaga and Sam Milby; and “One Great Love” from Regal Entertainment starring Kim Chiu and Dennis Trillo.

The initial reaction from the media is that the final four entries seemed lightweight and they are waiting for an explanation from the esteemed members of the Screening Committee how they arrived at such decision.

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Ruru Madrid, Rhian Ramos, Mike Nacua, Kelvin Miranda and Ana de Leon are the guest stars in “Bubble Gang” tonight.

Among the featured segments are Reklamo sa Baranggay gags, Hapitot, Basa Basa Pik, Tekkie Quotes, Crazy Poor Asian, Self Defense, Workshop Kidnap, Pa-Viral and Compatible, among others.