A double dose of Zanjoe

CEBU, Philippines - He’s the epitome of the “tall, dark and handsome” fantasy, but that’s not stopping Zanjoe Marudo from putting on full display the un-manly side of him.

The ABS-CBN actor is finally given a solo lead via Skylight Films and Star Cinema’s “Bromance: My Brother’s Romance,” where he essays dual roles of gender-clashing twins: that of the macho mechanic Brando and the gay interior designer Brandy.

“Na-try ko na ang gay role sa ‘24/7 In Love’ pero maiksi lang yun, habang ito full-length at dalawang role pa. So mas kailangan ng matinding preparation. Mahirap gampanan lalo na kung magkasama yung dalawang characters ko sa isang eksena. Pero hindi ko rin masyadong naramdaman yung hirap kasi nag-e-enjoy din ako,” said Zanjoe, whose six-foot frame greeted local entertainment writers during a backstage chat before his promo show at the Ayala Activity Centre last Saturday.

His character Brando detests his twin being gay, and thus separates from the brood. An accident would force Brando to begrudgingly pose as Brandy, and the riot ensues from here on.

Zanjoe said he simply observed the nuances of his gay colleagues to get the Brandy character down pat. “Pinapanood ko lang yung mga katrabaho ko at yung mga nakakasalamuha ko sa showbiz, so nakukuha ko yung mga kilos at pananalita nila pero wala talaga akong [specific] na ginagaya.”

Unlike Brando, Zanjoe said he will whole-heartedly accept it if he had a brother who would turn out to be gay. “Oo naman,” he quickly replied. “Kapatid ko yun eh. Wala naman yun sa gender. Lahat naman ng tao dapat tanggapin at suportahan, lalo na yung kadugo mo.”

Award-winning actress Eugene Domingo, whom Zanjoe worked with in the two installments of “Kimmy Dora,” had to contend with the same scenario of playing two totally opposite personas in what was also a big film break for her. Did she by any chance, give the hunk some pointers?

“Close kami ni Uge at magka-birthday kami, kaya nung nabalitaan niyang gagawa ako ng dual role, she congratulated me. Masaya siya para sa akin. Ito yung first movie ko na ako talaga yung lead, at ganun rin yung ‘Kimmy Dora’ para sa kanya,” he remarked.

Set to hit theaters this May 15, “Bromance” also stars Cristine Reyes, Arlene Muhlach, Joy Viado, Manuel Chua, Boom Labrusca, Joey Paras, Lassy, Nikki Valdez, Maricar De Mesa, Abbie Bautista, Carlo Romero and Jeff Luna.

The former Pinoy Big Brother celebrity housemate chooses not to fret over whether his film will be a box-office success or not, especially that it follows Star Cinema releases which did well in the tills.

He said, “Nag-e-enjoy ako. At least nakagawa na ako ng ganitong klaseng pelikula na matagal ko ng gustong gawin. Ayoko i-pressure ang sarili ko, basta naniniwala ako na magandang pelikula ang ginawa ni Direk Wenn Deramas. At yung creative [team] na gumawa ng storya, maganda, pang-masa at pang-pamilya talaga.”

Working with his leading lady Cristine was a breeze, he also said, since the sexy actress’ comedic timing matched well with his. The two had previously been paired in the drama series “Precious Hearts Romances Presents Martha Cecilia's Kristine” and were “Banana Split” castmates for a brief time.

“Ang galing, kasi sa TV nagsama kami sa drama, pero ngayon comedy na. Hindi na kami nag-adjust sa isa’t-isa. Magaling siyang magpatawa, kaya nakakatuwang maka-partner si Cristine.”

As for the reaction of his real-life leading lady Bea Alonzo of his hilarious role, he shared, “She’s very proud kasi mahirap gawin ang dalawang roles sa isang pelikula, at nagawa ko. Tuwang-tuwa siya at excited siyang panoorin.”

To the movie-going public, Zanjoe explained the film is worthy of one’s time not only for its rib-tickling moments, but also for the family lessons it imparts. “Sana mapanood lang talaga ng mga tao, lalo na ng buong pamilya. Masaya siyang pelikula, at kung magustuhan ng nakapanood, sana ikuwento nila sa mga kaibigan nila para manood din sila. Yung puso ng pelikula malalim dahil tungkol ito sa magkapatid at pagmamahal sa pamilya. Nagkasira sila simula bata, kaya paano sila magkakaayos? Ayoko maging confident masyado. Gusto ko maging humble pero sinisigaw ng damdamin namin lahat na maganda yung nagawa namin.”

Meanwhile, Zanjoe is set to play a father for the first time in the upcoming remake of the 1980s TV hit “Anna Liza.” While this is certainly a departure from his usual assignments, there is one other role he would love to delve into.

“Yung role ng OFW,” he revealed. His father, curiously, has made a living as a chef in the United States. “Gusto ko lang alamin yung buhay nila, kasi mukhang malungkot at mahirap yung mga pinagdadaanan nila. Gusto ko malaman gaano katapang yung mga damdamin nila para magtrabaho sa ibang bansa at iwan yung mga mahal nila sa buhay.”

Asked what he considers his biggest career achievement so far, the 30-year-old talked of lessons learned instead and how his slowly-but-surely journey taught him that important value of patience.

“Para sa akin, hindi ko isasagot kung ano yung pinakamalaking project na nagawa ko. Yung lahat siguro ng pinagdaanan ko simula nung nagsimula ako. Yung mga lessons na natutunan ko throughout the years. Nakakatanggap ako ng comedy, maliliit na roles, magaganda…so yung patience ko din. Importante ang pasensya eh, dapat hindi ka mainip kasi masisira ang loob mo. Nabibigay naman sa akin kung ano yung mga gusto ko. Feeling ko ito pa lang ang simula ng matagal ko ng hinihintay.”