AS part of this year’s Cinemalaya film festival entry “Malamaya,” Enzo Pineda said it was a dream come true to get the chance to work with his childhood crush Sunshine Cruz who plays his older lover in the film. The 28-year-old actor admitted that he couldn’t help but feel aroused during their sensual scenes but he made sure to always be professional on the set. “Oo naman definitely. Actually hindi ko na ma-recall yung nangyari basta ginawa na lang namin yung mga eksena. It was tough kasi it’s not just me having a sexual scene with somebody, it’s me having a sexual scene with Sunshine Cruz. So bilang lalake parang I have to gather a lot of confidence with myself para makasabay lang ako sa kanya,” he explained during the “Malamaya” presscon held last July 16 in Quezon city.
Enzo said he really made sure to prepare for his part both physically and mentally. “Parte na dun is working out and to be honest with everybody, bago ako pumunta sa set, kino-condition ko yung utak ko na I’m this type of guy na Sunshine would probably want in her life. Kasi kung hindi ko kayang ma-achieve yun, hindi rin siya makakakuha ng connection with me. Or kung I’m going to act my age, kasi ang totoong Enzo probably totoy, relaxed lang, simple lang. So I had to really step up my acting game para maging convincing ako sa kanya and magustuhan rin ako ni Ms. Shine sa mga eksena,” he said.
As a co-star, Enzo shared that Sunshine was a very helpful leading lady especially during their passionate scenes together. “Nakita niyo naman sa mga eksena namin parang medyo butt naked na ako. I was very respectful sa mga eksena. So pag eksena, eksena lang, and happy ako na si Ms. Shine she’s very generous, kind, mabait, at bilang isang baguhan na artista who’s going to do these type of scenes, thankful ako na siya yung naging scene partner ko kasi napaka-matulungin niya, napaka-giving at siya yung reason kung bakit nawala yung kaba ko sa eksena, para maging kumportable ako. Kasi ang hirap eh,” he said.
Part of the challenge for the “Malamaya” star was not being too self-conscious about being undressed in front of an entire crew during shooting. “Kung nakita niyo sa trailer halos wala na kaming suot ni Shine and there were directors, camera crew, everybody watching us. Ang hirap kumuha ng confidence para gumawa ng ganung eksena and at the same time we have to act like nobody’s there. Yung una parang masaya siya, masarap sa pakiramdam. Pero after a while, I get to realize na halos wala pala akong suot dito. So may mga times na biglang nahihiya na ako. Kasi napapansin ko na yung mga tao na bakit sila may damit, ako wala? It was tough. Mahirap,” he added.
After working on the film which will be shown during the Cinemalaya film festival starting next month, Enzo shared the biggest lesson the film hopes to impart to its audience. “Siguro it’s that love knows no age, gender, boundaries. Maiintindihan nila dito yung paghihrap ng isang artist. Maraming struggling artist ngayon who are trying to make ends meet. Pero dahil sa passion nila nagpupursigi sila and makikita niyo kung gaano kahirap ang buhay bilang artist sa pelikulang ito,” he said. (Push)
