JM de Guzman, Kean Cipriano lead vertically challenged actors

JM DE GUZMAN and Kean Cipriano play the producer and the director who got Eugene Domingo to play the lead role in the film on poverty that they’re doing in “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank”, winner of the best picture (New Breed Category) and Audience Awards in the Cinemalaya filmfest. The movie is such a hit at the CCP and Greenbelt with all screenings sold out so they had additional ones. Star Cinema will now distribute it theatrically nationwide to open in theatres on Wednesday, August 3. It’ll be the first Cinemalaya entry this year to get a theatrical release right after the filmfest.

“I feel so blessed na ito ang first movie ko,” says Kean, a TV5 regular. “Biruin mo, award winner na, tapos big hit pa. Not all newcomers are given this kind of break.”

“Hirap na hirap ako shooting this kasi lagari ako sa taping ng ‘Mula sa Puso’,” says JM, who’s a Kapamilya. “But lahat ng hirap at pagod, nawala when I saw the film. Mapagmamalaki mo talaga.”

They’re both in awe of their lead actress, Eugene Domingo. “Ibang klase siya,” says JM. “Lahat ng klase ng acting, ibinuhos na niya rito. She deserves her best actress win. Ilang beses ko siya hinalikan at niyakap to show how much I appreciate her talent.”

“While watching the movie with the audience, dun mo makikita kung gaano siya talaga kagaling,” says Kean. “Biling-bili nila lahat ng ginagawa niya. Ang saya-saya. I feel so proud na nakatrabaho ko siya sa first movie ko.”

JM and Kean are both vertically challenged. It’d served them well if they were a few inches taller. But it seems viewers nowadays are ready to accept not so tall leading men. The best is example is Coco Martin who’s only about 5’5” or 5’6” but is now one of ABS-CBN’s hottest properties.