Bb Gandanghari Cried After Knowing Brother Robin Won'T Have Him Appear On Abs-Cbn

AFTER PLAYING Michiko in “Enchanted Garden”, BB Gandanghari now appears as Molina in “Halik ng Tarantula”, the same role that won the Oscar best actor award for William Hurt in 1985. It’ll be staged at Teatrino Greenhills from March 7 to 9. Translated by the late Rene Villanueva from the English source, “Kiss of the Spider Woman”, it was first staged by PETA in 1989 with the late Mario O’Hara as Molina. It’s based on the Brazilian novel by Manuel Puig. A two-character play, the other character is Valentin, played in the film by Raul Julia and locally by Julio Diaz.

Molina is a homosexual imprisoned for having sex with a minor. Valentin is a political prisoner. Molina is ordered by the cops to befriend Valentin to get information from him about his rebel friends. But Molina falls in love with Valentin in the process. So who’ll play Valentin?

“We’ve chosen two actors but they both backed out at the last minute due to differences in their political beliefs,” says BB. “We’re auditioning new applicants but wala pa kaming napipili.”

The play will be directed by Soxie Topacio, who has appeared with BB in another play, “Sayaw ng mga Senioritas”. “Mahirap ihanap ng kapareha si BB kasi the guy should be bigger and taller than him. Kapag ang height ng applicants is 5’6” or 5’7”, di puede. We want someone who’s at least 5’’10” at willing to have a kissing scene with BB kasi it’s an integral part of the story, yun ang highlight ng relationship nila. Importanteng maging maganda ang chemistry nila on stage.”

Will BB invite his family to watch it? “Of course. Hindi ko kinakahiya ang play na ito. I love theatre and everytime I read the script, I get excited. I really wish they’d watch it para maintindihan nila. I already invited my mom but she said, huwag na lang. But later, tinanong naman niya, kailan ba yan?”

Who’d be his dream leading man? “Si Brad Pitt.” Among local actors? “Wag na lang at baka magalit sa’kin ang mga kapatid ko.”

How did he feel when Robin said he’d rather not let BB appear on ABS-CBN as “tama na ang isang Vice Ganda roon.”

“Talaga? Banned ako sa ABS? Naiyak naman ako doon,” he wiped the tears on the side of his eyes. “Ang sad naman. Hindi pa rin niya ako matanggap as I am. Hindi naman ako dapat i-compare kay Vice Ganda. Magkaiba ang ginagawa namin. Wala kaming issue ni Vice, ha?”

He now has a boyfriend in New York. Won’t the guy get jealous that he’d be romancing another man on stage? “He’s aware of what I do and he’s very encouraging. Wala sa kanya yun.”

Is he really considering changing his name legally and having a sex change operation? “Yes, but it’s a long process, ang magpalit ng pangalan, lalo na ng sex. You have to go through psychological tests. If ever, matagal pa yun.”