MARTIN ESCUDERO plays the most demanding role in his career in Regal’s rib tickling comedy about gay friends, “That Thing Called Tanga Na”. “I’ve played a gay character before in “Zombadings” but nakabihis lalaki pa rin ako roon,” he says. “Dito, muherista ako all throughout. Talagang nakasuot ako ng damit babae from start to finish. Sa amin ng co-stars kong sina Eric Quizon, Billy Crawford and Kean Cipriano who all play gays, ako ang pinakamatagal i-prepare kasi nilalagyan muna ako ng make-up na pang-girl, tapos susuotan ako ng wig na long hair, and then bago ko magsuot ng bestida, lalagyan muna ako ng boobs na 36-D ang size. So I come to the set early kasi matagal gawin lahat ng yan before I face the cameras.”
Didn’t he have second thoughts about accepting such a flamboyant role? “No. Kasi, before this, dream ko nga to portray such a female role, parang ‘Danish Girl’. Tapos heto, nabigyan agad ng katuparan yung dream ko so, it’s a blessing, di ba? Bago ako nag-shoot, nag-look test pa muna ako to make sure kung anong make up, hairstyle at mga damit ang talagang babagay sa akin. Kapareha ko rito ang bagong Regal baby, si Luke Conde. Sa story, asawa niya si Nikki Valdez, pero mas pinili niya ako later and nag-ampon kami ng sarili naming baby para we’ll be a whole family.”
Isn’t he worried he might be typecast in such a gay role? “No. Alam naman ng taong I’m just playing a role. Mas nag-worry ako noong napabalitang may sex video scandal daw ako, which is not true kaya ini-report ko ito sa NBI as a cyber crime. Pinasuri namin yung sinasabing video and it’s proven na hindi talaga ko yun. Going back to ‘That Thing Called Tanga Na’, I really enjoyed doing it kasi puro okay lahat ng co-stars ko. Ang saya-saya namin lagi sa shooting at makikita yun ng viewers when they watch the movie na masaya talaga at puno ng tawanan from start to end.”
What does his non-showbiz beauty queen girlfriend named Aiza say about his appearance as a transgender? “Naaaliw siya. Mas maganda pa raw ako sa kanya. Ha ha ha!”
