RAYMOND ‘RS’ FRANCISCO gets to play his first title role in a movie in the SinagMaynila Filmfest entry, “Bhoy Intsik”, scripted by Ronald Carballo and directed by Joel Lamangan. RS is the son of Rudy Francisco, former actor with Sampaguita Pictures in the 50s and younger brother of the FAMAS award winning actor for the movie “Bondying”, Fred Montilla, so acting really runs in his blood. We inquired about his dad, who’s also a lawyer, and his Uncle Fred. RS says his dad is still alive. “Pero mahina na kasi he’s now 94 years old. My Uncle Fred passed about four years ago.”
He first made a name for himself in the acclaimed dramatic play “M. Butterfly”, where he played Song Liling, a transgender, and did full frontal nudity on stage. As a masscomm student in UP, he did many plays for Dulaang UP, including Shakespearean plays like “The Tempest” and “Taming of the Shrew”. He later appeared on TV doing supporting roles in “Princess and I”, “Magkaribal” and “Dolce Amore” for ABS-CBN and in movies like “Markova” with the late Dolphy, “Bwaya” with Angeli Bayani, “Sibak” and “Pikit-Mata”. He has also directed many TV commercials.
He himself is producing “Bhoy Intsik” under his own company Frontrow Entertainment. The name is derived from his own company, Frontrow International, which is into multi-level marketing that sells various products like food supplements, whitening capsules, grape seed and berry extract, etc. This is actually his main bread and butter which is doing very well and it allows him to pursue his other passions for his art and soul, like acting and producing films.
In the film “Bhoy Intsik”, he plays a small time felon who crosses paths with a young thug, Marlon (played by Ronwaldo Martin who made waves last year in “Pamilya Ordinaryo”). They were at odds at first but eventually became very good friends. Although Bhoy Intsik is gay, he doesn’t have love scenes with Ronwaldo. “I become more of a father figure for him,” he says. “Ang true love ko sa movie is Jeric Raval, but may asawa siya rito, si Liz Alindogan.”Who does he think is the better actor, Ronwaldo or his older brother, Coco Martin? “Pareho silang magaling at pareho silang magkapatid na type ko. Dream kong makasama silang dalawa sa isang pelikula.”
Does he have a lovelife? “None. I’m single. Puro taste test lang. Patikim-tikim.”
Would he be willing to do a non-gay role? “Yes, I’m now doing a new movie with KathNiel and I’m also doing a play na straight role ako.”
Most gays in showbiz are comedians. He, in turn, chose to do a dramatic role. “I want to uplift the image of gays para umangat naman ang tingin at respeto ng tao sa kanila at hindi para magpatawa lang. In our movie, Bhoy Intsik also becomes some sort of Robin Hood who steals from the rich to share it with the poor people living inside a cemetery.”
The movie also stars Jeric Raval, Mon Confiado, Elora Espano, Jim Pebanco, Tony Mabesa, Shry Valdes, Mike Lloren and Liz Alindogan. “Bhoy Intsik” will be shown from March 9 to 14 in SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Gateway, and Glorietta 4 Cinemas. Since it’s the only entry which is being promoted in the little known SinagMaynila Filmfest, we won’t be surprised if it would be the only movie that audiences would want to watch among all the other entries.
