MAUI TAYLOR plays her most challenging role to date in the controversial 9th film of the very prolific director, Darryl Yap, “69+1”.
She plays a lesbian who’s in a relationship with Rose Van Ginkle, who is given her first starring role in this movie.
“It’s about a polyamorous or open relationship,” says Maui.
“Seven years na kami ni Rose and we want to test our relationship kung hanggang saan kami puede, so we got Janno Gibbs as the plus one, para maging threesome kami.
"I’ve worked with Direk Darryl before in ‘Gusto Ko Maging Pornstar’, so I asked him muna what is required of me and he explained naman everything to me, so I said okay, let’s do this.”
So she didn’t have any reluctance doing the movie?
“None. Let’s face it, 20 years na ako sa showbiz, so when they made me read the script, sabi ko, okay lang ako. Sanay na ako sa ganyan, gamay ko na siya, e.
"But it’s the first time I heard about a polyamorours relationship. I never thought such a thing exists. But it’s 2021 na, so may ganito na pala.
"I’ve never been in a polyamorous relationship, but making this movie made me realize that it’s very hard to be in one.”
Has she experienced being in a lesbian relationship in real life
“No, naranasan kong maligawan by someone sa same sex pero I never experienced it. Our generation kasi, we were put inside a box.
"We were made to believe na you have to be in a relationship na pang-boy and girl lang. So I never got to a point na mage-experiment ako with the same sex.
"But I admit na naranasan kong maging two-timer, sabay na relationships, both boys. But yung same sex, I never got to explore it.”
So it must have been difficult kissing Rose Van Ginkel in the movie?
“Not really, kasi nagawa ko naman yan before 20 years ago sa ‘Balahibong Pusa’ ni Erik Matti, with Rica Peralejo.
"But first time ko with Rose, so sabi ko sa kanya, nakakapagod kapag paulit ulit ang eksena, so let’s give it our 100 percent agad para wala ng take two.”
Did she hesitate doing threesome scenes with Janno Gibbs and Rose?
“Actually, yung love scenes with Janno is the fun part ng movie kasi comedic ang treatment. Magugulat kayo.
"We never had any problems shooting it. He being Janno Gibbs, he gives his 110 percent. Yung comedic part, it just comes out naturally from him
Will she make her family watch the movie?
“Ok lang for my family to watch. I’m always proud of all the movies i’ve done. Alam naman nilang I’m an actress and I’m just playing a role, so i have no reservations at all ipapanood ito sa kanila, anytime they want.”
She’s happy for Rose Van Ginkel who plays her first starring role in “69+1”.
“When Direk Darryl told me about his plans for her, natuwa ako para kay Rose. Tapos na kasi ako sa ganyang launching. I’ve been there, done that, so let’s give this moment to Rose, para naman she’ll shine on her own.
"I was happy to guide her sa shoot. I always tell her that she has a choice. Kung ayaw niya gawin ang isang eksena, she can always say no.”
What’s her most challenging scene in the movie?
“May scene kaming tatlo na fluid kami, kinunan ng seven minutes. When we’re told about it, ako, ang reaction ko, o sige, halika na, let’s do it.
"Pero afterwards, na-stress ako. For the first time, napagod ako. Kasi one camera lang yun, tapos eight paragraphs ang pina-memorize sa aming lahat. One long shot, bawal magkamali. Dun ako na-pressure”
What can she say to detractors who watched their trailer and find their movie “malaswa” or scandalous?
“Kahit anong pelikula naman na ganun ang tema, they will always have an opinion about how these movies are done.
"But honestly, for me, they’re free to say whatever they want to say pero sana, panoorin muna nila ang movie bago sila mag-judge. Di pa nga napapanood ang buong movie, andami nang sinasabi.”
Does the movie have any lesson at all?
“Meron, the lesson in the story is saan ka ba sasaya? Sasaya ka ba sa isang relationship with just one person? Or would you be happier in a polyamorous relationship? So hopefully the movie will help you find out for yourself.
"Pero sa akin, in real life, I won’t go to that extent. Kung maghihiwalay kayo ng partner mo, di maghiwalay na lang kayo. We don’t have to get a third party to find out or prove that we love each other.”
Members of the LGBT community might not like their movie?
“Ang feeling ko nga, LGBT members will like this kasi first time tinackle itong polyamorous relatrionship sa isang movie. I think they’ll love it and give it a standing ovation.”
