KEEMPEE DE LEON gave a memorable performance last year as the gay dad of Christian Bables in “Mahal Kita, Beksman”.
This year, he gives another ribtickling portrayal as Rodrigo, the very straight and very macho straight dad of Enchong Dee as Junior in the laugh-out-loud Summer Metro-Manila Filmfest entry of Quantum Films, “Here Comes the Groom”.
“My role in ‘Here Comes the Groom’ is much more difficult kasi bale I am playing two characters,” he says.
“First as the husband of Gladys Reyes na homophobic at nandidiri sa mga bakla.
"But after we figured in a car crash where our bodies got switched, my body is inhabited by the gay kontesera, Xiloutte as Wanda, so yung dating macho, naging swishy gay.”
Keempee has many hilarious scenes in the movie, like his biggest highlight when he puts on a wig and make-up then joins the party in the resort’s bar attended by some hunks.
He ends up partying and happily dancing with them. They even lift him up in the air like he’s some sex goddess.
But for us, his funniest scene is when he first sees himself in the mirror and Xilhouete realizes that he is occupying Keempee’s body.
Xilouete as Keempee is horrified that he has gained weight and exclaims while crying: “Bakit ang chubby-chubby ko?”
Keempee said in the presscon: “HIndi ko talaga matanggap na mukhang siopao pala ako!”
This is just Xilouete’s first acting job and she acquits herself like a real pro. She is a drag performer who was in “Drag Race Philippines”.
She is considered a drag mother of many queens and a regular performer at the Nectar Nightclub in The Fort Strip, BGC.
She is best known for impersonating Dr. Vicki Belo.
“First time ko to act kasi costume designer talaga, so sobra talaga ang kaba ko,” she says.
“Tapos, kasali pala ito sa film festival. But thanks to Direk Chris Martinez, I think naitawid ko naman yung two roles ko as Keempee and as Wanda na laging kaaway si Nico Antonio as my chief rival sa gay beauty pageants.
"Ang hirap nung maging lalaki ako. Nabaon ko na yun sa limot but then, to look like Keempee, dapat baguhin ko yung tayo ko, yung lakad ko at pati ang boses ko, dapat ibalik ko yung dati kong voice na boses lalaki.”
But she feels all the hardships she encountered paid off well.
“Yes, now, after watching the movie in its premiere night, I’m just happy and proud na I became a part of this very funny and entertaining movie.
"So panoorin po nyo sa sinehan when it opens in theaters nationwide on April 8, Black Saturday.”
