I met RS Franciso, now billed in the independent movie Bhoy Intsik, many years ago when I was writing feature articles for the now defunct S, the Sunday magazine of Manila Standard. It was, I guess, in the early 90s, when a young theater student from the University of the Philippines created a loud buzz after stripping naked on stage while playing the role of Song Liling, an opera singer who is actually a man with whom the character Rene Gallimard falls in love with.
The role opened many doors for Francisco who would later on appear in the movies and on television playing a variety of roles, mainly gay men, but nonetheless cemented his stature in show business and at the same time paving the way for the actor to establish himself as a commercial director and now a movie producer.
He is one of the guys behind the new movie Bhoy Intsik, the title role, of course, is played by him under the name Raymond Francisco along with Coco Martin’s younger brother Ronwaldo Martin.
This is a new journey in Francisco’s colorful career as an artist ~ as a first-time lead actor in an independent feature film produced under his own production company, Frontrow Entertainment.
Joel Lamangan directed Bhoy Intsik, among the five finalists in Brillante Mendoza and Wilson Tieng’s Sinag Maynila 2017. Mendoza is the festival director while Tieng, Solar Entertainment CEO, is the main proponent of the now three-year-old festival.
The film tackles the story of Bhoy Intsik (Francisco) and Marlon (Martin), two small-time felons whohave a petty mutual disdain for each other, being competitors in illegal business in a community of the livingdead. Eventually, both become allies.
“Being both the lead actor and producer of this film is definitely a big challenge for me,” says Francisco. “I had to separate my role as a producer and as an actor.
“During the pre-production stage of the film, I functioned as a producer. But when the cameras started to grind, I had to shut off the producer side of me to concentrate on my role, and leave all the production aspect to my director and the team.”
How does he rate Ronwaldo Martin as an actor? “Yes, he’s new in the business, but a very professional talent. I felt a screen chemistry with him as co-actors, as far as our roles were concerned – without any malicious angle, even if I’m a gay in the story and he’s straight.
“I’m also deeply honored to have director Joel (Lamangan) as my director who guided us on how to give color to our respective roles.”
The movie also stars Jeric Raval, Mon Confiado, Elora Españo, Jim Pebanco, Tony Mabesa, Shyr Valdes, Mike Lloren, and Liz Alindogan.
Bhoy Intsik opens tomorrow and will run until 14 at SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, Gateway, and Glorietta 4 Cinemas.
For the full screening schedule, check out the official Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/BhoyIntsik/
★★★★★
The date of a lifetime — an intimate sit-down dinner at an exclusive and secluded fine dining restaurant with the country’s hottest star, Maine Mendoza. This was how CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino, the country’s top-selling tocino, wanted to express gratitude to loyal CDO Funtastyk lovers for making it no 1.
To be part of the celebration, the users had to do Maine’s Funtastyk Dares posted on Facebook. From the hundreds of dare entries in the form of photos and videos from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the 20 most creative and engaging entries were selected.
The entries proved how the fans were eager to show their love for CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino. Some of the dares even showcased how versatile the Tocino is and that it can be eaten any time of the day.
It was indeed a night of fun and celebration as the top 20 winners, from Luzon and Mindanao enjoyed the sumptuous full-course French Mediterranean dinner at Lemuria Garden Restaurant. Of course, the special dish of the night was the CDO Funtastyk Tocino with pineapple, brie and shallots. The winners were given a chance to spend time and interact with the very charming Yaya Dub as they talked about their respective dares. Maine made the top 20 winners feel welcome and expressed how proud she was of them. It was truly a memorable night not just for our winners but also for Maine. During the dinner celebration, everyone surprised the endorser since she’ll be celebrating her birthday soon.
“Proud na proud ako sa kanilang lahat!” she said. An avowed CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino fan, Maine has always been vocal of how much she appreciates the salitre-free tocino. “Like them, paboritong paborito ko rin ang CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino. Masaya talaga makasama ang mga tulad mong mahilig sa top-selling tocino na siguradong 100 percent young pork na nga, no need to boil pa!” she shared during the occasion. “When I really get to know and bond with my fans, young talaga ang love ko! This is our way of thanking the loyal CDO Funtastyk Young Pork Tocino users sa walang sawang suporta!”