- Enchong Dee has been absent from TV for almost a year now
- He is set to star in an upcoming movie
- The actor gave an update about Bea Alonzo
Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee has seemingly been on hiatus since his last series The Blood Sisters in 2018. After how many months of rest, Enchong is part of the movie Circa, one of the entries of Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2019.
The film is about Doña Atang (Anita Linda), a once celebrated film producer who wants to mark her 100th birthday with a milestone event. For her wish, she wants a reunion with all the actors and staff that she has worked with in the past.
Circa also stars veteran actors Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jaclyn Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Ricky Davao under the direction of Adolfo Alix Jr. The late Eddie Garcia also has a special participation in the film.
In an interview during the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2019 Grand Fancon held at the SMX Convention Center, Enchong dished out details about his character in the movie.
“She [Anita Linda] is my grandma sa pelikula. She’s also like the mother of Philippine cinema. It’s more of giving tribute to Philippine cinema.
“Ang pelikula namin gives honor to the people who worked for Philippine cinema for the past 100 years and the changes that we encountered in doing films and receiving films,” he shared.
The actor also expressed his overwhelming happiness in working with several big stars in the showbiz industry.
“Noong nagdadasal ako ng panibagong trabaho sa Panginoon, di ko akalain na
ibibigay niya sa ‘kin yung project na binigay ni Direk Adolf.
“Imagine mo, nakasama ko si Anita Linda, Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Ricky Davao, Elizabeth Oropesa parang lahat magagaling, Laurice Guillen, so sabi ko, ‘Wow! Sobra kong swerte.’
“Basically, kailangan ko ng tulong ni Direk [Adolf] kasi mas kumbaga lahat ng nakasama ko doon mas madalas niyang nakakasama so he would guide me all throughout the shoot of the movie,” Enchong revealed.
The 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino runs from September 13 until 19 without screening any Hollywood or foreign films.
While on a hiatus, the 30-year-old actor is currently spending his time running several businesses, handling a real estate company, and being an ambassador of a food chain. He is also preparing to launch a music school as his new business venture.
Given these endeavors, how does he manage his time?
“It goes hand in hand. Now that I’m not doing a TV series, mas marami akong oras para bigyan ng pansin ang mga negosyo. Pero it’s adjustable. Ang lahat naman ng negosyo ko, hindi naman ako yung nagta-trabaho, except for the school. I’m really focused on that.
“You’re part of the decision making and you’re a signatory also. It goes hand in hand. Kapag dumating naman ang teleserye, it’ll take a backseat from this one,” Enchong explained.
He also admitted that he turned down several projects in the past.
“May mangilan-ngilan. But it wasn’t because of my schedule as a businessman.
“It was more of a career planning decision na, ‘Okay, I can’t take this particular role because I’m waiting for this one.’ ‘I can’t take this particular movie because I’m looking forward to this bigger movie.’
“I’m fortunate because now I have the freedom, I have the luxury to turn down nicely.”
He recalled, “Siyempre, nung bata ka, kailangan tanggapin mo lahat, di ba? But now, you get to choose.
“After this movie [Circa], we’re waiting for the other movie if we will be part of the Metro Manila Film Fest.
“May mga nagpe-present rin ng movie na I’m excited to do. Kasi pag pelikula, there’s a certain fulfillment kapag pelikula ang ginagawa mo.
“Kapag pelikula, food for the soul, food for the artist’s soul.”
Enchong then quipped, “Pag teleserye naman, umuulan ng pera! Joke lang! Totoo naman!”
The ABS-CBN actor admitted that he is still waiting for the “right” teleserye for him.
Did Enchong consider acting for theater?
“Yes, pero kailangan in Filipino,” answered Enchong. “Ayoko muna mag-English kasi I don’t want to be hypocritical about it.
“Kasi hindi ko first language ang English. So parang feeling ko, I’ll focus on Filipino first.”
Enchong is currently a contract artist of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic.He came to prominence after starring in his first major TV drama Katorse (2009). He also played the role of “Luis” in the Filipino remake Maria la del Barrio (2011). He also starred in Ina, Kapatid, Anak (2012–13), Muling Buksan Ang Puso, Nathaniel (2015), and A Love to Last (2017).
The actor also gave an update of his close friend and travel buddy Bea Alonzo who is moving on after going through a controversial breakup with Gerald Anderson.
“She’s okay. She doesn’t need comforting. She’s a strong girl,” said the Kapamilya actor in a recent interview with PEP.ph.
Enchong and Bea starred together in several projects such as Magkaribal (2010), Sa ‘Yo Lamang (2010), A Love to Last (2017), and the blockbuster movie Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013).
