On January 23, actor Aga Muhlach revealed that he had always wanted to take on a gay role.
During the media conference for Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin at the Viva Cafe, which LionhearTV covered, Muhlach said he pitched doing a gay role during his time with Star Cinema.
“It’s one movie that I really haven’t done, and I’ve been wanting to do noon pa. But then, sabi nga natin, let’s see. It has to be the right– kasi marami na ring istorya na ganyan eh.
“But then, may gusto rin akong gawin na, hindi ko rin masabi eh. Parang noong nasa Star Cinema pa lang ako parang pinipilit ko na ‘to. Even in the latter years of my career sa Star Cinema, sinasabi ko na parati ‘to kila Inang, kila Direk Rory, kila Tita Malou, sinabi ko na ‘yan dati na may concept ako dati na gustong-gusto kong gawin, and even up to now. Hindi siya nangyayari, siguro not meant, but if that was to happen, that would be something very–kasi.”
He then discussed the concept of the project, wherein he would be portraying a retired gay comedian facing the struggles of being alone in life.
“Of course, I would play an old, retired gay performer. It has something to do with that and how we are parang most of the time we are at the time of the prime of a gay performer, kunyari ‘yung mga nasa stage, stand-up comedy, ‘yung saya-saya, tapos pagtanda nila makikita mo sila sa isang barangay, walang tirahan, walang ganon, parang nakalimutan na lang sila.
“Not accepted by the–well, [accepted] by the society, of course, but na isang tabi na lang. So, the struggle of that person, of that comedian, ‘yung struggle niya as– but [all of a sudden] I’m alone.
“And of course, mayroon pa ring earthly things, mayroon pa rin siyang gustong kamunduhan, even at that age, but at the same time, nasusuka na rin siya sa ibang– so in the end, parang you’re alone, by yourself, wala kang asawa, wala kang ano.”
He wanted to depict a story of a performer who had already lived past his prime.
“May mga ganon eh, those are the things you want to tackle as a gay person. Parang, you [want] to show the world the good side, not the bad. It’s the hardship, also. It’s not for everyone, ‘yung mga performers na ‘to na nakalimutan na ng tao na at some point gave life to the stage, to people, and their personal story and what happens behind that stage. ‘Yung mga ganon, ‘yung mga love interest with young men.”
As for their film, Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin stars Aga Muhlach and Julia Barreto.
Under the direction of Denise O’Hara, Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin, under Viva Films, opens in cinemas on February 7.
