You’d think baring skin on screen is easy when you’ve got a face like Tony Labrusca or Martin del Rosario. But for these actors, ‘sexy’ isn’t as simple as stripping down; it’s also about vulnerability, control, and a lot of courage.
‘Honestly, I always tell people that I’m a good catfish because what you see on screen is just the best version of me,’ Tony Labrusca said, laughing. ‘I’m not really confident with my body. I can’t just show up on set naked. That’s not something I’m comfortable doing.’
Tony plays the titular role in Rodina Singh’s ‘Dreamboi,’ a psychological drama about fantasy, identity, and desire. But for him, sexy isn’t about flexing-it’s about facing insecurities head-on. ‘Just showing up on set gives me a different kind of vulnerability,’ he said during a recent media gathering to launch the CineSilip Film Festival, which runs from Oct. 22 to 28.
‘Because now, it’s not just about showing emotions-you’re literally revealing yourself. That was the most challenging part about doing the film,’ he pointed out. Martin del Rosario, lead of ‘Haplos sa Hangin,’ shared the sentiment. ”Di naman bago sa akin ang paggawa ng sexy roles,’ he began. ‘Pero ito yata ang pinaka-daring kong nagawa. Ang paghuhubad makes you feel vulnerable as actors. We’re lucky we went through an intimacy workshop para ma-set ang boundaries ng isa’t isa.’
For Martin, respect and communication make all the difference when filming intimate scenes. ‘Pwede naman mangyari na maghubad na lang at gawin ang sex scenes, pero at least alam mong may respeto,’ he said. ‘You know when to stop and when to go for it. That’s what’s exciting and challenging about doing erotic films.’
As for how daring his role gets, Martin added: ‘Yes, daring talaga. Poured chocolate on my body, and so there was a lot of licking that happened. But it’s very tastefully done. It has a message the director wants to convey.’ If vulnerability is the new bravery, then the CineSilip Film Festival might just be this year’s boldest stage for it. The festival is showcasing exciting works from emerging Filipino directors. Its fearless lineup says it all.
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Gian Arre’s ‘Ang Lihim ni Maria Makinang’ is a century-spanning romance that unfolds only under the full moon; Rhance Anonuevo-Carino’s ‘Ang Babae sa Butas’ is a mysterious erotic tale about faithfulness, curiosity, and a literal hole in the wall.
Mikko Baldoza’s ‘Haplos sa Hangin’ is a sensual horror where love is tested by obsession and a mysterious neighbor; Alan Habon’s ‘Maria Azama: Da Best Prn Star’ is a sexy comedy where a J-porn actress literally steps out of fantasy and into real life. Pongs Leonardo’s ‘Pagdaong’ is a drama on love, loss, and the transient nature of relationships, while BC Amparado’s ‘Salikmata’ is an erotic psychological thriller told in reverse, tackling manipulation and the unseen.
As festival director Ronald Arguelles put it: ‘This is not just a festival but a platform for fearless storytelling, a space kung saan welcome ang experimentation, kung saan lumalabas ang tunay na creativity ng mga Pinoy. Today, we meet the risk-takers and the dreamers of the seven new feature films. These films will make you laugh, cry, question, and maybe feel uncomfortable-that’s the magic of daring cinema.’