Coco Martin on why he chose Jodi Sta. Maria as his leading lady for Labyu with an Accent, his official film entry for MMFF 2022: “Jodi, I know that she also has good experience abroad. That’s why I started the story, that’s why I was inspired and the film was created.”
PHOTO/S: @cocomartin_ph on Instagram

It is a good sign that the famous artists who are seen in films during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) have once again made their own contributions for this Christmas season.

This can also be said to be a good sign of the revival of Filipino cinema.

This is said to be one of the reasons why actor/director Coco Martin decided to re-make a movie as his MMFF entry,   Star Cinema’s Labyu with an Accent .

During the movie’s mediacon held at the ABS-CBN Dolphy Theater recently, Coco said, “I thought of this project because I knew it would be in December. It’s been… almost three years since we’ve been able to leave our homes.

“We didn’t watch a movie, which is, that’s our Filipino tradition that during Christmas, it’s the reunion of all our families, friends, spouses, children…

“I’m like, why don’t we make a movie that we know might help the industry come back.”

“These people will be the reason why the films of the Metro Manila Film Festival today were made.”

He also said that he was also happy when he learned that Vice Ganda also had an entry.

“I’m really happy, even Vice, is making a movie now. There are so many great movies now that are participating. It’s fun because we’re all helping each other in the industry now so we can come back.

“That’s why, when I thought about it, I said, we should make a film that can inspire people. Because, we know the hardships we’ve gone through, the sadness. We haven’t been able to leave the house for a long time.”

“Of course, if we’re going to make a film, it should make them happy, make them laugh, inspire them, and make them fall in love.”

He added, “The concept of the film we made is complete. So even just watching it in the trailer, you’re already smiling.”
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COCO WORKS NON-STOP TO FINISH MOVIE

A large percentage of  Labyu with an Accent  was filmed in Los Angeles, California. Most of the cast actually flew to America, even though COVID-19 is still present today.

Coco did this after the final episode of her successful primetime series FPJ’s  Ang Probinsyano.

So you could say he hasn’t really had a break yet.

“Actually, the break, not yet,” he agreed.

“I was developing this concept when I was still making Ang  Probinsyano . Because, as I said before, I looked forward because, before the pandemic, we also made a movie with Angelica Panganiban,  Love or Money.

“Then, after that, it stopped. Then, we saw that our industry was struggling. When I felt it, I personally approached Star Cinema and talked to them about maybe we could help the industry again.

“I said, I have a concept that you might like. ‘Then, what I have in mind here is Jodi. Because, I know Jodi, she just finished her soap opera. ‘Then, as for me, Ang Probinsyano is about to finish.

“And then, I told them the concept. They liked it and when I found out that I had shows in America to thank the Filipinos, I said, I will continue the story there that while I was there, while I was doing shows, the days when I didn’t have a job, I was shooting.

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“So that’s what happened to us.”

“We did a show and after that, we went straight to shooting the movie. After we finished the movie, we did another show. When we got back to Manila, we shot again here and finished the movie. Now, we’re just editing it.”

COCO EXPLAINS WHY HE CHOSE JODI AS HIS LEADING LADY

He and Jodi Sta. Maria are also a new pair that will be seen in the MMFF. And the question is, why did he choose Jodi as the leading lady?

“Actually, it was inspired by my experience when I worked in Canada,” he said.

“Because I said, when I started acting in indie films, acting wasn’t really what I wanted, but working abroad.”

“That’s really my mindset, which is why I got into acting and indie films. Because, when you say indie films, they have a lot of potential to compete abroad.”

“And the experiences I had there, I incorporated into the film. And then, the advantage is, Jodi, I know she also had good experiences abroad. So that’s where I started the story, that’s where I was inspired, so the film was created.”

COCO AIMS FOR ‘ORGANIC’ ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY

Because they are both great actors and actresses, Jodi and her, even in the trailer, there is already chemistry or excitement between the two of them.

Did he see that too?

“For our actors, it’s very important that the scene be very organic. Because, if you rehearse it too much, you study your script too much, you’ll get it perfect,” Coco said.

And he also said, “But sometimes the magic, when someone gives something different, is because you pretend, you rehearsed it, you practiced it, you expected what everyone would give.

“Like Jodi, I also let her develop her character. I also surprise her. She doesn’t know my lines either. Because, I don’t give her a script. I just say, ‘Jods, this is what you say, this is what I’m going to say.’

“But, I always have a secret. I also let Jodi bring out her secret which is, when you watch it, the unexpected things that we’re saying, that’s where the thrill is.”

They said they had their first scene with Jodi without a script, they didn’t even have a guide, but when she watched it, she was thrilled.

“Maybe I said, because Jodi is such a great actress, she can carry me, she can pull me. Because I’m just a sponge. Whatever my co-actor gives, I just take it.”