How I Got My First Indie Film Role

A FARAWAY LIFE

It was the summer of 2008

I was contacted through email by GMA7 to assist in the audition & screening for local talent who were interested to appear in an indie film produced by famed American photographer Tim Fitzharris and wife Joy. 

Since the film was originally intended for U.S. release, facility with the English language was very important.

Anyway, the last role to be cast was for the character of Temyo, a good- for- nothing gambler and gun smuggler. Tim was already frantic for they were already a few days behind schedule and even if they had auditioned quite a number of men, he still couldn’t find his Temyo    

By the end of the day, Tim, who was already exasperated at this point, called my attention. He asked if I had any acting experience or if I had performed onstage.

Confidently, I told him that I had appeared in two ABS CBN productions already back in 2005. Both had speaking parts.

The first was Maalaala Mo Kaya where I appeared in the “Resort” episode and the second was for the role of Haring Kabugto in the fantaserye “Ang Panday” topbilled by Jericho Rosales and Heart Evangelista.

Although the part was short- lived (I was to die after a few episodes and in fact, we had to shoot first my death scene)we had so much fun and it was an entirely different experience for me

Anyway, back to Tim Fitzharris. 

When he found out that I had some acting experience already, he asked me if I was interested to audition for the role of Temyo. 

Well, I was not the type to dilly- dally when an opportunity presents itself so I said YES and the rest was history

The auditions were done at the MetroCentre Hotel. 

The film which had a two- month shooting schedule was to be shot in its entirety in Bohol.  

Among the local talents who appeared in the film were:

Georgia Jauslin

Meljun Daniel

Chanisse Bojo

Sophia Bacor

Disis Yap- Alba

Neil Sandidge

Joross Gamboa

Cesar Montano