AMAY, CLOYD AND VADING Z.
By Alex J. Socorro

(Following are more notes on personalities who, in one way or the other, have contributed their time and effort to the film industry. Photos and interviews were taken during the screening of nominated films for the Luna Awards in the UP Film Center from August 14 to 24—editor).

Amay Bisaya with Veron Sultan in the background

Amay Bisaya is the perennial bit-player in the movie industry so it makes one wonder why he seems to have clout, not only in the industry but in other fields as well. “Magaling lang akong makisama kaya kahit maliit lang tayo, medyo maraming kakilala. Sa military naman, nagso-show kasi ako sa mga generals,” Amay suppresses a giggle. Always unassuming but with trigger-happy hands in providing assistance to the bosses in the industry, Amay is sometimes accused of being sipsip. “A, hindi naman. Maliksi lang talaga ako sa buhatan, sa lakaran at kahit anong utos. Masipag ba! At saka pag mahal mo ang mga kaibigan mo siyempre okey lang na utusan ka, di ba? Ganyan akong makisama, hanggang sa huli.”

A true-blue FPJ alalay, Amay segues the topic with sleight of hand, giving one the impression that the reminiscing of his beloved idol is second nature to him. “Basta sa industriya, lagi akong nandyan. Kita mo naman nung namatay si Ninong Ronnie, ako ang nauna dun at hanggang sa huli ako pa rin ang nasa puntod niya, di ba? Pag ang tao mabuti talaga puwede bang mawala ang mga tagahanga? Hanggang ngayon, andito pa rin ako, handang tumulong kay Ninong Ronnie, kahit sa mga naiwan na lang niya.” His voice croaks a bit to manifest his regret on the untimely demise of FPJ.

Seeming to have lost his composure due to his recollection, Amay sidesteps the issue sans the finesse. “Yung asawa ko pala, director sa TV. Veron Sultan ang pangalan niya. Sa IBC-13 siya ngayon, hawak niya yung Congress Sa Radyo pati yung Lotto (Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot). Magaling yan. Veron Sultan, ha? Ilagay mo ang pangalan.” Good PR was another innate characteristic of Amay. When we approached Veron, she refused to be photographed. Maybe that’s the reason why Amay was promoting the skills and talents of his wife. Veron adds that she used to handle shows in NBC-4 and although the pay is not that good, she enjoys her directorial chores at IBC-13 which is coming up with a new program – Radyo Kongreso sa Telebisyon hosted by Vic Felipe, the founder of Radyo Kongreso Foundation, Inc.

Back to Amay, in the planning board is a lampoon of The Da Vinci Code. Titled Vading Z. Code, the film stars Eddie Garcia, Yul Servo and Amay Bisaya. Just from the title, it is already a given that’s it’s a pure comedy. Perhaps Garen Films of Baby Navoa, the producer, is willing to give Amay a break if only for the guy’s perseverance and comedic talent. “Si Eddie ang bading dito tapos kami ni Yul…,” Amay laughs in explaining that his is more than a support role. “Bale tatlo talaga kaming bida rito. Kaya puwede akong ma-nominate sa best actor,” he emits a series of giggles while fixing his long braided hair for a camera shot. Vading Z. Code also has Viva Hot Babe Andrea Del Rosario for the female lead.

But surprise of surprises! A film, also in the offing, has Amay Bisaya in the title role! Anak Ng Pugante is to be directed by Kaka Balagtas and to be produced by Ed Tambunting. It is a serious action film, insists Amay, that promises to show the acting prowess of Amay Bisaya, the once bit player and dakilang alalay. Let’s see what he’s got inside his sleeves.

Cloyd Robinson used to be a teen idol with several sing and dance movies with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. But short of being a star himself, Cloyd sidled to the background even before Vilma’s and Nora’s star (as teen idols) faded. “Hindi naman ako naging bida, support lang ako kina Nora at Vilma,” Cloyd says with no pretenses. He had preferred lesser roles to develop his versatility.

Upon knowing that the interviewer is a member of the SGP (Screenwriters Guild of the Philippines), Cloyd exclaims, “Mabuti yan, dyan naman nag-uumpisa sa pagsusulat. Naging writer din ako, scriptwriter. Tapos naging PM (Production Manager), nag-Line Producer din ako sa Agrix dati. Saka, ano, naging Director din ako.” Cloyd is not ashamed to have handled different chores, in lull periods of his acting career, just to earn an income. “Mahirap kasi ang walang pera. Alam mo naman sa showbiz, minsan up, madalas down,” he laughs as if to erase the bitterness in his mouth. It is apparent that he doesn’t want to hear that the movie industry is dying (and some even say that it is already dead).

“Ngayon nasa Calla Lily ako,” declares Cloyd with pride. “Postman ako dun, yun bang friendly postman ng neighborhood. Kaya lang two weeks na lang tatakbo ang Calla. Sayang nga, sayang,” the bitterness shows this time. Cloyd intimates that he is more of an actor than a technical staff. He laughs loud upon saying, “Lahat ng role, okay lang sa akin. Nung araw, alam mo, nag-pene pa nga ako. Ay, wag mo nang isulat, no, wag mong isulat kung anong movie at kung sino ang bida. Pero totoo yun, nag-pene ako. Yes, ako ang artista,” more laughter trails his words.

“Yung last big movie ko? Yung ano, yung kay Bong at Ai-Ai, yung ano… Kapag Tumibok ang Puso, yun nga. Si Wen Deramas ang director. Hmm, kumita yun, yes, kumita naman. Ang papel ko? Taong grasa,” Cloyd makes faces as if to reprise his role of a street urchin. “Pero meron akong bago, yung Barang ni Chavit Singson. Siya ang producer nun. Nahilig eh,” he is referring to Gov. Singson who is following the footsteps of his mother who used to produce movies. “Si Buboy Tan ang director. Bale uncle ako ni Julianna Palermo.” Barang is about witchcraft and Cloyd proudly says that almost all the characters in the movie were hexed except for him.

“Nung araw pa, director na ko. Yung Adventure Zone, ke Derek Dee, siya ang producer. Sa TV lang yun. Ako ang director. Yun ang first directorial job ko,” pride is evident in Cloyd’s tone.

“Teka, meron pala akong bagong movie. Malapit nang mag-shoot yung Vading Z. Code,” Cloyd shows a little forgetfulness when queried of the stars in the said movie. But when asked of his role, he replies, “Oy, hindi ako bading dun, straight ako. Si Eddie yata, siya yata ang bading.” Eddie Garcia topbills Vading Z. Code which is soon to be shot on location in Antipolo. Cloyd will play Eddie’s assistant in the tradition of Matutina. He fails to mention Amay Bisaya and Yul Servo who will also appear in Vading Z. Code.

“Bayaan mo, magdi-direct ulit ako. Teka, ano nga palang name mo?” Cloyd innocently asks this writer. Handing him my business card, he smiles after reading. “Ah, Film Academy ka pala mismo. Tatawagan kita pag may project ako, ha? Ito ba ang cell mo? Okay, ite-text kita,” Cloyd smiles again and pats my back before proceeding to the coffee server.

Comments to this article can be sent to ajsocorro@yahoo.com.