Written by Wilbur F. Hernandez
For wazzup.ph October 24, 2109
Becoming a leading man finally, in a mainstream movie, overwhelms Joem Bascon!
Because after over 15 years of receiving notices and acclaim in support roles, lengthy or erstwhile appearances in teleseryes and movies, be they independent films or major productions, the actor who remained modest, even quiet about his rich film and tvmography, now shares top billing with gorgeous and constantly credible Lovi Poe! They are husband and wife in a drama where love and passion are threatened to end in ‘The Annulment’.
Acclaimed director Mac Alejandre discourses and then summarizes that this drama gem of Regal Entertainment to open on November 13 “is a study of perspectives in marriage. Meaning we presented here the step-by-step or stages of how or why a marriage can end, all while the passion and the sex play a big part in a marriage”.
Here’s where Joem tells his observation, anchored from his character Sherwin, a simple unambitious man who gets easily contented with where his life is, for as long as he knows he carries his marriage revolving around love; which was not at all enough?
“Sherwin is a guy who really tries to find love kahit saang aspeto ng marriage niya. Ang dami na nilang dahan-dahang pinagdadaanang mag-asawa from conflicts to arguments kase hindi nila nare-realize hindi na nila nasasabayan ang isa’t-isa eh. Siyempre sa first step ng marriage andyan yung sobrang love, romance, passion, sweetness. After all that, andyan na yung realities ng buhay. Iyung bills, plano ninyo, responsibilities sa isa’t-isa. Roles niyo bilang mag-asawa na dapat inaalam niyo paano dalhin. Tapos nahihirapan kayong sabayan ang isa’t-isa kase hindi niyo pinaguusapan ang differences ninyo. Doon mo na maiisip nagsisimula na palang mag end ang marriage mo”.
Joem staples his character Sherwin to his real-life persona, but subtly saying that he tries to avoid what Sherwin does not realize the wrong thing he is doing to his marriage. This is what the actor is learning from while he is still single and ready to prepare, not just to mingle. “Ako kase when I am in a relationship when I’m in love, I really fight for the love na I want na laging center ng ka-relationship ko. I fight to become responsible and always thinking what is best for us, hindi lang para sakin. I consider my partner. Dapat sabay kami. Communications naming gusto naming pareho, constant. That is how I find my role to be relatable”.
But what is making Joem more interesting when he talks of his role is his ability to be realistic when he gets to the depth of Sherwin and all other roles he portrayed and made marks on, he is not a versatile actor if it’s the only accuracy of dialogue delivery, body actions and nuances he will focus on. May his characters are antagonistic or protagonists; he wants you to know and feel his character’s intentions. Nasaan Ka Elisa (2012) made him Cristobal Rivas who wants a married woman Agot Isidro. Caloy Cervantes is an Igorot torn between Beauty Gonzales and Bianca King in Pusong Ligaw (2107). Lawyer Dexter Soliman is slowly reaching his limits over his ruthless boss Judy Ann Santos in the triumphantly running Starla. He detoured preferences in Lihis and fell for co-rebel Jake Cuenca. Recently, he set barriers to keep his male lover in the iWant TV movie series Mga Batang Poz.
What Joem sees now in The Annulment’s Sherwin is a man who needs to re-evaluate his life and see the bigger picture of what life awaits him if it’s only love, sex, and passion he considers primarily for his marriage to work.“Pinag-uusapan nga namin ni Lovi sa set eh, sa mga eksena namin kung paano namin itree-treatv ang batuhan ng dialogues namin, we always agree to embody our roles,” for Sherwin and Gari to become real people. “Yes kasi maraming mga married couples lalo na today na marami nang pinagdadaanan na puwede silang mag-clash or magkaroon ng, you know bad na disagreements or arguments talaga. Kase they do not realize fully what is already disappearing sa marriage nila. That’s why The Annulment will show that communication with compromises ang dalawang keys for a marriage, ay kailangan,” he says with a factual tone. This connects to the realistic part of married life that laying down your cards with your spouse —- from defining responsibilities to roles, recognizing and then changing your lawful ways —- is not enough. “Dapat alam ninyo hindi lang intindihin kundi sabayan dapat ninyo ang isa’t-isa. Kase andun yung communication at compromises. Pag ganon friction pa lang sa pagsasama ninyo maa-avoid niyo na”.
