PUSONG MAMON’ – Martin del Rosario’s Barbs character in “Born Beautiful” brings to mind gay roles in the past.
Eric Quizon and Albert Martinez were delightful in “Pusong Mamon,” gay lovers who, “by accident,” got involved with Lorna Tolentino. Albert got her pregnant.
How to get out of the tight situation? Enter Matt Mendoza who was willing to marry LT and adopt the baby. Another happy if unconventional family.
Joel Lamangan directed “Pusong Mamon” and when he got sick, Eric took over.
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‘SELYA’ – If “Pusong Mamon” is light and breezy, “Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya” is serious, at times dark drama. Ricky Davao is the “Lalaki” (school principal) who marries ‘Selya” (makes her a respectable woman) played by Rosanna Roces.
The whole town mocks Ricky, with Gardo Verzosa as “the other man,” making things tough for Rosanna. Also, there’s Allan Paule as Ricky’s former lover.
Directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna who, somehow, come up with a happy ending.
Another Siguion Reyna film is “Tatlo” – Ara Mina involved with two lesbians, Gina Alajar and Rita Avila. But in the end, Tonton Gutierrez won the day.
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ACTORS IN – Yes, actors in gay roles, although not necessarily gay in person.
Roderick Paulate is noted for those loud roles. Think “Petrang Kabayo,” which Vice Ganda inherited, jumping off his phenomenal, “unkabogable” popularity.
The late Mark Gil and brother Michael de Mesa, very effective in “scandalous” or discreet gay parts. It is said that real men make very effective gays onscreen.
Think of Dolphy, Eddie Garcia, Ronaldo Valdez, Dindo Fernando, Eddie Gutierrez, George Estregan.
Dolphy was incomparable in “Ang Tatay Kong Nanay,” directed by Lino Brocka. Another one was ‘Markova,” directed by Gil Portes.
Oh, what a beautiful lady Coco Martin came out in an episode of “Ang Probinsyano.”
Ditto Joey de Leon in “Barbi,” where he played a woman and not gay.
John Lloyd Cruz was memorable in Lav Diaz’s “Ang Babaeng Humayo” and Olive Lamasan’s “In My Life,” as the lover of Luis Manzano.
