Comedian and television host John Lapus plays a closeted gay character raised in an uptight religious family in the much-awaited horror-comedy film, Echorsis: Sabunutan Between Good and Evil—and he is endlessly amused by it.
“Gosh, my character, Kristoff, and I have contrasting experiences with being gay. I was never ‘paminta’ (closeted). Never ako naging stiff and never kong itinago kung sino talaga ako,” John says.
And unlike Kristoff, John did not go through a traumatic “coming out” moment with his family. His mom, especially, had accepted his sexuality early on.
“Walang naganap na confrontation kagaya ng eksena sa movie na makikita sa trailer. One day, isang araw, nakita na lang ng nanay ko na ahit ang kilay ko. Tapos noong second year college ako, pina-invite nya ang mga friends ko sa Teatro Tomasino (the theater guild of UST), eh puro mga bakla ‘yon at mga babaeng bakla. Nakita ko naman na inintertain sila ng nanay ko,” he recalls.
“My father abandoned us when I was in Grade 6, so it was much easier siguro in my case na mag-come out, unlike Kristoff na lumaki kasama ang tatay nyang military,” John muses.
In Echorsis, John’s character Kristoff is an emotionally vulnerable, closeted gay virgin who falls prey to a gigolo named Carlo (Alex Medina). Carlo eventually becomes possessed by a gay demon after Kristoff’s untimely death and undergoes exorcism rites performed by Father Nick, played by Kean Cirpriano.
Movie fans believe that Echorsis’ which was produced by Chris Cahilig of Insight 360, directed by critically acclaimed filmmaker Lemuel Lorca, and written by Jerry Gracio, is another breakthrough film for John.
“Kahit na horror-comedy ang Echorsis, malalim ang role ko dito. May kaunti ring drama kaya kakaiba,” he reveals. “Nakakaaliw din ang concept na paminta ako nung una at first time ko yatang gumawa ng isang ‘dark comedy’.”
John’s on-screen romance with the ruggedly handsome “kilabot ng mga beki” (gay heartthrob) Alex Medina has intrigued netizens, particularly the local LGBT community.
“SweetLex is the love team to beat,” the comedian quips, giggling. “Mas mahaba pa ito sa SLex at NLex. Malamang magkakatuluyan din kami—like JaDine,” he jests.
And is it true that John had a love scene with Alex?
“Actually ako ang nahiya sa kanya sa mga bed scenes namin. Pucha, nauuna pa maghubad sa akin eh . . . Nakaka-tense talaga!” he recalls.
John confesses that he has never been attracted to his fellow actors but it might be different this time around. “Malamang kay Alex pa lang!” he laughs.
John says he isn’t surprised that the trailer of Echorsis has become viral. “It’s different and yet familiar. Turns out horror and comedy with a touch of kabaklaan is a winning combo,” he laughs.
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Lovi knew the real Grace after FPJ died
For Lovi Poe, she saw the real Grace Poe when their father, Fernando Poe, Jr., passed on.
The former is FPj’s daughter with one-time actress Rowena Moran, while the latter is the adopted daughter of the actor and his wife, Susan Roces.
According to Lovi, both Susan and Grace welcomed her to the family
“Unang-una sa lahat, kasi si Ate Grace, alam naman po natin yung sitwasyon ko. Dun ko nakita sa kanya yung totoong puso n’ya nung namatay si Papa noon,” said Lovi. “Syempre hindi naman ganun kadali para tanggapin yung sitwasyon naming dalawa. Pero that very moment nakita ko napakabuti niya kasi she accepted me in an instant.”
That is why Lovi is very supportive of Grace’s bid to be the president in the coming elections because she knows who and what she is as a person.
“So thankful ako kasi parang isa iyan sa mga bagay na makikita mo iyong totoong pagkatao ng isang tao. Kasi through times doon lumalabas ang totoong ugali ng isang tao and doon ko nakita na going through that tough time she was there to accept me no matter what,” Lovie added.
Lovi campaigned for Grace Poe for the first time in Ilocos with her best friend Heart Evangelista who was campaigning too for her husband, Chiz Escudero, who is running for vice president.