By Alwin Ignacio
During Joem Bascon’s showbiz wonder years, people always compared him to the Philippine National Heartthrob, Piolo Pascual.
As a relative newbie who can pass as Pascual’s younger brother, he enjoyed the semblance and the perks that came with his being a Pascual look-alike. Bascon says, “It was flattering at first, I will not deny that I enjoyed that phase. You know, I wanted to be known and noticed. Being proclaimed as someone who can pass as Piolo, kung may physical similarities nga kami, who am I to argue.”
“Noong sunud-sunod na ang trabaho at ako talaga ang gusto nila sa role, it was a relief to finally land and get bida-kontrabida, gray character roles, because of my merits, and not because I look like someone, “ the character actor continues.
All his efforts paid off handsomely, of course. Of recent memory, he was the lead actor in Pusong Ligaw. He was in the prime time drama The Good Son.
For his film work, he had his fair share of Gawad URIAN nominations for Noy, Ka Oryang and Qwerty and gave life to several character roles in more than twenty motion pictures.
“Offbeat” and “out of the box,” these descriptions are what Bascon looks for when he chooses a role, be it for the boob tube or the silver screen.
His character Wazy in the forthcoming Cinema One Originals film festival entry Double Twisting Double Back is one fine example that pushes the word “offbeat” to an all new level.
As Tony Labrusca’s best friend in the sports erotic thriller, Bascon relates, “He is a sex addict. He is the total opposite of Badger. You know, yung character ni Tony, he pushes himself to please other people. As in kahit naghihirap siya, basta nandun siya sa logical side. As his best friend, I tell him that there easy ways and means to realize ones dreams, yun nga lang, twisted at perverted ang means ko to realize them.”
“It’s a role of a lifetime,”Bascon enthuses. “ I am not doing this because it is ultra daring, I am giving my character not only his being but his tormented soul. Kasi dito na mate-test yung pagiging vulnerable ko, kung kaya ko ba talagang hubarin ang pagkatao ko. Tanggalin si Joem Bascon at i-portray lang ang isang karakter the best way I can. “
What convinced him to say yes, “I am not getting any younger. Kailan ko pa gagawin ito, when I am all aged and wrinkly? Whatever the script required, gagawin ko. Alam ninyo naman ako pag gumawa, hindi ko ito pwedeng dayain. Matapang ang film na ito. More than the limang beses ako talaga magpapakita ng dick, this is a brave film because it exposes, explains and will make people understand that mental health issues are for real.”
He praises his co-actor Labrusca to bits, “I love Tony. Gustung-gusto ko ang mga mata niya. Hindi niya alam kung ano ang gagawin niya pero pag nasa eksena na siya, mahusay siya. May ibinibigay siya na hindi niya alam.”
Joem goes on, “In one of our shoots, Tony asked me, ‘Do you think five years from now I can be like you?’ I told him, yes. Mas magaling pa nga siya sa akin. He is serious about his craft. He will become an actor, and not just any actor ha, but a good one.”
In conclusion, Bascon states, “I want audiences to look at this film as an eye opener for mental illness. I also want people to realize na doing the full monty in a film ay hindi as long as tama ang material at dahilan kaya nga kami naging actor, we should and must always play for truth.”