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Walang Tulugan mainstay Teejay Marquez is ready to graduate to more mature roles. And after a memorable turn as a drug addict in one of
Magpakailanman's highest rating episodes, Teejay is following it up with another role that will get people talking--as a Muslim in the independent film
Pagari.
Walang Tulugan mainstay Teejay Marquez is ready to graduate to more mature roles. And after a memorable turn as a drug addict in one of Magpakailanman's highest rating episodes, Teejay is following it up with another role that will get people talking--as a Muslim in the independent film Pagari.
"The movie is about friendship, love of Allah--the misconception [about] Muslims," Teejay shares. Pagari centers around the friendship of two boys, about brotherly love.
In Magpakailanman, fans have already seen a glimpse of a mature Teejay Marquez. Now, imagine a whole film with a mature Teejay front and center. Teejay hopes that his fans wouldn't be put off, "kasi sa tv pa kyut ako... kenkoy. Sa Pagari, same na kabataan pa rin [ang role ko], pero medyo seryoso--[mas] dramatic ito."
Approached by the film's producers to play the role of Mohammad, Teejay thought the opportunity was too good to pass up. "Kakaiba siya. Nung nalaman ko 'yung story, sobrang interesado ako."
It also didn't hurt that the role was written with Teejay in mind, "kung hindi ko daw tatanggapin so Mohammad--hindi daw matutuloy 'yung pelikula. Wow, 'di ba?"
Also playing into his decision to accept the role? The fact that the film's cast is composed of people he hasn't worked with yet. He says, "bilang actor pati ako nasu-surprise sa mga natutunan ko at natutuklasan ko pag nakakatrabaho ko ang iba't-ibang artista."
"I listen talaga," he adds, sharing how he would observe how his co-actors would tackle a scene--which would then inform him of how he should portray his role better. "And if you work with good actors, nakaka-inspire talaga. And you grow."
And if there's one thing Teejay learned about the world of independent cinema, it's how much more effort it needs compared to mainstream productions. "Kailangan ng hirap at tiyaga."
"Maliban [kasi] sa Pagari, gumawa rin ako sa GMA Films [ng independent film, 'yung] Basement." Teejay says his only mainstream work so far has been limited to television and commercials. He can't compare with mainstream films yet, but so far, Teejay describes his independent film experience as "masaya sya at nakakatuwa."
Adding to his 'saya' and 'tuwa' in this project is the fact that he was also asked to sing the film's main theme.
"Nanganak lang 'yung movie na ako na kakanta [nung movie theme]," Teejay notes. Singing the theme song wasn't part of the deal initially, Teejay explains. But who was he to turn down the offer? "Sayang naman, so I grabbed the opportunity." Teejay must've done a great job because the producers eventually offered for him to sing for the whole soundtrack!
"May album na ako!" Teejay comments with a laugh.
Pagari will hold its premiere night on March 19, at SM Megamall Cinema ?; it opens to the general public beginning March 20 in SM Cinema theaters nationwide, and in select cinemas in Metro Manila.
