Justine Samson: Yolanda survivor, Tacloban's best actor

Who would have thought that a simple boy from Tacloban City would not just be joining the Quezon City International Film Festival (QCinema), but taking the Best Actor trophy as well?

Prior to being cast in Khavn Dela Cruz's "Balangiga: Howling Wilderness", Justine Jayvan Samson was an average student who was shy, but loved to be part of programs in his school.

"Grade three na siya ngayon, okay naman grades niya. Average lang siya. Ma-shy siya, hindi pasaway. Gustong gusto siya ng teacher niya. Nasa tabi lang 'yon. Naka-upo. Hindi siya pasaway," said Justine's grandmother Marilyn Samson in an interview shared with GMA News Online.

"Usually sa eskwelahan niya, sabihin niya, 'Ma pag may program sasali ako,' Tatawanan kami. 'Ikaw sasali marunong ka ba?' 'Oo marunong ako.' Tapos sinasalihan niya pambabae kaya tinatawanan namin. [Pero] sabi ni Ma'am daw puwede 'yon sa lalaki," his grandmother added.

Justin Samson

Justine is the eldest grandson of Marilyn. He has two younger brothers named Joshua and Jethro. For his lola, he is the favorite apo in their family.

"Si Justin, nakatira sa amin since birth pa lang kasi 'yung anak ko, mama niya, maagang nag-asawa. Eighteen lang tapos hindi nagkaano ng kanyang kinakasama, naghiwalay sila," Marilyn said. "Si Justin iniwan 'yan sa amin. Kami na ang nagpalaki."

Victims of disastrous Yolanda

Marilyn shared that their family experienced the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

The tragedy, Marilyn disclosed, strengthened their family's bond and taught Justine and his siblings to be alert and cautious during calamities.

"Sa panahon ng Yolanda, ang nangyari sa amin parang ayaw na namin maghiwalay, takot na kaming maghiwalay. Dapat nandiyan kami. Tapos ang mga bata, nagiismart sila. Alerto na sila," Marilyn said.

Justine and his siblings learned how to prepare their emergency bags, containing flashlights, matches, water, and food. At his young age, Justine also learned how to use weather information in able to get ready for storms. 

Perfect for the role

During the first time that film director Khavn Dela Cruz met Justine, he knew that the young boy was fit for the character of Kulas, an eight-year-old boy who leaves town with his grandfather and their carabao to escape the American military's onslaught.

"Gut feel lang. Swak ang itsura, laki/liit, kulay niya sa nasa isip ko. Maliban sa pisikal, ang pinaka-requirement ko ay dapat sobrang angas ng bata, natural na angas, hindi kasi kayang pekein yun eh," De La Cruz told GMA News Online.

"Naniwala kami sa kanya n'ong tinanong namin siya kung marunong siyang sumakay ng kalabaw, umakyat ng puno at iba pang gawain ng batang bukid," he added.

The director said his team did not convince Justine to be part of the film. He simply wanted it.

"We didn't need to convince him. He wanted to be part of our film. Isa si Justine sa mga nag-audition n'ong nagpunta kami sa Tacloban last May. Siya ang pinaka-nagustuhan namin dahil sa likas niyang angas," De La Cruz said.

Justine: Best Actor

It was only through Facebook that Justine learned of his victory in the QCinema. The first thought on his mind was not the trophy nor the recognition, but his incomplete name.

"Tumawa muna siya. 'Nanalo ako, tingnan ko nga. Hindi man, kulang man pangalan ko. Justine man lang,' Kinorrect niya..." Marilyn shared.

"Parang nagiismile lang siya," Justine's grandmother added.

After learning about his triumph, Marilyn gave hopes to the boy that this could be the start of a career in acting. She even uttered some piece of advice to her grandson: "Kung anong sinasabi ng direktor, 'yun lang anuhin mo. Sundin mo."

For the film's director, Justine should not close doors on film industry. He believes in Justine's gift when it comes to acting.

"Why not? It's up to him. Filmmaking is not all glitter and gold. Real acting means a lot of hard work and patience. Then there's the whole tricky politics of show business.

"Though one could say Justine already made his mark merely by bagging the Best Actor prize in QCinema, given that he's a non-actor and 'Balangiga' is his first film," De la Cruz said.

"In terms of natural talent, Justine obviously has it. But no matter how immense that gift is, that's just the first ingredient," De La Cruz added. — AT, GMA News