(First of two parts)
‘Do good work and also, protect the work — Phi Palmos’
From the drag queen in “Laro” who finally puts her foot down, sets her boundaries, and chooses herself in the end, to Ada the gay parlorista of her small town who is suddenly bestowed with superpowers when he swallows a mysterious rock from outer space a la Darna, transforming into the hero ZsaZsa Zaturnah who uses her strength to save their town from monsters and the toxic feminist Amazonista from Planet XXX, Queen Femina, to Rosanna, the nurturing head – the “mother,” if you will – of the Kabataang Makulay, a group of young artists, misfits, and dreamers in the world of “Mula sa Buwan,” Phi Palmos has carved his niche for meaningful and progressive gay representation in theater and now extends to film and broadcast arts.
It was in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Ibalong,” written by Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio in 2013, where Phi’s journey as a performer began. For a newbie in theater, it’s everything one can imagine. He traveled to Bicol. The production had a rerun and a tour. The backstage is fantastic! The boys’ dressing room is a spa, and the girls’ dressing room is a cafe. “Sobrang saya! In my head, ‘Ganito ba talaga sa theater?! Ganito kasaya?!’ Of course, later on, I learned na hindi pala laging ganon. Hahaha! But during that time, it’s everything I ever needed to love theater even more,” Phi recalled.
In his 10-year career in the entertainment industry, Phi lists down the milestones and key learnings in his career.
“In 2018, I was able to do a movie, a series, and a theater show. Basically, all media except print. The film ‘My 2 Mommies’ was showing, while ‘Since I Found You’ was airing on ABS-CBN while I was doing ‘Rak of Aegis’ on stage. And at one point, it’s all happening simultaneously. Naisip ko, shucks! Wala kayong takas sa ganda ko kasi kahit saan, nandun ako: may entry ako! Haha! It happened once again in 2022, only this time, nadagdagan ng streaming. ‘Mula sa Buwan’ onstage, ‘Mula sa Buwan’ in cinemas, ‘Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss,’ and ‘Doll House.’ Parang kailangan ko ng magsulat para may entry na din ako sa print media next time! Haha!
“In terms of learnings, naniniwala pa rin ako to always do good work because at the end of the day, kahit anumang sabihin o gawing comments o paninira sa’yo, your work will defend you. Your work will speak for itself. At kasama sa trabaho mo ang pakikisama ng mabuti sa mga katrabaho. Do good work and also, protect the work,” Phi advised.
In most of the reviews of his creative outputs, Phi is always regarded as a scene stealer. Is he comfortable with that? He refutes and said, “Hindi ko naman sinasadya at effortless siyang nangyayari and also because it was never my intention to steal anything because ayaw natin sa magnanakaw. Kaya I appreciate reviews where the focus is on my ability to really tell the story. Sa casting, I’m quite aware na if they want someone to bring the house down by sheer wit and humor, I’m one of the first names that come to mind. If they need an intelligent best friend that will spew wisdom at the right time, I am that. And I am grateful for that Unique Selling Proposition (USP). Pero sana maisip din nila na I can also be quiet and still; and still be as effective. Actually, yun na sana yung mga next kong magawa.”
Phi is now blessed with two consecutive teleseryes: “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim” on ABS-CBN and “Widow’s War” on GMA. Plus, two plays, “Mula sa Buwan” (starting this August) and the newly announced musical based on Jonathan Manalo songs at the Newport World Resorts (summer of next year). How is he managing his hectic schedule so far?
“Ine-enjoy ko lang lahat ngayon,” Phi relates. “In “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim,” it’s really the Team Bida Best scenes! Ang saya saya lang. Para lang talaga kaming naglalaro. Kaya masaya ako that the audience felt our connection and our genuine rapport kasi ganun talaga. And memorable sakin na makilala si Kim Chiu. She’s really special. She’s a ball of sunshine and is such a genuine person. Masaya ako na most of my scenes are with her kasi I really get to experience her spontaneity, her contagious energy and laughter. I really hope that she finds the right person who will love and take really good care of her kasi sobrang deserve niya. Si Paulo Avelino naman, memorable kasi second time na naming magkasama and he’s still the same. Ang bango bango pa rin. Haha! May ginawa sa akin si Pau na ikinaiyak ko sa tuwa!
“Masaya din sa set ng ‘Widow’s War’ kasi laging out of town location namin. One time, lumibot sa mga tent sila Miss Jean Garcia at Rita Avila na may dalang microphone, tapos kanta-kantahan. Masaya kami sa set lalo na ngayon na ipapalabas na siya. People can expect a different flavor from me here kasi may action scenes ako. So, abangan! Hahaha!”
How about his return to theater work?
“What I’m really excited about is what Miko Angeles’ (our new director) vision for this restaging of ‘Mula sa Buwan.’ I worked with Miko twice already in both ‘Mula sa Buwan’ and ‘The Reconciliation Dinner.’ But on both prods he’s the assistant director (AD). I’m so glad that he’s finally given this chance to direct. I’m just so excited because as an AD he is really helpful and kita mo na meron siyang vision. He’s not merely a repetiteur, he is a director. Kaya super excited ako what he can bring to make this re-staging fresh.
“And this new musical by Jonathan Manalo to be directed by the hottest theater director in town, Sir Dexter Santos no less, how can you pass up this kind of opportunity? Also, it was offered by people whom I love and respect in the industry. Paano ka tatanggi? Plus, I’ve been singing the songs of Jonathan Manalo! Hindi ko na mabilang kung ilang beses kong ibinirit ang ‘Patuloy ang Pangarap’ at inadjust ang key ng ‘Pagbigyang Muli’ para i-Reginify bago pa nila idinuet ni Ate Reg. At ilang beses na akong hiningal makanta lang ang ‘Gusto Ko ng Bumitaw.’ Fan ba ako? Hahaha! But, I accepted the part mainly because it’s another opportunity to represent proudly. A few months ago, I met a theater student from UP. He told me na originally, he enrolled sa creative writing kahit gusto niya talagang mag-theater at umarte. He didn’t enroll sa theater arts kasi daw alam niya na wala namang mabibigay sa kanyang roles kasi femme at queer siya. Pero when he watched ‘Mula sa Buwan’ and saw me, he was inspired. The next sem, he shifted to theater arts. He’ll be graduating na. And I will be directing his thesis. What a full circle moment. So playing this character on a bigger stage would mean that somewhere in that big theater, there’s a gay kid watching thinking that he can’t be onstage. That there’s no place for him. Pero pag nakita na niya ako, iisipin niya, pwede pala. Pwedeng siya din magawa ito. I want to do it for them.”
