CinemaBravo

What if Barbie Forteza and Joshua Garcia are paired in one romantic comedy project?

“If I’d be given a chance to create or direct a movie, tapos meron akong [ipagpapareha], gusto kong i-try si Barbie Forteza from GMA with Joshua Garcia [from ABS-CBN].”

(“If I’d be given a chance to create or direct a movie, and I could choose a pair, I’d like to try Barbie Forteza from GMA with Joshua Garcia from ABS-CBN.”)

That’s the dream pairing of emerging and award-winning filmmaker and educator Ken Leviste, who recently bagged the award for National Outstanding and Inspirational Educator of the Year at the recently-concluded Excellent Filipino Awards.

Leviste was candid and enthusiastic during a virtual interview with CinemaBravo, where he shared his wishlist and upcoming projects following the success of his short-film-turned-feature ‘Crushmates’.

RELATED: FEU Tech’s first mainstream film ‘Crushmate’: small budget, big success

“I would like to have them in a story [gaya ng] current situation [naming mga nasa] quarter-life crisis,” he said about what could be a pitch for Forteza and Garcia.

(“I would like to have them in a story like the current situation of those of us in a quarter-life crisis.”)

Leviste envisions a fresh and relatable storyline, drawing from personal conversations and experiences, aiming to explore the dynamics of young professionals facing life’s crossroads.

“Ayun kasi yung mga kuwentuhan naming mga barkada recently… Sila, mga gusto nang mag-resign… Parang it’s a good story for them. Pa’no kaya if two corporate slaves are dealing with this life and their quarter-life crisis… For example, pwede silang dalawang BPO workers or dalawang… nagtatrabaho sa mga firm.

(“That’s what my friends and I talk about recently… They want to resign… It seems like a good story for them. What if two corporate slaves are dealing with life and their quarter-life crisis… For example, they could be two BPO workers or two who work at firms.)

“I would like it to have Barbie Forteza and Joshua Garcia to test their chemistry… Favorite ko rin kasi sila sa mga recent kong napanood na mga show nila.”

(“They are my favorites from their recent shows.”)

What about Barbie Forteza?

Leviste expressed his admiration for Forteza’s versatility and natural charm, highlighting her recent work that captivated audiences.

“Matagal ko na siyang pinapanood since bata pa… Napakanatural nung pagiging kalog [niya]. She’s very charming in those types of roles… She’s versatile. Ang dami nang pinapasubok sa kanya na roles e, ng GMA e… Yung recent niya na favorite ko, yung ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’. She has a good performance there na nakakaaliw sa amin.”

(“I’ve been watching her since she was young… Her natural charm is very evident. She’s versatile. GMA has given her many roles to try… My recent favorite is her role in ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’. She has a good performance there that we really enjoyed.”)

What about Joshua Garcia?

On the other hand, Leviste praised Garcia’s natural talent and likens him to iconic actors, recognizing his growing opportunities and suitability for certain roles.

“Si Joshua naman, I see him as the John Lloyd Cruz of our time. Parang dati, di ba, yung mga iconic actor talaga na nag-e-emerge without [them even] trying. Dati, hindi masyadong napapansin si Joshua Garcia. No’ng napapanood ko sa Netflix yung mga dati niyang movie, no’ng hindi pa siya gano’n [kasikat], natutuwa ako na, ‘Ay, noon pala ang galing niya na pala.’ And deserve niya na he’s getting more opportunities kasi natural talaga yung acting niya. Bagay talaga sa kanya yung mga role na bini-best friend, yung role na mabait na kaibigan.”

(“Joshua, I see him as the John Lloyd Cruz of our time. Like before, iconic actors emerged without even trying. Joshua Garcia wasn’t that noticed before. Watching his old movies on Netflix when he wasn’t that famous yet, I was impressed that he was already good then. He deserves the opportunities he’s getting because his acting is very natural. He fits roles like the best friend or the kind friend.”)

On the current state of rom-com in the Philippines

From his perspective as a young filmmaker, who is fond of doing romantic comedy projects among other genres, here’s what he has to say about the current state of rom-com in the country:

“Nakakatuwa kasi it’s evolving, it’s developing. I have to admit, isa ako sa mga gustong mag-comment pag binabara yung Philippine cinema na ang pangit daw ng mga pelikula natin. But they should give it a try. For me, nakakatuwa na our rom-com stories are evolving and developing. Kasi, ever since na nag-pandemic, we are competing more [in] the globally competitive entertainment [arena like in] Netflix.)

“(It’s delightful to see how Philippine cinema is evolving and developing. I must admit, I used to be among those who defend our films from people who claim they were not up to par. But they should give it a try. For me, it’s heartening to witness the evolution and development of our rom-com stories. Especially since the pandemic, we are now competing more in the globally competitive entertainment arena, such as with Netflix.)

“Nakakatuwa na we are getting more good content like for example yung mga pinapanood ko ngayon sa TV: [gaya ng] High Street, Senior High pa lang, Linlang kina Kim Chiu at Paulo Avelino. And of course, yung mga recent Filipino films natin — lalo na yung one of my favorites na magkakaroon ng sequel ngayon… ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye.’)

(“It’s wonderful to see that we are producing more quality content. For instance, the shows I’m currently watching on TV, like ‘High Street,’ ‘Senior High,’ and ‘Linlang’ featuring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. And, of course, our recent Filipino films – particularly one of my favorites, which is now getting a sequel – ‘Hello, Love, Goodbye.’)

On receiving awards and staying humble

Leviste further detailed how his recent awards affect his life as an educator at Far Eastern University (FEU-Tech) in Manila.

“With this award, parang lalo akong na-motivate to inspire more of my students and to motivate them as well na go outside the classroom, na filmmaking is beyond the four corners of our classroom. Ayun nga, siguro mas mangha ako sa mga teacher na, I believe, mas passionate at mas motivational pa kaysa sa akin, pero kakarampot lang ang suweldo. Siyempre, alam ko yan dahil anak ako ng teacher, alam ko ang salady grade ng mga teacher natin.

(“With this award, I am even more motivated to inspire my students and encourage them to go beyond the classroom, that filmmaking is beyond the four corners of our classroom. I am probably more in awe of teachers who I believe are more passionate and motivational than I am, but who receive a very low salary. Of course, I know this because I am the child of a teacher, I know the salary grades of our teachers.)

“…For me, it’s a drive for me to push them more and to be a better professor for them. Kasi, hindi lang nila ako professor e. I could be also their mentor and their guide towards this journey.”

(“Because I am not just their professor. I could also be their mentor and guide on this journey.”)

Leviste is driven by his recent recognition to further inspire and guide his students. He also remains grounded despite his recent accolades, attributing his humility to the lessons from his mentors and his experiences as a student.

“Actually, after those awards, mas maraming bumabati. If paano ko siya hina-handle, I just act the same as every day. Pag binabati nila, ‘Hi, sir! Congrats, sir!,’ ‘It’s nice meeting you!’ Ayun kasi talaga ang turo ko way back no’ng bata ako at ng mga naging professor at mentor ko to keep my feet on the ground. Mayabang kasi ako no’ng college kasi feeling ko matalino ako dahil scholar ako e! Pero those times… it really gave me a lesson na if you really stay on the ground… if hindi ka lumulutang sa ere, mas madali kang makakapaglakad sa journey mo. Isa yun sa mga natutunan ko at mini-maintain ko, lalo na, alam kong wala pa ako doon.”

(“Actually, after those awards, more people have been congratulating me. How I handle it is, I just act the same as every day. When they congratulate me, ‘Hi, sir! Congrats, sir!,’ ‘It’s nice meeting you!’ That’s really what I was taught when I was young by my professors and mentors to keep my feet on the ground. I was arrogant in college because I felt smart since I was a scholar! But those times taught me a lesson that if you stay grounded… if you don’t float in the air, it’s easier to walk your journey. That’s one of the lessons I learned and maintain, especially knowing I’m not there yet.”)

Jun Sabayton’s advice: ‘Wag na wag kang magiging Darryl Yap’

During the awarding ceremony, actor-comedian-director Jun Sabayton had a piece of advice for Leviste:

“Sabi sa akin ng isang direktor, si Sir Jun Sabayton, no’ng awarding namin, ang sabi niya sa akin no’ng pagkapanalo ko, ‘Wag na wag kang magiging Darryl Yap.’ Yun yong sabi niya sa akin… Nagulat ako. Sabi ko, ‘Opo, I promise…’ Parang na-gets ko agad… Isa yun sa mga pinanghahawakan ko ngayon.”

(“A director, Sir Jun Sabayton, said to me during our awarding, when I won, ‘Never ever become Darryl Yap.’ That’s what he said to me… I was surprised. I said, ‘Yes, I promise…’ I kind of understood immediately… That’s one of the things I hold onto now.”)

What about Darryl Yap?

“Ang ganda ng premise ng bago niyang movie [na Seoul Meyt], pero ang pinakauna kong napanood sa kanya, yung pinakauna niya, yung Jowable. Isa siya sa mga naging idol ko noong college ako e. Yung mga short skits niya na ang gaganda ng mga batuhan ng linya [gaya sa] KPL.”

(“The premise of his new movie [Seoul Meyt] is good, but the first one I watched from him, his very first, was Jowable. He was one of my idols when I was in college. His short skits had great dialogues [like in] KPL.”)

Driving him to improve his craft and learn from others, Leviste expressed motivation and excitement from the increasing recognition of his peers.

“Mas namo-motivate ako lalo. More and more of my peers are getting more exposed… Mas nae-excite ako na mas kilalanin sila, kasi I would like to know how they handle this, how they handle that. Kas, ako rin mismo, kahit may kaunting experience na, minsan hindi ko rin alam kung paano [ang] gagawin: paano makakakuha ng grants, paano gagawa pa ng mas magandang kuwento. That’s how I feel. I feel more excited and more motivated kasi dumadami kami.”

(“I am even more motivated. More and more of my peers are getting more exposure… I am more excited to get to know them because I would like to know how they handle this, how they handle that. Because, even with my little experience, sometimes I don’t know what to do: how to get grants, how to create better stories. That’s how I feel. I feel more excited and more motivated because there are more of us.”)

Next project: ‘Fly High’

Leviste’s next project, ‘Fly High,’ is in development, aiming for a late 2024 release, with decisions pending on its distribution platform, showcasing his continuous drive to create and direct new stories.

“After ng pagkapanalo [ng] ‘Crushmate’, one entertainment agency invited me to create a digital series for them. Gusto nila, high school naman. They have [up-and-coming] talents, then ako daw [ang] gumawa ng istorya at magdirek nito. ‘Fly High’ is a digital series na binubuo namin. Right now, we are developing its script. Ang target naming production ay late June-early July. And to be launched, hopefully soon, bago matapos ang 2024.

(“After winning with ‘Crushmate’, one entertainment agency invited me to create a digital series for them. They want it to be about high school. They have [up-and-coming] talents, and I will create the story and direct it. ‘Fly High’ is a digital series we are developing. Right now, we are working on its script. Our target production is late June-early July. And to be launched, hopefully soon, before the end of 2024.

(“So, sa ngayon, pinagdi-decide pa rin kung hanggang saan ang scope ng budget: for YouTube or we could go further na pwede kaming umabot ng streaming level ng Netflix or iWant. Pero sa producers’ side na yon.”

(“So, right now, we are still deciding on the budget scope: for YouTube or if we could go further and reach the streaming level of Netflix or iWant. But that’s up to the producers.”)

As Ken Leviste continues to inspire both his students and the film industry, his commitment to storytelling resonates deeply. He envisions himself not just as a director but also as a mentor, guiding the next generation of filmmakers. Through his innovative projects and dedication to pushing creative boundaries, Leviste is a name to watch in the local cinema landscape. Here’s to the continued success of this emerging filmmaker, whose future endeavors promise to captivate and inspire.