ENZO PINEDA TAKES OFF ALL HIS CLOTHES FOR BEDSCENES WITH SUNSHINE CRUZ IN ‘MALAMAYA’
ENZO PINEDA has cultivated a wholesome image since he won as first runnerup in Starstruck 5. But now, he goes s3xy in the Cinemalaya entry, “Malamaya”, doing steamy love scenes with Sunshine Cruz with whom he gets involved in a May-December affair. “I’ve come to a point that I feel I’m ready to show that I’m really an actor,” he says. “Good boy roles are enough. I have to explore and extend my horizons.” Is this the most daring role he has done in his career? “Yes. I’ve done print ads in my underwear but this one, it’s really a movie, right. I don’t know what my parents will think when they see the movie. I informed them about it and I said, the movie is artistic and not vulgar. There’s a scene where I’m shown butt in 3D.”
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How did he prepare for his role? “When I read the script, I was excited. This is for Cinemalaya and, as an actor, I felt I should be ready no matter what. I have to give what is or may be even more of what’s expected of me. I also worked out really hard because I knew I had nude scenes and I knew my legs were thin so I did more leg work outs.”
He discovered it’s not easy to do s3xy scenes. “I told Sunshine, it was hard. At first, I was so confident. But as the shooting went on, there were so many takes, over and over again, so slowly, I became conscious. When I look back now, I feel that my whole soul, I exposed in the movie. And when it enters my mind, I said, ‘Wow, did I really do that?’ I really saw a lot because there were scenes where I was walking around, not wearing anything. Sometimes, I didn’t care anymore. I mean, it was just there, I didn’t do it without feeling ashamed. I reminded myself that if I want to be recognized as a good actor, I should have no limitations and be open to this type of roles because it’s part of my job as an artist.”
How is it working with Sunshine? “I have no complaints. Very open, very professional. She is a very kind person, very sweet and she helps me a lot. Because she has more experience with me as an actor, she helps in calming me down when I feel like I am under a lot of pressure. The truth is I had a crush on her when I was young. So when I was told I’ll work with her, I said, it was a dream come true for me to work with Sunshine Cruz. It’s a pleasure working with her.”
He likes his role as Migs. “He’s a struggling artist, aspiring photographer, very adventurous. He’s been in different relationships and he wants to explore what else he can try in life. I have to transform myself to be that kind of guy that Sunshine would appreciate. How did he prepare for the love scenes? “I did a lot of research, watched a lot of movies with love scenes, to know how they do it. What looks good on camera and what I should avoid. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of effort, but you should make it appear effortless on screen, it’s natural.
“Actually, I’m nervous during the love scenes, so even at home, I already psyche myself up for me to gain confidence and reduce my nervousness when I’m in front of the camera with Sunshine. But I wish viewers would see that this is just not a s3xy movie. It’s about the life of an artist, Sunshine, who’s a visual artist in UP Diliman, her struggles, the challenges she faces in her career and in her life.”
How are their new directors, Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez? “I enjoyed working with them as they’re both very open. They know what they’re doing. They collaborate with their stars and ask for your suggestions. I trusted them because ever since, I’m a good team player. Whatever makes a movie or TV show good, I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
“Malamaya” will be shown as an entry in the Cinemalaya from August 2 to 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and in selected cinemas, with Gala Night on August 6 at CCP, then it will have a commercial run starting August 14 nationwide.