Joel Torre Hopes to Star in a Film that Embraces PHL's Many Languages

"Isolated" star Joel Torre dreams of a film where characters speak in different Filipino dialects and languages as an authentic reflection of the country's cultural diversity.

- By Nathalie M. Tomada

"I hope we come up with a movie later on na iba't-ibang dialects, they're all in one... like a fraternity, na iba't-ibang klase so that we're able to embrace each other's cultures, we embrace each other's language, and nagpapakita yun na yan talaga ang Filipino," Joel said.

The seasoned actor, who stars in the Benedict Mique-directed and Viva Films-produced psychological horror "Isolated," shared that he's happy to see more regional representation in cinema, including through language, in recent years.

For one, he plays the Ilonggo father of Maris Racal's character in "Incognito." Their scenes are always trending on social media.

Praising Maris, he said: "She's not an Ilonggo but she's able to deliver (her lines) as a real Ilongga. Because she's from Davao, that's why."

What Joel appreciates most is how Ilonggo or any regional language is no longer used as a punchline. "Ay sus, nagpasalamat gyud ako sa mga Ilonggo (for making our scenes trend)," he said, stressing how it's "using the Ilonggo accent not as a means of comedy."

"Hindi siya (ginagamit) sa pagpapatawa. We're doing drama sequences, pero pasok siya. So I think people should stop looking at Bisayan accent or Ilocano accent or Kapampangan as a means of comedic effect," he further stressed.