FILMING 'CANDE' IN ILOILO SPARKS

JC SANTOS' DREAM TO DIRECT

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

JC Santos had to learn the Hiligaynon language for his role in the 7th Sinag Maynila entry “Candé” helmed by Ilonggo filmmaker Kevin Pison Piamonte.

“Cande” is direk Kevin's first full-length feature under ERK Film Production with Jobert Penaflorida and Rhea Penaflorida as executive producers.

According to the synopsis, the story follows a Filipino chef based in New York (JC as Timothy) who returns to his home in Iloilo and is confronted by grief, guilt and the ghosts of his childhood. The story reflects on how relationships are formed in one’s youth told through the lens of food, family and devotion to Nuestra Sefiora de la Candelaria (whom Timothy and his best friend affectionately call “Cande”).

The flick was inspired by direk Kevin's childhood set against the vibrant fiesta of his hometown. Central to the film’s themes are “friendship, memory and the quiet miracles of everyday life.”

As part of his preparation, JC underwent an online workshop for his Hiligaynon lines and worked with a language coach on set.

“He would listen to each of my sentences. And if something doesn’t sound right, we would doitagain,” he told The STAR in an email interview.

He likened the experience to learning a song. In his words, “Medyo creepy na ako nung nasa Iloilo ako kasi pinapakinggan ko yung mga tao kung gaano sila ka-relax while talking. Gusto ko kahit may ginagawa ako sa eksena, lumalabas lang sakin yung dialect. Kahit yung behavior na yun lang yung mahuli ko, happy na ko.”

The actor likewise admitted that preparing for the emotional scenes was the most challenging part for him.