(NI RONNIE CARRASCO III)

THERE seems to have a “dry spell” pagdating sa mga panoorin sa entablado kung saan ang bida ay si Jesus.

Taong 2015 pa nang muling maisadula (after one year) ang Martir sa Golgota with Lance Raymundo playing Jesus.

Year 2000 naman noong gampanan ni Noel Cabangon ang parehong papel sa Jesus Christ Superstar.

The most popular actor, however, to have essayed the role of Jesus sa teatro ay ang US-based nang si Mat Ranillo III in Kristo noong 1996.

We still distinctly remember our interview with Mat noong mga panahong ‘yon. Nagsilbi kasing panata niya ang pagiging Hesus all because of daughter had to undergo surgery anew.

Nalimutan na naming ang exact condition ng anak nila ng asawang si Linda Tupaz (nee), but it had something to do with the palate.

Dasal ni Mat na sana’y malampasan ‘yon ng anak, never mind if he had to make sacrifices himself. Baka raw dahil dito’y may milagrong maganap.

In both movies and TV, walang masyadong bilang ng mga aktor who have played Jesus. Kadalasan kasi, divine representation lang ‘yon na may liwanag with a hazy image. Nilalapatan din ito ng tinig, quite muffled, to make it sound it’s God performing a miracle set against a heavenly backdrop.

Samantala, mula mid-50s ay nagsimula nang gampanan ng veteran actress na si Ms. Gloria Romero ang role bilang Virgin Mary, a part which she has repeatedly played in many films.

Isang papel ‘yon which is right up Tita Glo’s alley. Upclose and personal naman kasi’y she’s the epitome of blessedness in a sinful world.

DA WHO?

Pasok ba ito for a Maundy Thursday item? You be the judge.

The story how this veteran actress (VA) kicked her smoking habit is kinda funny.

Kasamang nag-dinner sa isang posh resto ng aktres ang kanyang mga non-showbiz amiga, one of whom had a teenage daughter in tow. In-occupy nila ang isang exclusive room, the lone area where smoking was allowed (naroon kasi ang exhaust fan).

Siyempre, makaraang mabusog ang grupo’y masarap nga namang magkape at magyosi. The VA was the only one in the group who smoked.

Siniguro niyang may ashtray siya which she had earlier requested from the waiter assigned to their table. Hindi na rin niya kailangang humingi ng permiso from her female friends as they knew she was a certified “Sunog-baga Gang” member.

After the VA lit a stick at nakakailang buga pa lang ng usok, ay biglang nagdayalog ‘yung tinedyer na anak ng isa sa kanyang mga amiga, “Oh, the Virgin Mary is smoking!”

Halatang na-embarrass ang VA that she quickly snuffed out her cigarette na halos madurog ito sa babasaging ashtray.

Since then, the VA quit smoking.