Si Edu Manzano ang maituturing na Eddie Garcia ng kanyang henerasyon pagdating sa versatility at longevity sa industriya.
Sa edad na 70, nananatili siyang isa sa mga in-demand at versatile na aktor na kayang gumanap bilang bida o kontrabida, mag-drama, at magpatawa sa pelikula at telebisyon.
Kilala rin si Edu bilang mahusay na host ng mga game show, beauty pageant, at corporate events.
Isa siyang halimbawa para sa mga nakababatang artista dahil sa ipinamalas niyang propesyunalismo mula nang magsimula ang kanyang acting career noong 1980.
Sa edad na 70, napapanood pa rin siya sa tatlong programa sa telebisyon.
Ginagampanan niya si Ricardo Jacinto sa Sigabo, ang action-drama series ng TV5 at ABS-CBN na pinagbibidahan ni Coco Martin.
Siya rin si Mario Pinagpala sa A Secret in Prague ng TV5, at Matthew Buenaventura sa hit series ng HBO Max na Call My Manager!.
EDU MANZANO ON WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING
Sa panayam ng Cabinet Files, sinagot ni Edu ang tanong na: “What keeps you going?”
Sagot ng beteranong aktor: “At 70, I don’t think of myself as slowing down. I think of myself as becoming more selective about what deserves my time and energy.
“What keeps me going is that I still genuinely enjoy the work. I still feel excited when I receive a good script, walk onto a set and discover a character I haven’t played before.
"The moment you stop being curious that’s when you begin to grow old. So far curious pa rin ako at makulit pa rin.
“I’m also fortunate that producers and directors continue to trust me with meaningful roles.
"At my age, three shows at the same time is both a blessing and proof that there is still life after senior citizenship discounts.”
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EDU ON HIS THREE TV CHARACTERS
Tinanong din ng Cabinet Files si Edu kung paano niya ilalarawan at ano ang pagkakaiba ng kanyang mga karakter sa Sigabo, A Secret in Prague, at Call My Manager!.
RICARDO JACINTO IN SIGABO
“In Sigabo, I play Ricardo Jacinto, a powerful and authoritative man whose presence is connected to the conflict and tragedy at the heart of the story.
"He operates in a world where power, family and personal interests collide. He is controlled on the outside, but there are many things happening underneath."
MARIO PINAGPALA IN A SECRET IN PRAGUE
“In A Secret in Prague, I play Mario Pinagpala, the father of Mikoy [Enrique Gil]. He is closer to the Filipino family man, protective, grounded and deeply concerned about what happens to his children.
"The story may travel into romance, danger and international intrigue but Mario represents home and family."
MATTHEW BUENAVENTURA IN CALL MY MANAGER!
“In Call My Manager, I play Matthew Buenaventura, a senior talent manager who is polished, experienced and very good at handling other people’s careers, while keeping many secrets of his own.
"Matthew understands show business, but his personal life is far more complicated than he allows people to see."
Para kay Edu, si Matthew ang isa sa mga pinakanatatangi niyang ginampanan.
“Matthew was probably the most unfamiliar and at the same time, the most amusing.
"I have spent decades in show business as an actor and host, but playing the person on the other side, the manager putting out fires and managing egos, gave me a different perspective.
"For once, ako naman ang namomroblema sa artista."
Hindi rin madali ang pagsasabay ng tatlong proyekto, lalo na ang Sigabo at A Secret in Prague.
Saad ni Edu: “There is really no typical day when you are working on two productions. Some days begin very early and end very late.
"You study one character’s lines, shoot his scenes, then prepare yourself mentally for a completely different character and environment.
“Fortunately, the production teams coordinate the schedules carefully.
"I also make it a point to prepare ahead. I don’t want to arrive on the set still trying to remember which character I’m supposed to be.
"Mahirap nang tawagin akong Mario tapos sumagot ako bilang Ricardo.”
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EDU MANZANO ON WORKING AT 70
Lubos ang pasasalamat ni Edu dahil patuloy siyang tinatangkilik ng mga manonood. Para sa kanya, walang edad na pinipili ang pagiging aktor o alagad ng sining.
“It feels wonderful and honestly, a little surreal," sambit niya.
"In this business, you can never take anything for granted. One day everyone is looking for you. The next day, baka ikaw na ang naghahanap sa kanila.
“That is why I’m deeply grateful. These three shows are very different from one another, and they allow audiences to see different sides of me.
"More than simply being visible, what matters is that people are watching, reacting and enjoying the work.
“At 70, I’m not trying to prove that I can still compete with younger actors. I’m proving that experience still has a place and that a good actor should never stop learning, regardless of age.”
EDU’S SECRET TO LONGEVITY IN SHOWBIZ
Ano nga ba ang sikreto ni Edu sa kanyang matagal at matagumpay na career sa entertainment industry?
Sagot ng aktor: “Discipline, curiosity and the ability not to take myself too seriously. I try to look after my health, remain physically active and stay mentally engaged.
“I read, I listen and I observe people. Those things are important for an actor because our characters come from life.
“I’ve also learned to adjust. The industry has changed tremendously, from the way shows are made to the way audiences watch them.
“If you insist that everything should remain the way it was during your prime, mapag-iiwanan ka talaga. You have to respect the past without living in it.
“And perhaps the real secret is simple… show up prepared, know your lines, respect everyone on the set and don’t behave as if the entire production revolves around you.
“At 70, conserve your energy for the scene and not for unnecessary drama backstage,”
Bukod sa trabaho, binibigyang-halaga rin ni Edu ang regular na ehersisyo, pahinga, at peace of mind.
“I still try to exercise whenever my schedule allows it. At 70, going to the gym is no longer about trying to impress anyone. It is about being able to get out of bed the next morning without making sound effects.
“My idea of luxury has also changed. Luxury is having time for the people I love, enjoying a good meal, traveling when I can, sleeping well and waking up without rushing.
"It is peace of mind. It is being able to say no when something is not worth my time.
“Of course, I still enjoy nice things. Hindi naman kailangang magkunwari. But these days, the greatest luxury is having choices, good health, meaningful work.
“Whenever I have free time, I rest, exercise, catch up on reading, attend to my other commitments and spend time with family and the people important to me.
“At this age, time management is really energy management. You learn when to work hard, when to recharge and when to put the phone down.”
EDU MANZANO ON REWARDING HIMSELF
Tinanong din ng Cabinet Files si Edu kung ano ang reward niya sa sarili tuwing may natatapos siyang proyekto, kabilang ang talent fees niya mula sa Call My Manager, Sigabo, at A Secret in Prague.
Aniya: “I don’t automatically buy myself something expensive after every project. At 70, you realize that the best reward is not always something you can put inside a shopping bag.
“For Call My Manager, the reward was being part of a project I had wanted to do from the moment I saw the French original.
"Working with Erik Matti, Judy Ann Santos, Gina Alajar, RK Bagatsing, and the entire ensemble was already a gift.
"So far, wala pa akong dramatic purchase from the talent fee. Baka mas masaya ang accountant ko kesa sa akin.
“From A Secret in Prague, the best souvenir was the experience itself. New director, new concept and working with a younger generation of actors.
“For Sigabo, perhaps I’ll reward myself with a quiet trip, more time with family or something for the farm.
"But at this stage of my life my real rewards are good health, meaningful experiences and the privilege of continuing to do work that people enjoy.
“The talent fee eventually gets spent. A good role stays with you.”
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