There’s no use trying to trick the author Bob Ong (a pseudonym) into revealing anything about his real identity. He just won’t. But that doesn’t mean he won’t talk about other things. This morning we chatted with him on Facebook, ahead of tonight’s premiere of Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin, a movie based on his book about the OA factor of mainstream Pinoy movies.
It’s been two years since we last spoke. Save for the new movie adaptation of your book, what else is new?
Iginagapang ang pagbabalik sa non-fiction na hindi umabot ng 2015. Sana magkaroon ng katapusan.
Ooh, non-fic! Is it okay to ask what’s it about?
Ang totoo, ayokong nagpapakita ng “drawings” ko hangga’t hindi pa tapos ang “coloring”. Pero bilang idea, ito ay “manual para sa kabataang Pinoy”.
We thought the trailer for the movie was hilarious. Have you seen it?
Nakakatuwang nagustuhan ng mga tao yung trailer, at sana pati yung pelikula. Pero parang hindi ito yung libro. Nagkaroon ng dalawang version yung kuwento…na ayos na rin para dalawang beses nilang masaksihan ang Lumayo.
What do you mean by two versions?
He-he. There were adjustments, siguro para maging movie. Pero baka kinakailangan ‘yun para maging mas effective yung adaptation. Mga manunuod ang makakapagsabi. Ang mahalaga ay iisa ang mensahe ng libro at pelikula pagkatapos ng end credits.
Based on Lumayo, is it safe to say you’re a big movie fan?
I am. As with music, I like all types of movies. Genres have their times. Drama was good in the early ‘90s, action came on the second half of the decade. Superheroes reigned in 2010s, CGI animation prior to that…I like them all for entertainment, though I think drama tells about ourselves and life in general so much more so I find it most interesting.
How about Tagalog movies?
Hard as it is to find copies, I’d like to see our martial law bests. It’s actually only recently that I’ve watched Maynila sa Kuko ng Liwanag. And thanks to ABS-CBN, I have just secured a restored version of Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon. Yes, I bought the DVD to support the cause.
Can you tell us who your favorite actors are?
Dolphy and Chiquito. I’d bring DVDs of their movies if I’d have to live on Mars.
Did you see any of the movies from the last MMFF?
I didn’t get to watch anything from this year’s MMFF. As I’ve said on another interview, it’s no use addressing the ills of MMFF because the entire thing is a wrong concept. It’s one big bad idea. Filmmakers aren’t happy, the viewers are not happy…I don’t know who is and what it is serving.
Have you considered playing a cameo role in any of your movies?
Like Stan Lee? He-he, nope. One funny trivia, though, I think I annoyed the camera men big time on the premiere night of ABNKKBSNPLAko?! Because they were supposed to shoot the movie stars coming in but I didn’t know I was blocking the view! It was like a scene from a Dolphy movie and I’m still laughing about it now.
Of course, they didn’t know it was you.
No, just a highly annoying photobomber.
How does it feel like to watch a movie based on your book?
There was a scene in ABNKKBSNPLAko?! where I got a bit emotional. It was surreal seeing a part of your life on the big screen. That was some experience. I’m able to, but it’s not easy to, detach myself from the story. There’s this built-in mechanism that automatically compares the interpretation with the source material. It helps to watch the movie in theaters because the audience’s response is infectious, it allows you to be just one of them and enjoy the movie for what it is.
What film genre have you had too much of already?
Action. Even in Hollywood. I can forgive the other genres, but the clichés in action movies are most painful because they ruin all the wham bam fun you’re hoping to get. It diminishes the movie to an episode of “Looney Tunes”.
Are you a full-time writer? If so, what’s your creative ritual?
Yes. I already ran out of rituals. I cannot write at the moment. I don’t know what to do with my life. If anything, I’d just suck all the ideas in and hopefully, the urge to write and excrete philosophies eventually mount to gigantic proportions that I’d get diarrhea of the mind and be able to write something useful to humanity regardless of my mood, surroundings, and circumstances.
Some people call it brain farts but because you’re more talented, we guess it’s right to call it diarrhea.
Lol. Fart won’t pay the bills.
Who would you vote for president in the upcoming elections?
I always vote and I definitely will. Though this is the first time that I still don’t know how to vote for, which is a sad thing.
How involved are you in your community? Volunteering, protesting, signing petitions, etc. Do you do that? What are your advocacies?
No community involvement because I cannot go into that half-heartedly, and I don’t want to go into that direction and give up my passion. I want to remain outside the system. I do have several advocacies, however, which I also try to squeeze into my (disorganized) life. The proceeds of every other book I write go entirely to charity. My involvement with the organizations and individuals I support also fuels my engine.
