There are so many personas that Martin del Rosario has become in his many roles on television and in the movies. He has done the full-blonde, men-kissing roles in ‘Born Beautiful’ and ‘The Panti Sisters’, the horned villain Prince Zardos in the live action TV adaptation of ‘Voltes V’, and as the boyfriend of a sexually-hungry half-human, half-bat vampire in ‘Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B’.
But the possibilities are endless for an actor who has the fire for new things in acting. There is one more platform that Martin del Rosario is ready to try in 2025. That is the world of stage plays.
However, his stage debut would not be conventional. He just accepted a role that may require him to show skin. In fact, and if it is necessary in the stage adaptation of the critically-acclaimed ‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan’ for him to perform in his entire nakedness, he is willing to do so.
‘Anino Sa Likod NgBuwan’ is a 2015 sexy political movie by Jun Lana. It is the big screen showcase of an award-winning play that Lana also wrote and released in 1993 which won the grand prize at the Bulwagang Gantimpala Playwriting Competition. The film version won Best Director for Lana and Best Actress for LJ Reyes at the Pacific Meridien International Film Festival in Russia. Reyes also went on to win a Gawad Urian Best Actress for the film and Lana took home a second Best Director trophy from the Kerala International Film Festival in India. The credentials of the material is unquestionable. This is exactly the reason why Martin wants to pour his all in his very first stage appearance, including getting ready for a possibility of a full frontal exposure.
The GMA Sparkle Artist Center talent has to caution those anticipating for his impending full monty moment though. As of this interview, they have not completed the full blocking and the lights direction of the play yet. It is still scheduled to premiere in two months or on March 1 at the PETA Theater in Quezon City.
When asked during the mall media conference of yet another TV series that is added in his filmography, ‘Lolong: Bayani ng Bayan’ where he will play a full-on soap opera villain, Martin shared that they have not finalized the setup of the most risky scene. He is referring to the near 15-minute continuous sex sequence between Luis Alandy and LJ Reyes. Martin confirmed that he will be naked. If full nudity is required, he responded: “Walang problema sa akin.”
It is not in the nudity that Martin is worried though. It is on how he can translate to the stage the passion and the lustfulness that is required from his character. ‘Mapusok talaga siya eh. In full display talaga yung desire to express all their emotions through sex,” he says referring to the much talked-about carnal display in the film. To note, the Hollywood Reporter referred to it as a “tense and taut drama oozing with sex, sweat and social chaos.”
The award-winning actor himself also downplayed the fact that the audience may just focus on his nudity. “Impossible na sa sex scenes lang ang focus nila kasi nagkabuhol-buhol ang story and sex dito. Hindi lang siya basta sex. May objective ang bawat character kaya nagse-sex. Sex as a weapon ba,” he shared. In terms of showing all those elements, being the 24th Asian Television Awards Best Leading Male Performance winner for ‘Born Beautiful’ (The Series), and the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Best Actor for ‘The Panti Sisters’, del Rosario has proven time and again that he has the depth to showcase them.
‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan’ will be directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio, formerly of Dulaang UP and the former associate artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino. With Martin del Rosario in the cast are Ross Pesigan (iWant TFC’s ‘Run To Me’ and ‘Call Me Tita’) and Elora Espano (‘Your Mother’s Son’, ‘Kalel’).
Stage fans can now purchase their tickets via Ticket2Me. The play will premiere on March 1, Saturday, at the PETA Theater Center.