Even though other actors such as Sid Lucero and Coco Martin have had a head start in the local indie movie scene, Lance Raymundo is proving himself to be the dark horse that just might head the race for the Prince of Indie Movies title.

This Lance does with his riveting portrayal of a drug addict in the 2009 Cinemalaya Film Festival entry, “Ang Nerseri.”

Screened to a standing-room-only audience at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 24, “Ang Nerseri” also stars Jacklyn Jose, Alwyn Uytingco, Tony Mabesa, Timothy Mabalot, and Claudia Enriquez.

In an interview, Lance downplayed the comparison, adding that it’s not for any actor to claim the title for himself.

“Everyone has his own opinion on who has the right to that title and each opinion is as good as the other,” he said. “For me, getting titles should not be the motivation behind a career; I’d rather do a good job of every role I get than to be unwarrantedly called prince or king.”

To prepare for his role in “Ang Nerseri,” Lance consulted with a psychologist and interviewed former drug addicts.

“I asked people in the ‘Ang Nerseri’ set who among them had dabbled with drugs. Some were honest enough to have come forward so I was able to learn the profile,” said Lance.

He also drew inspiration from his co-stars, most notably veteran actress Jacklyn Jose for whom he is all praises.

“Our shooting days could have been longer but Jackyln was so good that halos lahat ng scenes niya, puro take one. Needless to say, I learned a lot from her,” he said.

Lance belied rumors that he had not yet been paid for his services in “Ang Nerseri.”

“That’s not true. I was paid on the spot, cash.

“Besides, when an actor commits to doing an indie film, he automatically detaches himself from the financial aspect. Pag indie kasi, limited talaga ang budget kaya ang pinaka-pay back na for us is yung recognition that we get if we do our job well.”

The actor denies that he is planning to take up sexy roles in the future for the sake of making a bigger name for himself.

“Di naman ako nagmamadali so bakit ko gagawin yon? There have been many offers for me to go sexy in a film, but I turned these down. I did so not because of personal beliefs or morals, but because I am script-driven actor. Pag gusto ko ang script at ang role, I will do it kahit na ano pa ang requirements,” he said.

Even if it requires doing kissing scenes or love scenes with a man?

“Basta pumayag ang manager ko at maganda ang at kailangan sa istorya, oo, walang problema.”

“Ang Nerseri” tells the story of Cocoy (played by Mabalot), a 12-year-old boy who is tasked to take care of his dysfunctional family while his mother is away. In the process, Cocoy faces the truth and life, even as he fights for his own sanity.

Since shifting from singing to an acting career in 2008, Lance has become a favorite in the indie movie scene.

The actor has played important roles in “Motorcycle,” a 2008 Cinema One Originals finalist; “The Forgotten War” alongside Baron Geisler and Yul Servo; and “Panahon Na” which had a special screening in Boston, USA.

Lance is in the thick of shooting for the forthcoming films, “Fidel” under Piperstorm Productions, “Fling” with Rafael Rossell, and “Sa Yo Pa Rin” with Toni Gonzaga, Joem Bascon and Soliman Cruz.

His manager Charlotte Dianco has also closed a deal for him to be cast in two ABS-CBN teleseryes.