Edwin Reyes

"Cause you can look right through me; Walk right by me; And never know I’m there!” laments Mr. Cellophane in the hit musical “Chicago.”

The same sentiment must have been echoing in the hearts of many character actors, who work as hard as the headliners but don’t obtain similar applause from their audience.

When Edwin Reyes started in showbiz in 1981, he had all the potential to become the next big star. He had the look, the talent and connection – the whole enchalada so to speak.

Twenty-eight years later, his popularity almost didn’t wane, because it didn’t elevate either.

“I became an actor because of Mike (de Leon),” says Edwin. “Mike saw me at ABS-CBN studio.” He was introduced as the youngest brother of the late Hector Reyes, one of the contract stars actors of De Leon – owned LVN Films during its heydays.

“That time, he was casting for his next movie, ‘Batch 81.’ He readily took me to play as one of the neophytes,” he adds.

The only real star in the said movie was Mark Gil. The rest were all newcomers: Jimmy Javier, Rod Leido, Bing Pimentel, Dang Cecilio, Mike Arvisu, Vic Lima, Dodo Cabasal and Joe Jardy. Then, there were the able supports: Ward Luarca, Ricky Sandico, Sandy Andolong, Nanette Inventor and Noel Trinidad.

Edwin admits, his first film proved to be his best. “Highest na ‘yon. Best Picture eh. Before our shooting, we went through a 15-day acting workshop under Mike de Leon, Racquel Villavicencio and Charo Santos.

“Almost a year naming ginawa ‘yun eh. But I knew we were making a good movie. I was culture shocked. I even asked myself: Ganito ba kahirap gumawa ng pelikula? But I miss that experience because it was different. Mostly kasi ng ginawa ko after, action na eh.”

“Batch 81,” was first exhibited in the Directors’ Fortnight of the Cannes International Film Festival in 1982. Later, it was adjudged as Best Picture by the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP). Hailed as a cinematic masterpiece, it is now being preserved by the Asian Film Archive for its historical significance in the region’s filmography.

On De Leon, Edwin says, “Direk Mike is actually mabait. He’s just perfectionist. He’s a technical director. Talagang sumisilip sa camera ‘yan. Pati sa editing, nagbabantay. But he has mood swings. ‘Pag nagalit sa set, sisigaw ‘yan. Tapos, sisigaw ng ‘pack up.’ Artist talaga.”

After “Batch 81,” Reyes did “Kickouts.” Unfortunately, both movies didn’t become mammoth hits as earlier expected.

“I was in the corporate world before I joined showbiz. After ‘Batch 81,’ I worked for Jose Luis Yulo for almost a year. Then, an offer to do the TV series ‘Anna Liza’ came. I experienced yung I was taping the whole night, tapos at seven in the morning deretso sa opisina. Pagod na pagod ako.”

“I did not achieve my dream to become a solo lead actor,” he admits.

“Most of my films, grupo kami, like the ones with Bong Revilla: ‘Alega Gang’ (1988), ‘Celeste Gang’ (1985), ‘Manong Gang’ (1991). The camaraderie on the set was something, very enjoyable talaga.

“I don’t have a manager. Nabuhay ako sa pakikisama. Bong is like a brother to me. Before, halos tumira na ako sa bahay n’ya. Talagang halos everyday, magkasama kami, especially when he’s not yet in politics. Si Kuya Ipe (Philip Salvador), close din sa ‘kin.”

“Everyday in the movies is a challenge. You’re OK if you have a project. ‘Pag wala, hanap ka ‘uli to sustain the family’s needs. In my case, mahirap umasa kung sa pelikula lang. Moviemaking is just like a part-time job. Minsan, for one whole year, I didn’t have a movie project. That’s why it’s important to have a small business and a few savings. I and my wife have a small food business.

“I consider myself lucky because even if I didn’t become the lead star that I had hoped, I’m still here and I still have TV projects. Bakanteng two months, tapos may panibago na naman.”

But hey, a quick search on Edwin’s acting record showed that he had done more than 50 movie and TV projects in 28 years.

Asked on his secret for longevity in showbiz, he replies, “P.R. I see myself in the movies for as long as I’m needed. Ang kumukuha sa akin, mga kakilala ko din. Of course, talent also plays an important part. I consider Mike (de Leon) – because he was my first director, the late Abbo dela Cruz, and Laurice Guillen as my mentors.”

That’s not all, among his contemporaries in “Batch 81,” it’s only Edwin who still remains active in the business. Not bad at all for a B-lister, who appears to be more durable than the so-called A-list stars.

And with an excellent private life to boot, who’s complaining?

“I was so fulfilled when I had children – yung dalawang anak ko from a previous relationship. I have a 17-year-old son, Lance and my girl, Gertrude is 12 years old. I also have two stepdaughters.

“I can say that I am also happiest at present, kasi, kasama ko yung naging girlfriend ko 31 years ago. She was my girlfriend in 1978 but we got separated. Then, we met again in 1995. It turned out, she had married but it has been annulled. She was my first love. Tapos, suddenly, nagkita kami uli. We’re doing good. Okay naman ang buhay ko.”

(For comments, send e-mail to gypsybaldovino @yahoo.com)