ENZO PINEDA has cultivated a wholesome image since he won as first runnerup in Starstruck 5. But now, he goes s3xy in the Cinemalaya entry, “Malamaya”, doing steamy love scenes with Sunshine Cruz with whom he gets involved in a May-December affair. “I’ve come to a point that I feel I’m ready to show that I’m really an actor,” he says. “Tama na yung good boy roles. I have to explore and extend my horizons.”

Is this is the most daring role he has done in his career? “Yes. I’ve done print ads in my underwear but this one, pelikula talaga, e. I don’t know what my parents will think when they see the movie. I informed them about it at sabi ko, artistic naman ang pelikula at hindi vulgar. May scene na I’m shown butt nak3d.”

How did he prepare for his role? “When I read the script pa lang, na-excite ako. This is for Cinemalaya and, as an actor, I felt I should be ready kahit anong mangyari. I have to give what is or may be even more of what’s expected of me. Nag-work out din ako nang husto kasi alam kong may nude scenes ako and I know payat ang legs ko so I did more leg work outs.

He discovered it’s not easy to do s3xy scenes. “I told Sunshine nga, ang hirap pala nito. At first, I was so confident. But as the shooting went on, ang daming takes, paulit-ulit, so slowly, nako-conscious na ako. When I look back now, I feel that buong kaluluwa ko, I exposed in the movie. And when it enters my mind, sabi ko, ‘Grabe, nagawa ko ba talaga yun?’

“Marami talagang nakita sa’kin kasi may scenes na palakad-lakad ako, wala akong suot.  Minsan, wala na akong pakialam. I mean, nandun na rin lang, di gawin ko na nang hindi nagkakahiyaan. I reminded myself that if I want to be recognized as a good actor, I should have no limitations and be open to this type of roles kasi part yung ng job ko bilang artista.”

How is it working with Sunshine? “Wala akong mairereklamo. Very open, very professional. Napakabait niyang tao, very sweet and she helps me a lot. Kasi mas may experience na siya sa’kin as an actor, she helps in calming down kapag napi-feel niyang masyado na akong nape-pressure. The truth is crush ko siya noong bata pa ako. So when I was told I’ll work with her, sabi ko, dream come true for me na makakatrabaho ko ang isang Sunshine Cruz. It’s a pleasure working with her.”

He likes his role as Migs. “He’s a struggling artist, aspiring photographer, very adventurous. He’s been in different relationships and he wants to explore kung ano pa ang puede niyang ma-try sa buhay. I have to transform myself to be that kind of guy na Sunshine would appreciate.”

How did he prepare for the love scenes? “I did a lot of research, watched a lot of movies with love scenes, para malaman ko how they do it. What looks good on camera and what I should avoid. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of effort, but you should make it appear effortless on screen, natural lang.

“Actually, kinakabahan ako during the love scenes, so sa bahay pa lang, I already psyche myself up for me to gain confidence at mabawasan yung kaba ko kapag nasa harap na ako ng kamera with Sunshine. But I wish viewers would see that this is just not a s3xy movie. It’s about the life of an artist, si Sunshine, who’s a visual artist in UP Diliman, her struggles, the challenges she faces in her career and in her life.”

How are their new directors, Danica Sta. Lucia and Leilani Chavez? “I enjoyed working with them as they’re both very open. They know what they’re doing. They collaborate with their stars and ask for your suggestions. I trusted them kasi ever since naman, I’m a good team player. Kung ano ang ikagaganda ng isang movie or TV show, gagawin ko sa abot ng makakaya ko.”

“Malamaya” will be shown as an entry in the Cinemalaya from August 2 to 11 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and in selected cinemas, with Gala Night on August 6 at CCP, then it will have a commercial run starting August 14 nationwide.