De Leon's Juggling Act

Christopher de Leon visited New Zealand in May this year. The de Leon’s are Thelina’s good friends (from her time in Manila). Over dinner at her house in St. Heliers, Christopher talked about ...

Family, career, politics and environment.     A JUGGLING ACT

THELINA: When and how did you start in showbiz?

CHRISTOPHER: I started at the age of 18 and did my first movie entitled “Tinimbang ka ngunit kulang”. And that movie helped me win the Best Actor award at the age of 19.

THELINA: Was there any pressure as both your parents are in the industry as accomplished actors?

CHRISTOPHER: Yes, people think it is easy for children of famous actors to be in showbiz ... it’s easy to enter the business but difficult to stay on and prove your talent. People will always compare you to your parent and that will make it difficult.

THELINA: Which movie was your biggest hit?

CHRISTOPHER: There are so many … oh its “Bituin walang Ningning” with Sharon Cuneta.

THELINA: Yes, I remember that movie! It’s a great movie. You and Sharon were very good together. My favorite leading ladies for you are Vilma Santos and Lorna Tolentino.

CHRISTOPHER: Yes they are very good in drama.

THELINA: So what’s keeping you busy now?

CHRISTOPHER: I just finished the movie “Sa Iyo lamang” with Lorna Tolentino and Bea Alonzo. And I’m now doing a teleserye ‘Kaptain Barbell’ where I play Nero, a villain. And Kaptain Barbell is played by Richard Gutierrez. I also just finished ‘Catch Me ... I’m in Love’ where I play the father of Gerard Anderson. I play the 16th President of the Philippines. Sarah Geronimo is the lead star in the movie.

THELINA: You come from a family of good actors and actresses, will any of your children follow your footsteps in show business?

CHRISTOPHER: My son Gabriel made his first appearance in ‘Maalala mo kaya?’ recently, which I directed. He did a very good job and I can see that he will do well. He also sings very well like his father.

THELINA: You are also in politics at the moment?

CHRISTOPHER: Yes I won as Senior Board Member of the 2nd District of Batangas and also the Chairman of the Environmental Protection Commit-tee, and Vice Chairman of Tourism and Arts and Culture.

THELINA: That’s a lot of commitments for you. How do you divide your time between the movies and politics.

CHRISTOPHER: Its hectic I know, but somebody has to do it, right? Well I spend at least two days in Batangas as every Wednesday is our session so I have to be there. Then I have to be back in Manila for my taping which takes two to three days of my time. And aside from that I still have some shows where I sing with a band.

THELINA: With such a hectic schedule, how do you take care of yourself and stay so fit and young?

CHRISTOPHER: Thanks you for the compliment! I have a room in my house that I’ve made into a gym/theater. It’s complete with gym equipment, big screen TV and music. I work out there when I am free so in that way I am still home and can spend quality time with my beautiful wife Sandy and children. When I am in Batangas for my work, my family come with me and we stay in our Batangas house to relax. I’ve been a professional scuba diver for many years now. So Sandy and I go diving when we can. And basketball! I like playing basketball with my friends in the industry as well.

THELINA: Do you have any plans of retiring in the near future?

CHRISTOPHER: No! I will never retire from showbusiness. I love my job and I will always be doing movies for as long as people want me. And I’m just not acting in movies, I produce and direct movies as well.

THELINA: And as for your political career, are you aspiring for a higher position come election time? And tell us about what you do as Chairman of the Environ-mental Protection Committee?

CHRISTOPHER: I was born in Manila but I grew up in Batangas. So I consider myself a batangueno. I like to entertain and serve people so I guess that’s why I’m successful in my movie career. I accepted the position as Chairman of Environmental Protection Committee so I can help keep our environment clean, especially our beaches. In Batangas we educate the fishermen and the people to take care of their beach and only fish the legal way. No to dynamite fishing and small fishing. We make sure the people clean up their beach to encourage more fish and shellfish for their livelihood. I always tell them, GOD created such a beautiful world and we owe it to him to keep it clean so we can all benefit from it.

THELINA: How do you spend your holiday here with your family. And how do you find New Zealand?

CHRISTOPHER: New Zealand is very beautiful, I sleep very well here and I’m so rested especially at night, the only thing I can hear is the ticking of the clock! It’s so quiet! The food is so fresh, the wine is so good, the air is so clean … you are lucky to live in this country Thelina. We only had two weeks to spend here in New Zealand because both Sandy and I have work waiting for us back in Manila. My family and I rented a boat and went fishing in Orewa. We had so much fun, we caught around 12 big fish (snappers, karawai) and a baby shark that we just took a photo of and released it back in the water. We went to Matakana for lunch at a nice vineyard … so beautiful. Like I said to my friends, New Zealand is like a big golf course, the grass is always green and well maintained by the cows and sheep. Ha! Ha!