Eight years after “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” captured hearts, JC Santos is once again stepping into the shoes of Fidel for the sequel “100 Awit Para Kay Stella,” alongside Bela Padilla. But this time, the role carries even more weight for him—not just as an actor, but as someone who’s learned the real-life impact of portraying a character with a speech impediment.
Fidel’s “three-word rule” in the first film wasn’t just a plot device; it mirrored the daily struggles of people with speech defects. For the sequel, JC worked closely with an actual association for people with speech impairments, even filming scenes with them. The experience turned personal when one man approached him on set.
“‘Kumusta ka? Napanood mo ba ‘yung unang pelikula?’ I asked,” JC recalled. “Sabi niya, ‘Kuya, ito ‘yung nagbigay ng confidence sa akin nung napanood ko kaya ako nakakapagtrabaho.’”
It was a moment of affirmation JC didn’t expect. “Sabi ko, ‘Sana naman tama ‘yung ginagawa ko. Baka insensitive na ako.’ Sabi niya, ‘Sir, lahat ng ginagawa ninyo noong panahon na iyon, ako iyon.’”
That conversation cemented his belief in the power of accurate, respectful representation. “It made me realize na kapag tama ‘yung representation mo, you can actually change someone’s life. That’s bigger than any award,” he said.
Still, returning to Fidel after eight years was no walk in the park. “Emotionally, ang hirap balikan. Every scene, sumasakit ulo ko—thinking about the three-word rule, the heavy emotions, his insecurities, the camera, and the direction of Direk Jason Paul Laxamana. It’s one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever done.”
