THE subjects in this week’s column have gained the respect of the people in the local entertainment industry because of their powerful acting skills, indefatigable commitment to their craft, and their uncompromised professionalism. They might not get the highest talent fees because of the prevalent star system, and are oftentimes underrated, but for producers and directors they are reliable. As for their peers and coworkers, they serve as both inspiration and examples of what true and intelligent actors are supposed to be.

We also considered work attitude and personalities here.  Those included in the list often exemplify frankness without the arrogance. They are those who are not afraid to ask in order to understand their roles better, and they do not demand unreasonably. They study their scripts and prepare for their roles. They are often the most secure talents because they do not camouflage their insecurities by being loud and boorish. They are quiet and reflective on the set, and do not make noise just to be noticed. They can be assertive but not aggressive. Unlike most stars and starlets, they are not complicated.

And most important, they deliver, oftentimes more than what their directors can comprehend. They are often cast as support actors, but they are the true backbones of every project.

Nonie Buencamino. A favorite of many directors, Nonie first made critics take a second look at his capabilities as an actor in the Marilou Abaya film Milagros, then followed by Bagong Buwan. He has won numerous acting awards and has been recognized in the Asian TV Awards.

He never stops surprising film and TV audiences by his consistently credible performances. He is now seen on Bangis (TV5) and will soon be in Hiyas (ABS-CBN). Nonie has also forayed into theater, even flying to Singapore’s Esplanade for a successful run of A Little Night Music.

Ronnie Lazaro. Very down to earth, Lazaro has come a long way from the first time we took notice of him in Peque Gallaga’s Oro Plata Mata back in the ’80s. We see him regularly on TV, the latest of which was in the daily drama Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, where he essayed the role of a rebel. We liked his performances in the films of Lav Diaz, too. Recently, he wrapped up work for Brillante Mendoza’s latest film Prey.

Nova Villa. When we were growing up, Villa made us laugh in the weekly sitcom Chicks to Chicks. Very spontaneous and has perfect comic timing, Villa, currently seen on GMA’s top-rating Futbolilits, can also be effective as a drama actress. 

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino. Honored with a Best Supporting Actress plum at the just concluded Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for her heartfelt performance in Loy Arcenas’s debut feature film Niño, Shamaine shifts from television to theater to film with utmost ease and consistently gives credible performances.

Among her more recent works, we liked her best in Atang, The Musical and we were blown away by her performance in Jay Altarejos’s Ang Lihim ni Antonio. She is preparing for a new daily drama on GMA after appearing on Captain Barbell.

Shamaine recently traveled to far, far Ireland to star in a monologue called Tu Dulce Extranjero, inspired by the writings of Dr. Jose Rizal. A mother of four children, Shamaine is the loving wife of thespian Nonie Buencamino.

Ian Veneracion. His star first shone brightly as a child actor in Joey & Son, and Veneracion has never turned his back from show business despite being a pilot and an abstract artist. His peers say that he is so easy to work with, and maverick film and TV director Dante Garcia describes Veneracion as one of the few really intelligent actors, remarking, “All Ian needs is one big important role in the movies to blow everyone away!” Veneracion will be next seen in the Philippine TV version of the hit Mexican telenovela Maria la del Barrio on ABS-CBN.

Mylene Dizon. Fierce and fabulous are two words that best describe Dizon. Usually typecast as the modern strong woman, Dizon showed true grit when she played fragile and vulnerable in the latest restaging of the drama classic Mara Clara on ABS-CBN.

Her best performance came by way of Chris Martinez’s 100, an indie film that gave Dizon three Best Actress recognitions. A mother of two lovely boys, Dizon is now in a happy relationship with band member Ira Cruz.

Alan Paule. One of the late great director Lino Brocka’s last cinema babies, Paule endeared himself to film aficionados in the film Macho Dancer. He has since grown so much on both the big and small screens, and has even ventured into theater. He also got the nod of the critics in Carlitos Siguion-Reyna’s Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya, where he gave one of his most stellar performances.

We sincerely wish that Paule will finally be honored with an acting award, a dream that has remained elusive despite the more than a dozen nominations he has already received in his almost 20 years of being an actor.

Mon Confiado. Confiado is one of our most hardworking actors. He is currently seen in GMA’s top-rating Amaya but he still manages to squeeze in time for independent movies, sometimes acting on three to four projects at the same time. Although he doesn’t really need to work that hard anymore, since his business ventures have become successful, Confiado once told us that he gets a different kind of satisfaction when he is acting.

Mercedes Cabral. She has been quietly doing the country proud for some years now. She was once voted as the most beautiful woman at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008, when the Brilliante Mendoza film Serbis was in competition. She continues to make time for indie movies, the latest of which is Eric Salud’s Ligo na U, Lapit na Me.  She was also brilliant in Gayuma, where she garnered a Best Actress nomination from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. On the TV front, Cabral will soon be seen regularly in Hiyas.

Simon Ibarra. Ibarra had a simple, quiet life in Canada before he was lured into acting. He won a modeling competition in Canada (where actress Cherry Pie Picache and talent manager Ed Instrella sat as judges) and part of his prize was a trip to the Philippines. He was immediately cast in the controversial Joey Reyes film Live Show and garnered a Best Actor nomination in the process.  Ibarra continues to excel in supporting roles both on TV and film, and he is almost always generous to help new filmmakers.

Pen Medina. Medina is not only a very good actor but he is also a very competent teacher of acting. Medina currently gives workshops to upcoming actors. His most recent win as Best Actor came by way of Layang Bilanggo for the Cinema One Independent Film Festival.  He can be seen regularly on TV, playing an important role in Guns and Roses.

Tessie Tomas. A former advertising executive, Tomas has conquered television, theater, film and the comedy stage with effortless chutzpah. Her take on Imelda Marcos has become a classic, and she even had stints with foreign productions. She also supports the indie filmmaking industry, having given so much of herself in films like Milo Sugueco’s Sanglaan and Chris Martinez’s 100. She did the series Noah opposite Piolo Pascual and can be seen in Bangis on TV5 at the moment.