Pacete: Batang X, a Negrosanon

Author: Ver F. Pacete
Column: Bacolod, Ver F. Pacete, Opinion, As I See It

TO someone studying at St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City Foundation at Hacienda Tinihaban, "Charles" is just an ordinary student. Only few know that Charles Justin Hilado is Batang X... that he is not from this planet. "Angelo" a.k.a. A.gel is an alien spy from planet Earthon. How did he become Batang X? This is how I see it...

Charles Justin or Jimboy was born on May 27, 1995. His mother Gerle happened to be our valued asset in the Tourism Office. Gerle can write, can handle press releases, can be a tour guide, can be an emcee... and she can even fix the moon. Her 4-year old Jimboy (1999) used to amuse us with his antics. He bombarded Panoy Corteza (our artist) with naughty and intelligent questions. Panoy would end up giving snacks to the boy.

As he grew older, people in the office noticed that he loved acting. He would crawl like a dog and sometimes would behave as if he was a cross breed of bat man or super man. He loved the rain but hated the early morning baths.

St. Francis of Assisi School provided Jimboy an opportunity to be a declaimer, a campus politician and a natural actor. His natural love to portray varied characters caught the attention of Principal Gustilo who made a recommendation to Micmic Abello Ledesma, the school administrator, that Jimboy be sent to attend Negros Summer Workshops at the University of St. La Salle. Jimboy enrolled in the acting workshop under Peque Gallaga's Children's Theater. Gerle had to raise more than P2,000 for the registration. It was hard-earned money but Gerle really wanted the best for her son. And, this is it!

Direk Peque saw a gem in Jimboy. He would do anything for the sake of acting. One day, Direk Peque talked to Jimboy, "I see a bright star in you. I am offering you a scholarship grant. Take any acting course." And that was the beginning of it all. Jimboy was admitted in teen-age acting for two consecutive years.

The years 2006 and 2007 made him the most wanted child actor for the Piaya and Crystal Piaya awards under Direk Borgie, Direk Michael, Direk Gabby and Direk Vince. Surprisingly, he was nominated for best actor award. He was made to play the role of God reincarnate, a slimy pickpocket, a prodigal son and even as teen-ager having a relationship with the maid whose sex rival was his own father.

His piaya appeal became sellable to the Negros directors and producers. Direk Jay Abello gave him a break in the film "Ligaw-Liham". He portrayed the role of a winner in a declamation contest and he did it with precision. Direk Chito Roño gave him a bit role in Maalaala Mo Kaya's "Sako". He was the double of Joshua Dionisio in a location shooting in La Castellana. Of course, Jimboy could not forget that scene. He was placed inside the jute sack to be tortured by Jay Manalo (Dionisio's on-screen dad) and the televiewers did not even saw his face. He really remembered that well!

Direk Peque brought Jimboy to Manila in August 2007 (until October) to shoot Batang X episode (with Joshua Dionisio as co-star) for ABC 5. Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes found Jimboy to be very versatile. "As if he was just playing!"

In the story, he was an alien spy from the planet Earthon who was commissioned by his headquarters to submit report for the possible invasion of the planet Earth. He loved the heroism of the Batang X Group. Later, he decided to be one of them.

Tapulanga Foundation, Inc. came up with its maiden movie project, "Namets", directed by Direk Jay Abello and Jimboy was given a saucy role as "animal lover boy" who lamented when his pets were butchered to feed his poor family. When the movie was shown at SM Cinema 1, Jimboy was well applauded.

He appeared in the movie of Direk Miguel Sevilla, "Cul de Sac" as the young Sam Milby who killed his father for battering his mother. He gets serious acting here but the director was very careful in putting criminal mind in the consciousness of our Jimboy.

And his recent film (to be released in 2009) is "Lumang Kahoy". This is another independent film wherein Jimboy has the role of a little boy but has been walking the surface of the earth for almost 2,000 years. He is smart and all-knowing. Well, we are reminded by the book, "The Little Prince". This time, his director is Pam Miras.

Let's hope and pray that our wonder boy from Negros Occidental will have bright future ahead of him in his search for his dream in the movie industry. Jimboy is an inspiration of Negrense little dreamers to fulfill their aspirations of making footprints in the world of make believe. Remember, only those who persevere are blessed.

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(December 18, 2008 issue)
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Source: Sunstar Daily