After being part of the Summer Metro Manila Film Festival entry Here Comes the Groom, Enchong Dee has been vocal about being grateful for the opportunity to star in the LGBTQIA themed family comedy.

Enchong plays the role of Junior, a soon-to-be-married guy who ends up exchanging souls with a transgender named Wilhelmina (played by KaladKaren).

“Gusto kong mag-thank you sa lahat ng nakasama ko sa pelikulang ‘to❤️ bawat isa na nasa likod at harap ng kamera. Hindi naging madali pero binigay natin kung anong makakaya natin.

“Lahat ng cast naging inspirasyon ko para gawin ang tama at ng may tapang. Lahat kayo panalo sa aking puso dahil alam ko yung hirap at disiplina na ginawa natin para dito❤️ saludo ako at respeto my generous co-actors❤️‍🔥👏🏼,” he shared in a recent social media post. 

Enchong also admitted he got star-struck by the presence of MMFF jury head Dolly De Leon during the awards night.

“Fan mode. Sobrang fan mode. Binigay ko na nga yung phone ko sa road manager ko kasi gusto ko magpa-picture sa kanya. I think yung pinaka-purpose ng Manila Film Festival is for us to encourage Filipinos to go back sa panunuod  ng pelikulang Pilipino,” he added. 

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With his co-star KaladKaren making history as the first transgender actress to be nominated and win in the Best Actress in a Supporting Role category in MMFF history, Enchong could not be any happier to be part of her movie acting debut and journey. 

“Lahat talaga naka-focus kay KaladKaren. Siya talaga. I think it’s a move forward. I think in Southeast Asia, hindi lang siya sa Pilipinas, if I’m not mistaken, she is the first transwoman to be part of a Best Actress [in a supporting role] category. Which is a big move for Philippine cinema. I believe she must and she can make it,” he shared.

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During his interview at the Summer MMFF awards night, Enchong also highlighted the role of his good friend Vice Ganda in helping pave the path for the LGBTQIA community in the local entertainment industry.

“Mas naramdaman ko yung importance, mas na-appreciate ko lalo si Vice kasi ang laki pala ng responsibilidad na binibitbit niya nung time niya sa [Metro] Manila Filmfest. Kailangan tumawa ng tao, kailangan ngumiti ng tao. Kailangan nila maramdaman na okay, for two hours kahit papaano nakalimutan nila na ang mahal mahal pala ng mga bilihin.

“Nagpa-block screening siya sa Gateway. Papalipad na siya ng Canada pero nag message siya sa akin na, ‘Gusto ko lang sabihin sa yo na I love you, sobra kitang mahal, and ininvite ko yung Little Ponies ko sa block screening.’ And I’m like, ‘I love you, thank you so much for the support.’ Kasi sobrang importante, parang may blessing na ng royalty ang Metro Manila Film Festival,” he revealed.

With the Summer MMFF still ongoing until April 18, Enchong hopes more people can watch and be entertained by their film.

“Sobrang worth it. Sabi ko nga, kung gagawa ako ng ganito, gusto ko itodo. Gusto ko ibigay lahat kasi kung hindi, katatawanan lang siya. Pero dahil binigay ko na talaga yung armas ko for the past 16 years I have been in the business, sabi ko it’s a perfect time for me to make myself into an interesting actor.

“My family was super supportive. Meron lang silang comment sa unang eksena kasi my parents are lay ministers so alam nila kung ano yung mga uniforms, kung ano yung dapat, yun lang (laughs),” he added.

Now that he is ready to do more roles that are outside of his comfort zone, Enchong also revealed that he would be open to doing more gay roles in the future, on one condition, “If the price is right. Consistent tayo diyan di ba?” he laughed.