iStyled: Martin Escudero and Kerbie Zamora aka Jigington for Manila Bulletin

Reel Bromance

Article By RONALD S. LIM

Photos by Elvie Caparas-Zamora

Styled by Jp Diche

Grooming by Eman De Leon

Hair by Aaron Cunanan

Clothes from Folded and Hung

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MANILA, Philippines — The word bromance gets used a lot these days to describe “any sort of affectionate interaction between two straight males.’’

If the easy rapport between “Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington” stars Martin Escudero and Kerbie Zamora were to be the gauge, a bromance is certainly brewing between them!

The two comfortably tease about sleeping over at each other’s houses, about the current state of Kerbie's seemingly perpetually-tousled hair, and the apparent ease with which Martin has slipped into the role of a straight man who turned into a very effeminate gay guy.

Of course, it's hard not to develop that kind of bond when the two of you have already gotten drunk on lambanog and made out for a scene that would eventually end up being watched by a nationwide audience and endlessly reblogged and reposted on sites like Tumblr and Twitter.

When fans already have a nickname for your onscreen pairing – “Jigington”, a mash-up of their characters' names, Remington and Jigs – the best thing to do is run with it.

“Ang ganda nung bonding namin kaya naging close kami lahat,” recalls the 21 year-old Martin Escudero. “'Yung eksena sa hagdanan ang pinakamahirap. Komplikado 'yung mga blocking niya.”

“Nag-lambanog lang kami before the scene. Pero masaya kami nang nairaos namin iyon,” adds 22 year-old Kerbie Zamora.

“Zombadings 1” is a critical and financial success, applauded during its premiere at the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and raking in more than P19 million since being shown over two weeks ago, accordingto Box Office Mojo. Both Martin and Kerbie say that the film's success was a pleasant surprise to them.

Both Martin and Kerbie are products of reality TV shows. Martin was a finalist in GMA-7's “Starstruck: The Next Level” while Kerbie placed fourth in “Be Bench/ The Model Search,” a reality show on ABS-CBN

Kerbie was content with modelling and finishing his degree in Tourism at the Centro Escolar University (CEU).

He had intended to become a flight attendant rather than an actor.

But “Zombadings” couldn't have arrived at a better time for the two.

While constantly cast in dramatic supporting roles on television, Martin was looking for something different.

Kerbie, in his own words, was doing nothing and wanted to be involved with something new.

“Modeling, tambay, inom. Walang plano talaga na umarte sa TV o pelikula. Kinuha ko lang 'yung role para sa experience. Blessing na rin siguro na dumating ito,” says Kerbie.

“Wala siguro sa itsura ko ang comedic role. Hindi siguro nila akalain na kayo kong mag-comedy,” explains Martin of the dearth of comedic roles on his resume. “Nagulat din ako dahil hindi ko inaasahan na magugustuhan nila 'yung gimik namin. Napakahirap gawin ang comedy, mahirap magpatawa.”

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Kerbie says that the chemistry between the two of them was instant. The two have only gotten closer since filming ended. They joke easily about each other (“Ang una kong nagustuhan kay Kerbie eh 'yung hair niya.”), and about

their roles (“Ang hirap kasi maging bading. Siya (Martin) lang ang may kaya nun.”). But more than just gaining a new friend, they say they have also gained a new understanding of the gay community from being part of “Zombadings”.

“Mas naiintindihan namin kasi nabuksan na 'yung topic about sa gays. Mas nalaman namin na palakaibigan ang mga gays, masarap kasama at magaling magpayo. Sila ang mas maliwanag mag-isip at mas open,” says Martin.

“Nirerespeto ko sila at mas nakikita ko na talented sila at creative. Hindi sila dapat i-judge dahil hindi mo naman sila kilala,” adds Kerbie.

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