Mon and Ynez: Estranged But Still Friends

“NO WE’RE not on again,” snappily replied actor Mon Confiado when asked if he and actress Ynez Veneracion have romantically reconciled.

The occasion of the inquiry was during a break from the one-act play “Ang Bangkay” at the Black Box Theater of Philstagers at Balic-Balic, Sampaloc, Manila recently.

Mon and Ynez were seated beside each other near the proscenium stage where the drama about a tyrannical elite embalmer who has incestuous intentions with her daughter was about to resume.

“Galing lang kami sa isang event at dumiretso na kami rito (We just came from an event and we proceeded here immediately),” emphasized Confiado.

“We are still very good friends,” he rubbed in.

The actor said that the producer, writer, actor and director of the play Vince Tanada invited them both to watch the play.

“Intresado akong mapanood ito. Kasi, sa pelikula tungkol dito, inalok na ako ni Vince na gumanap. At ‘yong role niya sa pelikula, ‘yong Don Segismundo, sa akin dapat ‘yon pero hindi ako pwede nung mga panahong ‘yon (I am interested to watch this one. Because in the movie version, Vince offered me to portray a part. That was the role of the patriarch. That was supposed to be mine but I couldn’t do it that time),” recalled Mon.

Although Confiado didn’t elaborate on Tanada’s offer, his intensity and credibility as an actor was considered at the time.

Mon, according to well-meaning observers and showbiz fixtures including critics, directors and producers, has all the making of a big star in the tradition of veteran, well-known and award-winning actors like Christopher de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Tommy Abuel, Cesar Montano, Aga Muhlach, Richard Gomez, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, John Arcilla, among many others.

Confiado himself is just waiting for the right break.

At the moment, he has done quite remarkable roles like playing Emilio Aguinaldo in three biopics, namely, “Heneral Luna,” “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” and “Quezon,” all of them TBA Studios’ outings.

He has just wrapped a major role in “Lilim” and finishing other important international film projects such as “Turncoat,” an American indie psychological thriller directed by Filipino-American Marcial Chavez with Italian actress Annaluisa Capasa, “The Golden Holiday,” a South Korean film and “Dito,” a Philippine-Japan co-production.

Yes, he wants to carry the torch being held by John Arcilla. 

“Kita mo naman ang nangyayari sa career ni John. Talagang pataas nang pataas, pabigat ng pabigat. Gano’n ang gusto kong mangyari sa ginagawa ko (Look at what is happening on his career. It’s really steadily going up, weighing heavier and heavier. That’s what I would like to happen with what I’m doing),” he opined.

That is why he doesn’t want to accept minor or guest roles sans significance on the totality of the narrative onscreen or that wouldn’t enhance his image and magnitude as an actor.

“Ayokong matali sa parang dekorasyon ka lang (I don’t want to be identified as a wallflower in a movie). I am done with those types of roles,” he confidently assured.

His decision comes from wisdom. “Sa akin lang na obserbasyon at desisyon ‘yon. Walang nagpayo (It’s only through observation and decision. No one advised me),” he qualified.

“How about your love life?” a question thrown to him.

He just smiled.

“How about girls?”

“Tapos na ako r’yan (I’m done with it),” he burst with a guffaw.

In a few minutes, “Ang Bangkay” had resumed and Mon was totally engaged in watching.

After the curtain call and everything had settled and the lights went on, Ynez smiled at us.

“How’s your love life?” a question directed to her.

“Wala (No one),” Veneracion replied.

“Pamilya lang. At mga guestings (Only family. And guesting on TV and films),” she added.

Like, Mon, she said they are still very good friends.

Confiado and Veneracion were living together for four years and had an on-and-off romance for seven years.

After Mon, she was in a relationship with the political kingpin from the south, Maguindanao Governor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu who sired her a daughter, Princess Keilah del Rosario.

At the moment, Mon and Ynes share the beauty of everlasting friendship.