Singer actor Lance Raymundo has done some better use for those muscles by appearing in indie films which showcases his other muscle. And put to good use it is! Lance Raymundo is working on 5 films like: Motorcycle produced by Cinema One Originals by John Red, with Jason Abalos and Jao Mapa; Desisyon produced by Star Cinema; Saya, a period film intended for Cinemanila and the Toronto and Vancouver Film Festival; Xenoa 2; and Fidel where Lance Raymundo topbills the film. Fidel is intended to be shown at next year’s Cannes Film Festival. Fidel, is an indie film based on the true story of a male OFW sensually abused by his Arab employer played by hot and hunky model John Hall! And the highlight of the film is a daring abuse scene with John Hall. Also starring in Fidel are Andrea del Rosario, Snooky Serna, Maria Isabel Lopez, John Hall, among others.

Lance Raymundo on his role in Fidel:

“There’s one scene na kailangang gawin para mas maipakita yung story. Sa movie kasi, he got * by this Arab, e, pero it’s done in a way na wala namang naagrabyado sa artista. Iyong Arabo was played by John Hall and pareho kami, both have modeling contracts na may mga clauses. Kasi I represent MET Tathione and he represent another brand, so may limitations din. Pero we’re able to compromise para maipakita pa rin ng realistic yung kuwento.

“May partial sa akin, wala lang contact ko. Bale implied yung eksena, pero after that, nang iwan ako ng rapist na halos mamamatay na ang katawan ko, siyempre ipinakita kung ano yung aftermath nun. Kaya siyempre, hindi naman puwedeng nakabihis doon, kaya pumayag ako sa eksenang ‘yon dahil kailangan talaga, e.

“So, yeah, masisilip yung ano ko rito, nakadapa ako after the scene, e. Part of the job ito and wala naman akong qualms sa mga ganitong eksena dahil napakaimportante nun, e. Kasi if you put yourself in a role ‘tapos yun yung nangyari sa ginagampanan mo, lalo’t base ito sa true-to-life story, you won’t feel shy.

“‘Tsaka yun yung mindset na nakuha ko sa pamilya ko, dahil mga artista rin ang pamilya ko, na talagang you forget who you are. Na hindi ako si Lance, ako si Fidel and ito ang nangyari sa kanya kaya kailangan naming ipakita iyon.”

Does he expect an award for Fidel?

“I’m hoping, kasi talagang piniga ako ni Direk, e. It’s by Direk Sandy Bacolod, siya yung assistant director ng 100 na nanalo si Mylene Dizon, Konsiyerto, at Boses. And ngayon ay full-fledged direktor na siya. Pinanood ko ang mga movie na ‘yan at nakita ko kung paano nila idinirek dito si Mylene and ‘yon din yung ginawa nila sa akin.

“Although I don’t wanna assume, pero I wanna hope dahil siyempre, gusto ko na ‘yong pinaghirapan ko, kasi talagang in-immerse ko ang sarili ko na noong nasa set ako, feeling ko nga ay hindi na ako si Lance. Pati ‘yong mga pulis na gumanap doon, mga Arabo talaga, e. So kapag nakakaramdam ako ng pagod at hirap, nandoon naman yung satisfaction na worth it ito, dahil ginastusan at pinaghirapan talaga e.”

Although the Bench Blackout was celebrity heaven, the catwalk models also made some splash. It’s an equal mix of Filipino models and imported models mostly from Brazil. The Bench Blackout Underwear and Denim Show was after all a fashion show. Only, the models are modeling underwear and denim jeans.