PHOTOS BY DR. FRANCIS XAVIER SOLIS
The road to his becoming a hugely popular writer started via YouTube.
Bestselling author Marcelo Santos rose to fame when he uploaded videos of love stories he had written on the video-sharing website when he was in college. The videos became a huge hit, reaching millions of views that netizens tagged him as an internet sensation.
Before graduating from college, Marcelo wrote his first book, and picked two of his most viewed videos titled “Upuan” and “Bag at Folder” to be part of what was to become the “Para Sa Hopeless Romantic” book.
In 2012, he self-published the book, starting with 2,000 copies. A publishing company offered to sell the book nationwide, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now, Marcelo has two other bestselling books to his credit—“Para sa Brokenhearted” and “Mahal Mo Sya, Mahal Ka Ba?,” more than 500,000 followers on Twitter, and 5.8 million “likes” on his Facebook page.
During his visit to Cebu, the 24-year-old author from Tondo, Manila confessed that he still can’t believe that his first published book is now a movie. Produced by Viva Films and Star Cinema and starring James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Iñigo Pascual and Julia Barretto, “Para sa Hopeless Romantic” will open in theaters on May 13. It also features Marcelo in a cameo role.
Read on to know more about this gifted writer.
Where was the first exposure of “Para sa Hopeless Romantic”? Was it via Wattpad?
Most think na ang “Para sa Hopeless Romantic” (PSHR) ay galing sa Wattpad. Ito po ay galing sa mga nagawa kong videos (short stories) sa YouTube way back 2010. Dalawang stories ang bumubuo sa PSHR: ‘Yung “Bag at Folder” (story of Maria and Ryan) and “Upuan” (story of Becca and Nikko).
What is the book about?
Istorya ito ni Becca (portrayed in the movie by Nadine Lustre), isang college student na may masamang pinagdaanan sa pag-ibig.
Iniwan siya ng kanyang boyfriend na si Nikko (James Reid). So the story itself, kwento ng bitterness and hopelessness ni Becca na makahanap ng true love. But one day, nagsulat siya sa upuan tungkol sa nararamdaman niya. The following day, may sumagot sa sinulat niya sa upuan. So the story will run sa story ni Becca at ni Mystery Man ng upuan. Side story naman ang story ni Maria at Ryan (played by Julia Barretto and Iñigo Pascual, respectively). Story siya na pinasa ni Becca sa school newspaper na sumasalamin sa bitterness na nararanasan niya sa love. So apat na taong na-devastate dahil sa pag-ibig. May hope pa ba sa kanila? O wala na?
Marcelo (right) promotes “Para sa Hopeless Romantic” with director Andoy Ranay and actors James Reid, Nadine Lustre, Julia Barretto and Iñigo Pascual
How was it chosen to be made into a film?
Inimbitahan ako ng Viva Films sa office nila para ibigay ang offer na gawin itong movie. Sabi nila, may group sila na nagbabasa ng mga libro at sa dinami-raming librong nakuha nila, ‘yung sa akin ‘yung napili nila dahil sa istorya nito.
Were you always present during the shoot?
Hindi ako present sa lahat ng shoot pero I make sure na maayos ang lahat pagdating sa script. Tulungan naman kami ng Viva. Kapag may mga babaguhin o tatanggalin, kinukunsulta muna sa akin bago nila gawin. Hands-on rin naman ako pagdating sa creative side ng filming. Nakakatuwa nga dahil may mga ideas sila na sana pala ay naisulat ko kasi sobrang ganda. Nasabi ko nga before na, after kong nabasa ‘yung script, parang gusto kong isulat ulit ito into books at idagdag ‘yung mga kilig moments at mga added scenes na mapapanood nila sa movie. Kahit akong writer, kinikilig sa mga nakalagay sa script.
How was it working with James and Nadine? Did you give them tips on how they can best portray their roles, based on how you wrote them in the book?
Nakasama ako sa isang shoot para sa cameo role ko sa pelikula. Ka-eksena ko doon si Nadine. Nakapag-usap naman kami ni Nadine tungkol sa character niya, si Becca. And yes, sinasabi ko sa kanya ‘yung feelings and katauhan ng character niya. Nag-usap kami sa dressing room. Sa kanya na rin mismo nanggaling na ito ang pinaka-challenging role na nagawa niya sa isang pelikula. Kasi ‘yung mga nakaraang movie, medyo light ang character niya. Dito sa PSHR, sobrang bigat ng pakiramdam ng character niya dahil nga sa bitterness sa love.
What can you say about the actors portraying the characters in your book?
Noong pinanood ko ‘yung rough edit ng movie, almost two hours ‘yun, napangiti ako. Kuhang kuha nila James and Nadine sina Nikko at Becca. Sobrang effort pa si Nikko dahil nagpa-tan pa siya para sa pelikula. Masaya rin ako kina AJ (Muhlach), Shy (Carlos), Julia and Iñigo dahil sobrang kuha rin nila ‘yung character na naiisip ko noong sinusulat ko pa ‘yung libro.
Where was the shoot done?
Sa PUP (Polytechnic University of the Philippines) mostly ang shoot. Mayroon din sa Fishermall, seaside, at isa pang school.
What’s your favorite scene in the movie?
Siguro ‘yung mga kilig moments nina Nadine at James. ‘Yung eksena nila noong high school pa sila. ‘Yung sa canteen. Super good vibes nun and kilig. ‘Yung “Ano sa Japanese?” scene nila.
Marcelo with ‘Jadine’
What are the other books you’ve written? Will they be made into movies as well?
May sequel ang PSHR, ‘yung “Para sa Broken Hearted.” Story naman ito nina Jackie at RJ, (Shy and AJ). Kumbaga, ‘yung supporting sa part 1, bida na sa part 2. Kinausap ako ni Boss Vic (del Rosario) anong book ko raw ‘yung gusto kong gawing movie ulit. Ang sabi ko, ‘yung third book ko na “Mahal Mo Siya, Mahal Ka Ba?”
Are you writing a book now?
May sinisimulan akong libro, “Tara Move On Tayo.” Self-help book siya na light reading lang. Mga advice, short stories at blogs tungkol sa moving on.
When did you realize that you wanted to be a writer?
Noong bata palang ako, sumusulat na ako ng tula pero nitong third year college lang ako talaga nag-focus sa pagsusulat ng mga stories.
When you’re tired from writing, what do you do to unwind?
Nagpapahinga ako. Hindi ko pinipilit. Nanonood ako ng movies, nakikinig ng music, nag-re-relax.
How many videos have you made?
More than 200 videos na.
Is it true that you wrote the story “Text” which was made into a short film by the popular loveteam Jamich? (Jam Sebastian and Mich Liggayu)
Yes. we had a collaboration before, siguro ‘nung 2012. Nag-ask sila sa akin if pwede nilang gawan ng short film version ‘yung story ko na “Text.”
Aside from being a writer, what else do you do?
Sa ngayon, full time writer ako.
What course did you finish in college?
Graduate ako ng Bachelor in Advertising and Public Relations sa PUP Manila. Batch 2011.
Tell us something about your family.
Taga-Tondo kami. Pero ngayon, sa Quezon City na kami nakatira. Second ako sa limang magkakapatid. Walang work ‘yung parents ko.
Si Kuya at ako ang tumatayong breadwinner ng pamilya. ‘Yung family ko kasi magaling sa visual arts ‘eh … like drawing, painting. Tapos sina Kuya, Mom and Dad, magaling kumanta. Ako lang ata ‘yung sa literature aspect. Hahaha!
Since your books are mostly about romance, what is your definition of love?
Ang love para sa akin ay ‘yung something na nagkokonekta sa atin bilang tao sa bawat isa. Maraming uri ng love. Kumbaga, kapag nawala ang love, mawawalan na tayo ng connection sa mga taong naging parte ng buhay natin.
How do you define an ideal relationship?
Hindi ko masabi ‘eh. Marami kasing pwedeng ideal relationship. Pero para sa akin, siguro kung ‘yung kahit sobrang tagal niyo na, kahit marami na kayong napagdaraanan, hindi niyo pa rin binibitawan ang isa’t-isa at mapapatingin na lang kayo sa mga mata niyo at mapapangiti kasi nandun pa rin ‘yung love.
Lastly, are you in a relationship now?
Hindi po. Busy pa ako sa career.
