Epy Quizon steals the show as Marcus in ‘About Us But Not About Us’ stage adaptation

From an invisible ghost in the film to a stage powerhouse, Epy Quizon brings explosive intensity to the “third man” in Jun Robles Lana’s psychological thriller. 

If you caught the special preview of Jun Robles Lana’s “About Us But Not About Us” on Jan. 16, you already know Epy Quizon stole the show as Marcus, the once “invisible” character from the 2022 film.

Quizon describes Marcus as “a person with anxiety. Marcus is a man in love with another man, and his connection to his true love, Eric, was shattered, unleashing a storm in his head. Marcus is a genius but emotionally unstable.”

The story centers on two former lovers, Eric (Romnick Sarmenta) and Lancelot (Elijah Canlas), who meet for what seems like a casual lunch. But as conversation unfolds, long-buried secrets, past betrayals, and hidden traumas surface, turning a simple reunion into a tense psychological exploration of memory, love, and loss.

The ghost made flesh

In the original 2022 film, Marcus was Eric’s former partner who died by suicide, with his presence revealed only through memories and conversations between Eric and Lancelot. On stage, however, Marcus is given new life. Quizon alternates with Andoy Ranay in portraying him, adding depth to a character who was previously only alluded to.

Quizon is no stranger to playing complex gay characters. His first notable role was in “Markova: Comfort Gay” (2000), a biographical drama about Walter Dempster Jr., one of the last surviving Filipino “comfort gays” during World War II. 

Reflecting on that experience, Quizon said it taught him empathy and understanding for the LGBTQ+ community. He admitted that before playing Markova, he was a bit aloof toward gay people. It was in this film that he learned to understand gay men fully.

A masterclass in empathy

In “About Us But Not About Us,” Quizon channels that same sensitivity into Marcus, portraying a man who may have bipolar tendencies—bottling emotions until they erupt in explosive moments. His performance demonstrates why he earned Best Supporting Actor awards for “Markova” at the MMFF, FAMAS, and Gawad Urian in 2000–2001.

Director Tuxqs Rutaquio spoke about bringing Marcus to life on stage: “The restaurant isn’t just a place of reunion—it’s a volatile emotional chamber where two men confront truths about a third, absent presence: Marcus. While physically gone, his influence lingers like a ghost, interpreted differently by Eric and Lancelot. Epy’s portrayal involved assembling Marcus through fragments, from the perspectives of the other characters, giving the character a unique depth.”

Show schedule and venue

Catch Epy alongside Sarmenta and Canlas in “About Us But Not About Us,” running Feb. 14 to Mar. 8 at the Power Mac Spotlight Center Blackbox Theater, Circuit, Makati City. Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.

The film version of “About Us But Not About Us” premiered in Estonia on Nov. 23 as an official entry in the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, winning Best Film. It later became one of the entries for the first Summer Metro Manila Film Festival, winning 10 awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.

 

 

Epy’s portrayal involved assembling Marcus through fragments, from the perspectives of the other characters, giving the character a unique depth.

Tuxqs Rutaquio

 

 

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