Francisco 'Choco' Maafi

 

Filipino-Iranian child actor Francisco "Choco" Maafi takes his career to the next level as he stars in his first lead role in the movie "The Special Gift."

During a media conference held in Quezon City recently, Choco said that he's happy for this first film which will be shown soon.

"Since I was 5 years old po. Nag-start po ako ng commercial muna ako mga two years. Tapos nag-teleserye na po ako. Masaya po ako dahil sa first movie ko po," said Francisco, who is also into singing, and dancing.

Choco, as he is fondly called, has appeared in many shows on GMA 7. He was Ronron, the son of Yasmin Kurdi in "Beautiful Justice;" Nonoy, the son of Jean Garcia in "Nakarehas Na Puso;" young Enzo (Xian Lim) in "Hearts on Ice;" and Sean in an episode of "Magpakailanman." 

This talented 10-year-old boy was also seen in many TV commercials such as Ngiting Alaska March (2017), Del Monte Quick N Easy (2017), Surf Fabric Conditioner Magical Bloom (2017), Krim Stix Choco Trip (2017), Duty-Free Philippines - Homecoming (2018), Lemon Square (2018), Oishi Bread Pan Pillows (2019) and Jollibee (2019).

In the movie, Choco plays the role of Liam Castrillo, a gifted child. The child star said that he enjoyed doing the film.

Asked about the most difficult scene in his upcoming movie, Choco said: "Wala po."

If he had a special gift, Choco said that he would use his talent to help other people.

"Gusto ko po sana magpagawa ng workshop place para mag-share ko po yung mga natutunan ko ngayon," said Choco, who also dreams of becoming a doctor.

The cast of 'The Special Gift' under RC Gomez Entertainment Productions

Choco said that he would love to meet and work with Kapamilya star Dingdong Dantes on a future project.

Produced by RC Gomez Entertainment Productions, the film is directed by Lawrence Roxas, his directorial debut. It also stars  Soliman Cruz, Mike Lloren, Malou Canzana, Migui Moreno, Ella Sheen, BJ Forbes, Romina Cauilan, and Angelo Gomez.

Hailing from Mindoro Oriental, Lawrence began his journey in the movie industry as a movie talent from 1993 to 1995 at ABS-CBN and GMA 7. 

In 1996, he was a talent coordinator and art department staff at Television and Production Exponents. From 1997 to 1999, he was a regular script writer in Carlo J. Caparaz’s television show Ang Pangarap Kong Jackpot under Golden Lion Productions. 

Venturing into theater productions in 1999, he became a free-lance stage director doing musicals and straight plays. As a playwright and artistic director of Dramatis Personae and Stephanus Arts Theater, he was a musical composer as well. 

In 2000, he became a voice talent dubbing tagalized versions of Koreanovela, HBO movies, and animation shows. He ventured also as a voice director for dubbing and for radio dramas. Aside from being an actor, he directed short films such as Kandila, Pluma, and Abducted. 

"The Special Gift" is the maiden project of RC Gomez Entertainment Productions.

Producer Roy C. Gomez recalled how the film production was born.

"Before the pandemic, Lawrence Roxas, and I envisioned making inspirational movies. We attempted to start producing a movie about the true-to-life heroism of teachers in the barrios. After a period of pre-production, they already planned to shoot the film in Mindoro. But the lockdown was implemented and the movie’s principal photography was cancelled. Since the pandemic restrictions have eased up this year, we revisited our vision and pushed through with their initial plan," said Roy.

"The Special Gift" will have a special screening at Cinema 3, The Block, SM North EDSA, on Sept. 9, at 12 noon, 3 p.m., and 6 p.m.