Can you spot this Filipino in your next 'Crazy Rich Asians' viewing?
2018 hit film Crazy Rich Asians is now streaming on Netflix. But if you think you already know everything about this phenomenal rom-com, you might want to consider watching it again. This time, more closely.
Did you know that next to Nico Santos and Kris Aquino, the movie has another Filipino in its all-Asian cast?
Meet Junji Delfino, a Pinoy jazz singer-actress based in Malaysia. She had a bit role as the Filipino maid of Astrid Leong-Teo, which British-Chinese actress Gemma Chan then portrayed.
In an Instagram post uploaded on August 19, 2018, Delfino said that she appeared "between fifteen to twenty minutes into the film." So don't blink or you'll miss her! In jest, she recalled telling her family to do just the same before watching the film.
"My brother, his wife, and another cousin went to a cinema in Canada to catch #crazyrichasians. The film ended and not one of them was able to spot me! You guys must’ve been blinking helluva lot!" Delfino wrote on her post. "I warned you not to blink! If it helps jog your memory, I looked like this: the scene was in Astrid’s condo, just after she came home from shopping!"
Although she barely got any screen time, Delfino was still proud to be part of the film—which went on to be the sixth highest-grossing rom-com ever, only behind 1998’s There’s Something About Mary.
"I’m happy to have been a #reallysmallpartofit as #GemmaChan’s character, Astrid’s #filipinomaid in the film," she said in another Instagram post on August 7, 2018.
Crazy Rich Asians was the highly-anticipated movie adaptation of Kevin Kwan's 2013 novel of the same title. It followed the story of Chinese-New Yorker Rachelle Chu (Constance Wu), who would accompany her boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) to his best friend's wedding in Singapore. She would later uncover Nick's true identity as the scion of one of the country's wealthiest families and one of its most sought-after bachelors. Shoved into the spotlight, Rachel ultimately contended with jealous socialites, nosey relatives, and Nick's own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh).
Directed by Jon M. Chu, Crazy Rich Asians featured an all-Asian cast, which includes Philippine's own Kris Aquino and Fil-Am actor Nico Santos.
Aquino portrayed Princess Intan, a Malay royalty who "refuses to speak to anyone." She was best remembered in the movie donning a yellow caped Michael Cinco gown.
Santos, on the other hand, played Oliver T’sien, a gossip-loving fashion designer and Nick Young's second cousin.
Aside from his role in the movie, Santos is known as the lovable and sarcastic Mateo in the NBC hit comedy series Superstore.
Banner image source: Michael Tran/FilmMagic and WaterTower Music