INTERESTING times, indeed. A few of our actors are preparing to play heroes in history. Roeder Camañag spends hours in a wheelchair to get the feel of being a paraplegic. Alden Richards reads a lot of history books to get into his role of the National Hero. Robin Padilla lets the current news affect him so he can feel the fire and rage of a rebel leader.
FOREVER AN ACTOR
ROEDER CAMAÑAG has been in the performing arts for 27 years, and he is still at it.
From being the pop idol responsible for the hit Sana Naman in the early ‘90s, Roeder shifted his sights to acting and, there, he found his real calling. From theater to television to film, Roeder takes on each role with the same intensity, focus and commitment.
“I guess I will forever be an actor,“ he told us during a break from rehearsals for Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini, an original Filipino musical that seeks to reimagine the local hero’s exile in Guam and the ordeals he faced before his return to the Philippines. Roeder takes on the title role.
“Most of us only know Mabini as the hero bound to his wheelchair because of his physical disability, but there is so much more to him and his life that can inspire us, and, perhaps, strengthen our sense of nationalism,” he shared.
For this project, Roeder is working with a wonderful artistic team. Floy Quintos wrote the book and the libretto, which is set to music by Ryan Cayabyab’s darling daughter Krina, with direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos.
He will share the stage with Leo Rialp, Al Gatmaitan, Poppert Bernadas, Nazer Salcedo, Banaue Miclat and Jean Judith Javier. Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini will run from October 1 to 19 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Roeder also regularly shares his talent to cinema. His most recent work, Mula sa Kung Ano Noon (From What Is Before) from A-list filmmaker Lav Diaz, just brought home the Golden Leopard plum (equivalent to the Best Film prize) at the prestigious Locarno International Film Festival.
“I love working with Lav,” Roeder enthused. “He is one director who allows his actors to discover things about their characters, and he trusts his actors’ capabilities. He has a brilliant mind and almost zero ego, unlike many directors who camouflage their insecurities with strong personalities and attention-seeking demeanor. And, with all due respect, Lav’s patience is also as long as the running time of his precious works.”
His working relationship with Lav has brought Roeder to many festivals abroad, the most memorable of which was when he walked the red carpet in Venice, where the film Death in the Land of Encantos premiered. He is scheduled to be part of the Philippine delegation that will attend the Tokyo International Film Festival in October.
He is excited that another Diaz masterpiece, Norte: The Beginning of History, has been selected as the official Philippine entry in the Best Foreign Language category of the Oscars.
“I hope that the film creates history by being the first Filipino film to make it to the elite list of nominees. That will surely be a big honor for the country.”
MEANT TO BE
GMA contract star Alden Richards plays the role of a lifetime and admits that he feels jittery now that the historical series Ilustrado is about to premier on the blockbuster primetime block of GMA.
“Although I have prepared so much in order to give life to Jose Rizal, and the team behind Ilustrado has filmed so many beautiful scenes already, I’m still anxious about how people would take it and what feedback I would be getting,” he said.
The role of Rizal fell onto Alden’s lap by fate and he feels blessed. “I didn’t have to audition for the part. One day I was just informed by my bosses that they were offering me the role, and I was simply dumbfounded in sheer disbelief.”
He shared that, although he had heard the project was in the works, he wasn’t expecting to be considered for it. “I am much taller than Jose Rizal. I’m mestizo, he’s not. I thought the role would be given to more moreno actors. Maybe it was destined to be. I’m simply thankful.”
Ilustrado will premiere at end of October, and will be shown only for four weeks since it is a historical special. For this series, Alden will be strongly supported by the likes of Eula Valdes, Freddie Webb, Jaclyn Jose, Angelina Kanapi and Ricardo Cepeda.
“I’m learning a lot from my coactors, especially Eula who plays my mother. I have been observing her quietly, how she works, how she focuses, how she transforms into her character during takes, and how wonderful she is as a woman.”
AFTER ANDRES
THERE are talks that after work is done with his Metro Manila Film Festival entry Bonifacio, Robin Padilla is making a big move. It was reported that the actor is consumed by the hopelessness being felt by many citizens over how the government is running the country, and he is seriously thinking of migrating to Europe.
“Nothing is for sure yet. The possibilities are endless. Some decisions should be carefully thought of and planned. It won’t help being impulsive.”
For the meantime, Robin is all focused playing Andres Bonifacio. “We shoot four times a week and everyone in the cast is fired up. I’m glad that, through this movie, I’m learning more about Bonifacio and what made him who he was—a true hero.”
Robin understood that research plays a big role in the making of the film so he flew to Spain to do some research about history during the time of Bonifacio and Jose Rizal. “That trip was an awakening for me. We’re sharing what we learned about Bonifacio in the film, so I hope that people will find time to see it when it is shown in December.”