Doing a film with Piolo shocks Vic
VIC Sotto has acted for decades in memorable comedy flicks on TV and the big screen. In his forthcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, The Kingdom, the veteran actor gave his nod to a dramatic role in a film.
“This is the first time na namulat ako sa tunay na buhay ng artista,” Bossing Vic said. “I’ve done television shows, I’ve done quite a number of movies before, but this is the first time that – although I wouldn’t say that I had a hard time – I was really challenged.
“With my character, I couldn’t even raise my eyebrows. I can’t even say ‘Nge’ in my dialogue. I am really comfortable in saying that. You will remove me from my comfort zone, that was really hard work for me.”
As Lakan Makisig, Bossing is the king who gets torn between two worlds of heritage, culture and family. He gave credit to his fellow actors in The Kingdom, megged by Michael Tuviera. For the first time, Bossing works with Piolo Pascual.
The Kingdom is jointly bankrolled by APT Entertainment, MQuest Ventures and MZet Television Productions.
Bossing also acknowledges director Mike Tuviera. “We would always go over with the sequence before we shoot it,” Bossing said. “I had so many questions. Can I raise my hand? I cannot raise my voice.
“I had to change my voice. I cannot use the voice I’m using everyday on Eat Bulaga. Give me five! Hindi talaga pwede ‘yun so it was really hard work for me. Very big challenge and I’m glad I did it. I’m glad I said yes for this momentous film.”
For his role as Lakan, whole body tattoos had to be applied to Bossing for four hours, the first time he did that.
When direk Mike first talked to me about the concept, about the film, I was a bit shocked,” Bossing admitted. “I had second thoughts doing the project because I know this is a serious film. Non-political. I was asking myself, bagay ba sa akin ang The Kingdom?
The next question was, ‘Kaya ko ba ‘to?’ When I asked who my co-actors were, they told me, ‘We are negotiating to get Piolo Pascual.’ I immediately told them, ‘Okay, go na tayo.’
“Piolo and I belong to different stations before. We never had to work together and make a film. So this is one chance that I simply cannot pass up. Finally, they convinced me to accept the project.”
Piolo, who works with Bossing for the first time, plays Sulo, an outcast of the society, Tinatwa. He is a poor farmer so he cannot set his foot in the kingdom. That is where his hatred comes from.
“It was really hard to mingle with everyone because we had to be in our character and stay focused,” Piolo shared. “Even on the set we needed to focus. It was a fun film to shoot, but it was really hard because of the lights, costumes, dialogue, the set, the pressure.
“I think we were all doing some sort of method (acting) for us to get into our respective characters and make sure we will not depart from that. That gave us a chance to get to know each other and bond while getting to know our characters.”
Piolo admitted he was thrilled to work with Bossing for the first time on the big screen. “I’ve always been a fan, so the minute I saw Bossing, it was like living my fantasy. I know I’ve been living my dream. Finally, I got to work with Vic Sotto.”
Bossing heard about how good Piolo is as an actor. “Napatunayan ko na. He’s a seriously good actor. In one of the sequences, I was watching Piolo. Wala akong scene. Medyo nag fan boy mode ako.
“Ang galing niya. Ang hahaba ng dialogue pero hindi siya nagkakamali. Ako, kapiraso lang, buma-buckle pa. Seriously, Piolo is not just a good actor, he’s a good person.”
Meanwhile, Sue Ramirez who plays Dayang Lualhati, is likewise grateful that she was given the chance to work with Bossing and Piolo.
“Nagbigay si Bossing and Papa P ng kilig talaga while we were working together,” Sue shared. “Dapat chill ka lang at hindi mo pinapakitang kinikilig ka.
“I remember direk Mike while I was doing a scene with Papa P, sinita niya ako. Ikaw, kunyari pa chill-chill ka lang pero kilig na kilig ka talaga. On a serious note, that’s one.
“But the biggest learning for me as an actor doing this film is complete trust with my co-actors and with the production that you’re working with. Honestly, I did not even have to read the script to say yes.
“It was a yes for me automatically. I know I placed my trust on everyone I worked with. I worked with APT Productions many times in the past and I know how they take care of their stars. They are very careful with the projects they are doing.”
Christine Reyes found it unbelievable how she essayed her role as Dayang Matimyas, the responsible daughter of Lakan who looks after the family and the entire kingdom.
“I could not believe it that I could stand before the parliament, but I did it,” Christine said. “On a serious note, I was really thankful that I got that role.
“When I talked to direk Mike, I expressed my sentiments to him and I believe I did those sentiments in this film.”
Zion plays Felipe, the grandson of Lakan Makisig. Nico Antonio plays Jared, the funny helper of the royal family.
