OUT of the 27 who auditioned for the lead role of April Boy Regino in the true-to-life film, Idol, John Arcenas eventually played the character. The newbie actor who is making his big screen debut cannot be thankful enough to land the part.

“Kilala ko po si April Boy even before,” Arcenas acknowledged. “Idol ng tatay ko si April Boy before. Kaya noong nagsisimula pa lang akong kumanta, naririnig ko na ang mga songs ni April Boy.”

John witnessed the challenging auditions when he was lining up to try his luck. “Nakita ko po ‘yung ibang nag-audition,” he disclosed. “May mas bata sa akin, may kilalang artista, mayroon din mas senior sa akin.

“Noong nasa pila ako at hawak ko ang number ko, iba talaga ang kaba ko. Who doesn’t know April Boy Regino? Alam kong big responsibility to portray him. I am so blessed at natapos namin ang pelikula na maayos.”

John met the other artists who previously impersonated April Boy, especially those who joined Pilipinas Got Talent. “Kinabahan talaga ako sa kanila, pero laban lang,” John said.

The preparations to portray April Boy on the big screen is admittedly challenging for John. “Kung paano ko gagayahin si April Boy in terms of how he performed, that was hard for me,” said John.

“I attended vocal lessons to attain how April Boy’s voice when he sings because his voice was so distinct. I even doubted myself if I could do it. Then I got to being close to doing his voice when I was singing.”

Meanwhile, another newcomer, Kate Yalung, was a no-brainer to play Madelyn Regino, from the time she showed up in the office of the producer

“Nag-audition pa din ako dahil hindi pa rin ako sure kung ako ang pipiliin,” said Kate, who is part of the Yalung family of showbiz.

Idol is Kate’s first film. “Every time I stepped on the set while we were shooting, ganu’n palagi ang na-feel ko. Ang lakas ng kaba ko, But once I hear, ‘Action,’ nag-iiba na ang anyo ko.”

Kate Yalung plays April Boy’s wife, Madelyn, his first and last love. “What I learned from this film is to constantly acknowledge your family,” Kate said. “Cherish every moment with your family.

Huwag mo silang tatalikuran dahil in the end, they will be the ones to help you.”

Kate got to talk with the real Madelyn Regino before they started filming. “Nakita ko talaga sa mga mata niya kung gaano niya kamahal si April Boy,” Kate shared. “She was teaching me how to do a particular scene with April Boy.”

Kate was overwhelmed after she saw the outcome of Idol on the big screen. She found the result unbelievable.

“Wow! Makikita ko na ang sarili ko sa big screen,” she said. “That was my initial reaction. Kaya ko palang umarte at gawin ‘yun. I was really happy with the final outcome of Idol.”

Meanwhile, John was simply thankful with the result of his first film. “When I saw myself onscreen, the first thing I said, this would not have been possible without April Boy. I was given a huge responsibility.”

John felt disappointed when Idol was not selected as one of the official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). “But I looked at it as a blessing in disguise,” he said.

“With the help of our executive producer (Marynette Gamboa) and my manager (Tyrone Escalante), I know they will guide us until this film gets to be shown. Hindi nila kami pababayaan.”

Umiiyak ang Puso was John’s favorite April Boy song, which the latter wrote when he felt he turned his back from the Lord.

Efren Reyes, Jr. is proud to complete Idol, his directorial debut which he also wrote. Directing is not far from his background, since his father, Efren Reyes, was one of the first directors of action king Fernando Poe, Jr.

“Nakikita natin na may mga genre na drama at may hiwalayan,” explained direk Efren. “Nag-aaway ang mag-asawa dahil may kabit o kalaguyo, puro away, kaliwaan. Doon umiikot and intriga ng pelikula.

“Sa pelikulang ito, dito natin mapapatunayan na mayroong forever. Na tunay ang pagmamahalan nila. Depende lang sa pagsasama ng dalawang tao. Huwag nating gawing fad at ipakita natin sa tao at maging ehemplo na okay lang maghiwalay.

“Ipinakita natin sa pelikulang ito ang wagas na pagmamahalan. Nang una at huling lalaki sa buhay ni Madelyn at ganoon din si April Boy, una at huling babae sa buhay niya si Madelyn, hanggang sa ikinamatay niya, nagmamahalan silang dalawa.”

Recording executive Tony Ocampo is portrayed by Hero Bautista,while John Nite was German Moreno. Even multi-awarded hitmaker Vehnee Saturno was in Idol.

Others in the cast are Dindo Arroyo as Tatay Tomas and Tanya Gomez as Nanay Lucy, April Boy’s parents. Rey “PJ” Abellana and Irene Celebre as Madelyn’s parents. April Boys siblings, Vingo and Jimmy, are in the cast, too playing themselves. Young April Boy is Jaodencio Llanto.

Supervising producer is Lynn Madrigal, associate producer is Armand Reyes, associate director is Jose “Kaka” Balagtas, assistant director is MJ Balagtas, cinematography and editing is Gilbert Obispo, musical director is Boy Christopher.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio