From viral to versatile: Poca lands first film role in ‘Meg & Ryan’

From TikTok punchlines to silver screen punchy one-liners, Warren Daniel “Poca” Osinaga is stepping into a whole new spotlight. Known online for his hilarious and unfiltered takes on everyday life, Poca is making a bold leap from content creation to cinematic storytelling with his debut role in the upcoming romantic comedy Meg & Ryan, premiering this August.

Officially introduced as part of the cast during the film’s grand press conference on July 9, Poca joins an ensemble headlined by JC Santos and Rhian Ramos under the direction of Catherine O. Camarillo. It’s a full-circle moment for the digital darling whose charisma has captivated millions online—and now, he’s set to do the same in theaters.

“Another milestone for me as a content creator is to experience a whole new different ball game—which is acting,” Poca shared in a recent Instagram post. “Thank you so much to Direk Catherine and the entire team of PM Productions for trusting me to be a part of this incredible experience!”

First-timer with full heart

For someone known for his quick wit and spontaneous humor, entering the structured world of film acting was both exciting and nerve-wracking. During his presscon interview, Poca candidly recalled the jitters he felt on set.

“Grabe ‘yung kaba ko nung una,” he admitted. “But everyone—from the cast to the crew—made the environment so relaxed. Kahit first time ko, naging masaya ako sa feedback ng co-actors ko.”

And before he landed the part, there was no shortcut to stardom—he earned his spot the traditional way.

“Nag-audition kami. Dalawang roles pa nga ‘yung pinasa ko. Pero nung binasa ko ‘yung script para sa role na nakuha ko, sabi ko, ‘Ako ba nagsulat nito?’ Akong-ako talaga.”

The role in question? Von—the hilariously annoying officemate of JC Santos’s Ryan.

Making Von his own

Far from simply memorizing lines, Poca took a grounded and personal approach to preparing for the character.

“Ayokong kabisaduhin word for word. Gusto ko maintindihan by heart,” he explained. “Binasa ko nang paulit-ulit ‘yung script hanggang sa maisapuso ko siya.”

True to his creative nature, Poca sought permission from Direk Catherine to inject some of his signature flair into the role.

“Hinayaan niya akong magdagdag at magbawas ng kaunti—she gave me that freedom. That trust allowed me to express myself.”

For the self-made creator, this wasn’t just about landing a role—it was about honoring the trust placed in him and proving that he belonged in the company of seasoned actors.

A comic foil to JC Santos

In Meg & Ryan, Poca plays the lively and laugh-inducing Von—Ryan’s scene-stealing colleague who injects humor and chaos into the office dynamic. Sharing most of his scenes with JC Santos, Poca found a surprising sense of familiarity on set.

“Si JC ‘yung madalas kong kasama. Sa office kami lagi so asaran kami. Which, let’s be honest, ginagawa ko naman talaga araw-araw!” he laughed. “Parang wala masyadong nabago, pero it was still such a great experience. Isa talaga sa pinaka-memorable for me.”

New chapter, same heart

From the comfort of his camera phone to the complexities of a film set, Poca has proven he can navigate both spaces with authenticity and charm. But beyond the technicalities of acting, it’s his heart—raw, humble, and full of gratitude—that truly shines.

“This is my first movie ever. It’s a privilege. Ayoko mapahiya ang sarili ko at ang mga taong nagtiwala sa akin.”

Catch Poca as Von in Meg & Ryan, opening in cinemas nationwide starting August 6. Directed by Catherine O. Camarillo (DGPI) and written by Gina Marissa Tagasa, the film also stars Cedrick Juan, Ces Quesada, Cris Villanueva, Jef Gaitan, and rising talents J-mee Katanyag, Steven Bansil, Alison Black, and of course, Poca Osinaga.

With laughter, love, and a little bit of office drama, Meg & Ryan promises to be Poca’s most entertaining breakthrough yet—and one that’s just the beginning of his new creative journey.