John Arcilla is Lolo Omeng in Lawrence Fajardo’s Beast, while Joross Gamboa is Chito in Joseph Abello’s Wantawsan, two of the major acting attractions in this year’s CinePanalo Film Festival, powered by Puregold.

The five other films in competition are Thop Nazareno’s Apol of My Ai, BG Amparado’s Mono No Aware, Rodina Singh’s Multwoh and Mikko Baldoza’s Stuck In You. All the films are currently showing until 4 October at Gateway Cineplex 18, Fairview Terraces, Ayala Malls Feliz, Circuit, Manila Bay and Market! Market!

Lolo Omeng

“The moment I started reading the script, I immediately got hooked and was not able to stop reading and crying,” John Arcilla said when he started to talk about the film Beast. “I’m an animal lover, that’s one factor why I was attracted to the film, and at the same time, Jim Flores’ writing is so poetic and poignant to the extent that when I reached the conclusion of the story, I was literally sobbing already.”

Arcilla continued: “Not that I am a masochist, meaning I do not equate nakakaiyak sa maganda (so beautiful it makes you cry); it was so, so endearingly relevant.”

On working with director Law Fajardo, Arcilla said: “It is my fourth project with direk Law. I love his shots ever. His shots speak differently and organically. Natural, normal, but there is something new and different about his shots.”

“I believe there is a feeling of mutual respect with our kind of work,” Arcilla explained of their actor-director dynamics. “I feel so relaxed to share my thoughts, plus he is very open to listening and exploring with our journey towards mounting the film together. I think Law and I respect each other as creatives.”

“Lolo Omeng, my character, is almost like me,” said the seasoned actor. “It resonates with my kind of life. I grew up on a farm and was able to ride and tend carabaos during my childhood days on our land, which we call Acienda, and that helped me a lot.”

Working with an animal actor, Arcilla said: “When I read in the script that Lolo Omeng has an affinity towards my carabao and how the story unfolds with him till the pivotal part of the story, there will be no chance to think twice.”

“It is very typical for a film about a lead character’s dog or cat, or a pig… but a carabao? Man, I think it is the first time,” Arcilla added. “The audience will see a story with the so-called beast of burden as a pet and companion.”

Bonding with Bob, the carabao’s name, Arcilla said: “I made an effort with him being so comfortable with me, so I hug him every time we have to start shooting, talked with him, fed and made him drink. When I sensed that he was tired, pahinga muna siya (he should rest).”

Arcilla shared an interesting story: “During our Luneta shoot, the moment Bob saw the carabao statues beside the Monument of Rizal, he was really making sounds of recognition and really into the statues of his cousins! He was literally making papansin with the other carabaos. Ungaaaa siya ng ungaaaaa (he keeps on bellowing)! He was staring at them, wanted to be near them. That was so amazing and endearing.”

On the possibility of bringing home the CinePanalo Best Actor trophy, Arcilla said: “Wow. That would be a great treat! I hope so. I know that the other lead actors also gave their best performance in their respective films. All I can say is that the Beast is an endearing, magical, and relevant film, and it is for audiences from all walks of life.”

Chito

“I think doing the pambansang best friend role and portraying Chito, nothing much has changed. I always give my best in all my roles,” said Joross Gamboa. “Doing a film is always a collective and collaborative effort. I am always grateful to the time, effort, and everyone’s work, most especially to the people who work behind the camera.”

“Internally, I think it is easy to give life to Chito because he is the typical representation of the majority of Filipinos who put up a fair fight and survive the many givens of our lives nowadays,” Gamboa said. “The external transformation was more taxing since they had to color my hair, darken my skin tone, and most of my scenes were under the scorching rays of the sun. Grueling and fun nonetheless.”

This was Gamboa’s first time to work with his Wantawsan director, Joseph Abello. “He is a very good director,” he said. “He knows what he wants to happen in a given scene and he guides me. He wants the scenes to look natural and hindi pilit (unforced), whether it’s a funny or dramatic scene. He always wants it sincerely. We call him very nonchalant.”

People must watch the movie because “First, our tickets are not expensive; it will not even reach P1K,” Gamboa said jokingly. “Our story is timely, relatable. It not only mirrors but presents the situations and truth of most Filipinos.”

On the possibility that he is a shoo-in Best Actor winner, Gamboa reacted: “Who said that? I will give him my P1K in the movie,” he guffawed. “Seriously, hindi ko binabalewala ang (I am not disregarding) awards. The nomination is great. Winning the award is even better, but I really see it as a bonus. As an actor, what I give more importance to is that I was able to do good work, that the message and the lessons of the movie, because of the commitment and truth I gave to my character, the viewers absorb and appreciate, and that when they come out of the movies, they take away and bring home the lessons and wisdom from my character, and that it will bring positive changes to their lives.”