On June 20, Tuesday, seasoned actors Jean Garcia, Malou de Guzman, Bembol Rocco, and Christopher de Leon were amazed by the effort that Kapuso star Ruru Madrid had put into Lolong.
Garcia observed that Madrid always comes to the set prepared, making his acting more natural.
“Napakagaling ni Ruru talaga. As in inaral niya, alam niya ang character niya, isinapuso niya. Kaya natural siyang lumalabas kay Ruru,” she said during the show’s press conference.
De Guzman even described it as “life-like.”
“Siguro pinaka-ano lang, makatotohanan. Everything starts from the truth. So hindi tayo lalayo doon. So kung may istilo man dito na common sa aming lahat, ‘yun ang paghanap ng katotohanan sa bawat ginagampanan naming papel.”
Rocco even expressed how fun working alongside the young Kapuso actor was, as he stated, “Masipag. Napaka-seryoso ni Ruru, masarap katrabaho kasi he’s always in character, and he’s open to suggestion.”
On the other hand, De Leon saw potential in Lolong‘s lead star, that he possesses “the highest form of art [which] is discipline.”
“‘Yung disiplina? Kasi kung wala ka namang disiplina, kahit na magaling kang artista, makikita iyon sa trabaho mo eh. Si Ruru has the discipline, he’s very professional, he’s all out. So makikita mo sa trabaho niya. ‘Yung mahal niya ang ginagawa niya and at the same time, he’s in character.”
After hearing such kind words from his co-actors, Madrid said, “Sobrang nakakataba po nang puso.”
But apparently, while taping for the show and having dialogues with them, the actor admitted he felt pressure. What he did was tell himself, “hindi dapat akong mailang.”
“Kasi the more na maiilang ako, hindi ko maibibigay ang best ko [at] mas lalo akong mapapahiya sa kanila. Kasi siyempre kilala po natin sila na mahuhusay na aktor, na marami na po silang napatunayan sa kani-kanilang mga karera,” he explained.
The Kapuso artist also took it as a learning opportunity to elevate his craft further.
“Kaya hindi ko po hinahayaan na magkaroon ng isang eksena, kahit na kaninong, kahit sino sa cast, na hindi po ako handa. Kailangan bago ako dumating sa set namin, ready ako, alam ko kung ano ‘yung eksena, alam ko kung sa’n papunta, at alam ko kung anong pinanggalingan nito. Kasi ganoon ko po kamahal ang show na ito.”
Lolong had a series of misfortunes throughout its production, but finally, on July 4, it will begin airing on GMA Network.
First-time TV director, Rommel Penesa, directs the show.
