The Kapamilya series enters its second season with a promise of relentless action and drama.
Given the success of ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,’ the currently-airing ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,’ and now ‘The Iron Heart,’ it is hard to miss the signs that suggest action genre is now back and alive in local entertainment. It may still take a while before the so-called ‘golden age of action cinema’ returns, given the local film industry itself is yet to bounce to its old glory, but it cannot be denied that the genre has gone through some sort of resurgence, albeit on television.
During the press conference for the brand-new season of ‘The Iron Heart’ last June 24 at the Seda Hotel Vertis North, the cast shared not only their excitement for the series’ upcoming new season but also their thoughts on the show’s participation in the ongoing resurgence of action genre in the local entertainment scene.
Roi Vinzon, who is known for his villain roles in many iconic action movies before, remains hopeful for being part of the series, although he rarely gets required to do action scenes in the series.
“Nakita ko kasi ‘yung Fast and the Furious, kailangan may action at may family. Naramdamn ko ‘yan eh, sabi ko, ‘this is it’. Kaya habang tumatagal ang show, ‘yung sensibility ng Filipino audience, may family, kaya medyo may drama ‘din,” the veteran actor shared, noting the mix of action and drama the show offers, which many audiences are drawn to. Vinzon plays Hector, Gutierrez’s uncle in the series.
“First time ako maka-experience na ‘yung feeling ng mga writers, nag-revolve sa ganon,” he added, underscoring the familial elements of the show.
“Natutuwa ako sa ginagawang action dito kasi sa character ko na medyo comic, and at the same time action, na hindi ko pa nagagawa sa ibang projects. Dito, na-explore ko siya kung paano mag-work together ang pagiging comic at action. Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi hindi biro ang action, fight scenes dito,” shared Christian Vasquez who joked about getting easily tired on the set because of intense action scenes.
The younger actors Louise Abuel and Anthony Jennings, meanwhile, are grateful for getting cast in the series, noting how it allowed them to explore a fresh genre that is different from their usual projects.
“This time sa Iron Heart, kaming dalawa ni Anthony (Jennings), mas na-explore namin ‘yung action side, na kaya pala namin. Dati kasi noong bata pa ako panay drama…and now, kaya ko pala ng action,” said Abuel, who plays the role of Gutierrez’s cousin Troy.
Playing Cronus, Jennings is thankful to the show for allowing him to nurture his action skills. “Masaya ako na napunta ako sa pagka-modern na action series,” he said, adding that he is happy for being allowed to do action scenes in the series.
Jake Cuenca, who plays the major character Eros, gave props to the show’s directors for making sure it is always top-notch action they deliver. “It’s our directors who really motivated us from the beginning, telling us that we wanna raise the standards of action, we wanna make this a global thing,” he shared.
“They motivated us. Kumbaga, friname nila ‘yung mindset namin na ganito, so kapag pumupunta kami sa set, all out kami. There is no such thing as just give 50%, it’s jump in there, give a hundred percent…” he added.
Lead star Richard Gutierrez reiterated the main objective of the show, which has been the cast’s guiding inspiration ever since they started taping nine months ago.
“For me naman, since day 1, our objective really was to elevate the action genre in the Philippines. Kasi nakita namin, na parang nakakalimutan yata ng mga tao na kaya din ng mga Pinoy na sumabay sa ibang bansa, in terms of action,” he shared, noting that many Filipinos are star choreographers in Hollywood and Western cinema, which only means Filipinos are truly capable of setting own legacy in the action genre.
Gutierrez then teased about what is in store on the next season of the top rating primetime series, saying, “Pinapromise po namin sa inyo, this coming season, mas malupit pang action ang aabangan.”
The brand-new season of ‘The Iron Heart’ is set to commence on air this July 1, with its primary location now set in the beautiful province of Iloilo. The series filmed its entire first season in the province of Cebu.
