On January 24, Viva actor Albie Casiño discussed what it was like transferring to Viva Artist Agency and working on his recent Vivamax project.
At the media event for Salawahan, which LionhearTV covered, Casiño remarked how ready he was to work on any project Viva would offer him, citing his acting experience.
“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, I can do both. Di ba? Feeling ko naman that’s what I pride myself on as an actor. I’m not the best actor, but I’d like to think na malalim ‘yung range ko.
“When I won the best actor award–that was for MMK, I played a transgender woman. I had long hair, I had the nails, I had the heels, and then my last project– with ABS, it was Init sa Magdamag, I was Yam Concepcion’s gay best friend, and then di ba? Here in Linlang, I played the young cocky son of Raymond Bagatsing, and then sa Can’t Buy Me Love, the stoic character that I’m playing.”
He then cited how he balanced his schedule from taping Can’t Buy Me Love and working on his first Vivamax film as a Viva Artist.
“Pinaka naging challenge sa akin is ‘yung schedule and ‘yung location. Kasi nagse-segway ako sa Can’t Buy Me Love at the time. So ‘yun ang pinaka naging challenge sa akin.
“Pero acting wise, wala naman– hindi naman siya naging challenge. For me, magaling naman ‘yung mga nakatrabaho ko, magaling ‘yung director ko. I had so much fun shooting the movie.
“May ibang mga eksena nga na during the story con, bri-ning up ko lang kay Direk, ‘Alam mo Direk, maganda kung maggaganito ‘yung character ko eh.’ Tapos nagulat na lang ako he wrote it na into the script.’ Nagshoot kami, wala sa break down, ‘Tara i-shoot natin ‘yung gusto mo.'”
He then acknowledged that he would get the chance to work with artists from other networks, including Kapuso stars.
“Yes, right now, I’m still doing this show. That’s one of the big things I was considering when signing with Viva, parang, I believe–you can’t grow kasi in your comfort zone, di ba? Para mag-grow ka as person. Diamonds are made under pressure, so I’m thinking gaano na ako katagal sa industriya, I started sa industriya. I started when I was 16, I’m 30 now and 14 years na ko, and I never changed, and I was with ABS the whole time.
“Thank you, sa ABS. I love you guys talaga– you’re my family, but it’s time for me to grow. That’s why I decided to go with Viva because of the opportunity. I don’t want to be [tied down] with a network.”
Casiño signed with Vivamax as one of their artists in September 2023.
He then talked about working with Vivamax stars.
“Masaya katrabaho ang lahat dito, I really enjoyed working with everyone. I also enjoyed working with Direk Jeffrey. That what was everyone saying to me nga eh, ‘Wow first movie mo, Angeli kaagad ‘yung kaano mo.'”
As for their film, Salawahan stars Albie Casiño, Sheila Snow, Itan Rosales, Van Allen Ong, Angeli Khang, and Chloe Jenna.
Under the direction of Jeffrey Hidalgo, Salawahan streams on Vivamax on February 2.
