Dindo Arroyo hoped on March 15 that his character ‘Severino’ in ABS-CBN’s action series ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ would survive his apparent death.
In the Kapamilya series, David (played by McCoy De Leon) killed Severino (Arroyo) to stop him from telling Ramon (Christopher De Leon) that he was not the real Tanggol. David shot Severino multiple times, hinting that his chances of survival were slim.
According to the seasoned actor, having Severino on a stretcher means his character might have survived.
“Exit? Hindi pa sigurado ang exit. Kasi ‘di ba pinasok ako sa ambulance tapos hindi naka-cover ang face ko, wala sa body bag. Usually kapag patay ka na, body bag na eh. Hanging pa rin,” he said during the ‘Pagpag 24/7’ media conference.
Although uncertain, it would still hurt him to leave a cast he bonded with over time.
“Masakit kasi isang taon din akong kasama nila eh. It’s not just the work, it’s the family, kumbaga,” lamented the actor.
Next role: A bida
In the possibility of exiting ‘Batang Quiapo,’ Arroyo wishes to play the protagonist in his next project, for it challenges him as an actor.
“Kasi ano eh, mas challenging rin kasi ang bida. Kumbaga, kailangan mong dalhin ang pelikula eh. Sana, sana mabigyan,” he explaned.
He played a protagonist in ‘Macario Sakay,’ a documentary about the Filipino general who joined the revolution against the Spanish invaders in 1896.
Somehow, he was satisfied with the opportunity given to him. He was sad about leaving but was happy to show his craft.
“Pero ‘yung malungkot ako? Hindi. Kasi I was given a year to prove my craft and my existence doon sa teleserye.”
Arroyo has been in the industry for at least 35 years, having been part of the 1989 flick “Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Elias Paniki.” The secret to his longevity was his desire to learn.
“Siguro the secret kaya andito ako kasi I get to learn pa rin and study pa rin hanggang ngayon para gumanda ang trabaho ko.”
The veteran actor is part of Vivamax’s ‘Pagpag 24/7.’ Joining him is a new generation of artists led by Danita Paner, Jerald Napoles, Wilbert Ross, Nicco Manalo, and Nikko Natividad.
‘Pagpag 24/7’ will be shown in cinemas starting March 21.