Kapuso Action Hero Ruru Madrid recently recounted a memorable and intense experience with veteran actor Phillip Salvador during his time on the GMA Network reality talent show ‘Protégé.’
Ruru, who was mentored by Phillip on the show, shared the incident on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda’ last Thursday, just a day before the explosive finale of his hit GMA Prime series ‘Black Rider,’ which concluded on Friday.
The young action star vividly remembered the powerful slap he received from Phillip Salvador during an audition. With Phillip delivering the slap to help Ruru bring out his emotions for their scene.
“Sinampal dahil nag-o-audition ako. Tapos siguro hindi ko makuha ‘yung eksena, it was the very first time,” recalled Ruru.
He continued, “Hindi siguro lumalabas ‘yung emosyon ko. Ang monologue is pinabasa sa akin, about sa tatay na naglalasing.”
In the scene, Ruru had to confront Phillip, who played his father. As an inexperienced actor at the time, Phillip felt Ruru’s emotions were lacking.
“Sabi niya, ‘Isipin mo, ako ang tatay mo.’ Tumayo siya, lumapit siya sa akin, line (nagbitaw ng dialogue). Pagkasabi ko ng ‘Alam mo ‘Tay,’ Pang! (bigla siyang sinampal ni Phillip). Pagsampal niya sa aking ganu’n, siyempre, first time eh, so hindi ko alam kung ano ang ire-react ko. Pero ang ginawa ko, itinuloy ko ‘yung eksena,” narrated Ruru.
Caught off guard, Ruru didn’t know how to react but instinctively continued the scene.
“Ang ginawa ko (itinuloy ang eksena), ‘Kita mo sinampal mo ‘ko! Bakit mo ‘ko ginaganito?’ Naiiyak na talaga ako sa eksena,” Ruru shared.
Phillip’s reaction was positive, acknowledging the raw emotion that finally came through. “Sabi niya, ‘Good! ‘Yan ‘yung hinahanap ko sa ‘yo,’” Phillip had told him.
Ruru also mentioned how the veteran actor taught him breathing exercises to avoid fatigue during action scenes.
“Ang sinasabi kasi ni Tatay Ipe, para magmukhang lagi kang nasa moment o lagi kang nasa eksena, dapat laging nakabuka ‘yung bibig, humihinga ka sa mouth,” Ruru explained. “Kahit daw pictorial lang, para ramdam na ramdam mo. Ayaw niya ng nakasarado ang bibig.”
Phillip Salvador played the role of Mariano in ‘Black Rider,’ serving as Elias’s (Ruru) mentor in combat.
Reflecting on their journey, Phillip expressed his pride in Ruru’s growth: “Ako happy ako talaga. I’m grateful na nagkasama tayo. Being your mentor sa ‘Protégé.’ Isipin mo 14 years old ito noong kinuha ko at sabi ko sa kaniya, ‘Magiging action star ka.’”
