The cast of ABS-CBN’s hit action series ‘Incognito’ braved extreme weather conditions during a two-week shoot in Yamagata, Japan—just in time for the show’s high-octane mid-season episodes.
During the mid-season media conference held at Seda Hotel on April 7, the cast shared their behind-the-scenes experiences filming in sub-zero temperatures and under a relentless snowstorm. Although Ian Veneracion arrived late due to a delayed flight from Singapore, he lightened the mood with humor.
“Team, good job, team! Ubos na mga kalaban? Very good!” he quipped, pretending he had just swooped in as the team’s ‘Contractor’ after the action was over.
Richard Gutierrez, one of the show’s leads, detailed the intense conditions they faced: “We shot in Yamagata, Japan—non-stop snowfall every day. We wanted to capture an all-white terrain, and I think we got that… but it came with a real snowstorm. We were tested every day.”
Gutierrez praised the production crew, noting the extra challenge of managing delicate equipment in frigid temperatures. The team had to rush scenes during limited daylight hours while wearing waterproof gloves and gear to avoid frostbite.
Daniel Padilla, who plays one of the elite contractors in the show, shared how physically demanding the experience was: “Hindi mo maiwasan madulas, tuluy-tuloy lang kahit nasemplang ka. Kasama ’yan sa action. Masaya ako sa genre na ito, ang dami kong natutunan sa sarili ko.”
Padilla, who rarely labels himself an action star, admitted the series has been transformative for him. “Nasusubukan ko talaga ’yung sarili ko,” he added.
Cast members Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, Baron Geisler, and Anthony Jennings also opened up about how the experience forged a stronger bond among them.
“Iba na ’yung samahan namin. Kahit saan kami dalhin, magtutulungan kami,” said Padilla.
“First time ko in extreme weather, and seeing the trailer made everything worth it,” added Estrada.
Jennings noted they were proud of the outcome, despite nearly freezing their feet during the shoot. Meanwhile, Baron, who filmed separately in the Philippines, said his scenes will intercut with the Japan sequences.
One of the show’s most talked-about scenes involves the heated exchange between Maris Racal’s character Gab and her father Philip, played by Joel Torre, in Ilonggo.
“It was a surprise! Direk told me on the day that it had to be in Ilonggo. Good thing I’m Bisaya, so there were some familiar words. Sir Joel helped me a lot with the tone,” Racal revealed.
With ‘Incognito’ remaining in Netflix Philippines’ Top 3 most-watched series, the cast expressed enthusiasm for a potential second season—though they’re eager for some rest after months of filming in extreme conditions.
The series is helmed by directors Lester Pimentel Ong, Ian Lorenos, and Wang Yan Bin. A co-production between ABS-CBN’s Star Creatives and Studio Three Sixty, ‘Incognito’ continues to air weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5—and is streaming globally via Netflix and iWantTFC.
