Singer-actor Marlo Mortel marked a milestone in his career as he took on his first-ever on-screen kissing scene in the Viva Movie Box microdrama ‘Caught in the Act’, his debut project under Viva Artists Agency.
Mortel stars opposite fellow Viva signee Rita Daniela in the series, which is directed by Temi Cruz Abad and now streaming on Viva Movie Box.
During the show’s press conference on April 14, Mortel admitted feeling pressure while filming the intimate scene, describing it as the most challenging part of the project.
“Most challenging, definitely, ay [’yong kissing scene]. Doon talaga ako na-pe-pressure. Hindi ko alam kasi important din talaga sa akin ’yong mga ganoong firsts, kahit in real life. So, kahit kasi smack, wala pa ako on-screen, ever, as in. So, kahit noong una naming smack, naiilang ako. Tapos, bago ’yong pinaka-torrid, nakailang mali ako,” he said.
He added that the pressure affected his focus even before the actual scene.
“Noong nagtake na nga, noong paghigit ko kay Rita, ay ang intense pala!” he shared, noting that he was more preoccupied with executing the kiss than delivering his lines.
Daniela, for her part, made sure her co-star felt comfortable throughout the process.
“Ayoko rin naman ma-feel niya naman, of course, first and foremost, to feel uncomfortable,” she said. “Malaking bagay na brinief kami ni direk kung ano talaga ’yong gusto niyang makuha sa eksena na ’yon… kung paano namin gagawin ’yong eksena na ’yon.”
She also praised Mortel’s professionalism despite his nerves.
“Tuloy kami ng tuloy pero, in fairness naman, [kahit] kinakabahan [si Marlo], talagang tinutuloy niya talaga, inalaban niya, naramdaman ko ’yon. Hindi siya talaga tumigil… para siyang sumasayaw,” she said.
Mortel even recalled a moment when they unintentionally extended the scene after failing to hear the director call “cut.”
“I really try to be very professional pagka sa work so, siyempre, ang tagal na ng eksena… eh walang cut. So, siyempre, aamoy-amoyin ko na, kakagat-kagatin ko na kung ano man so may kagatan na nangyari kasi wala kaming naririnig na cut,” he said. “Parang lumabas ’yong ibang Marlo Mortel. But, anyway, I’m very happy with how it ended.”
‘Caught in the Act’ follows the story of Daniel, a seminarian torn between his devotion to God and his growing feelings for Kristin, played by Daniela. The series explores themes of faith, love, and the consequences of difficult choices.
Also starring Marc Acueza, the microdrama is now available for streaming on Viva Movie Box, which offers both subscription and pay-per-episode viewing options.
