Rising Viva artists Rabin Angeles and Angela Muji are set to make their big-screen debut in ‘A Werewolf Boy’, the Filipino adaptation of the 2012 South Korean hit originally led by Song Joong-ki and Park Bo-young.
Produced by Viva Films and directed by Crisanto B. Aquino, the Philippine remake was announced in September 2025 following the finale of the actors’ series ‘Seducing Drake Palma’. Lock-in filming took place in Taal, Batangas—an environment that challenged both first-time movie lead stars and revealed surprising traits about each other.
Rabin shared that while he had experienced lock-in taping before, this was his first time doing it as a lead actor—and the demands were intense.
“Pag lock-in, kailangan mo talagang mag-lock-in sa character mo. Ilang araw kong dala-dala si Boy,” he said. “Ang hirap kasi hindi ka halos nagsasalita, at iba ‘yung galaw ko. Lahat kalkulado—kung paano ako maglakad, kumain, tumayo. Sobrang komplikado ng role.”
He revealed he deliberately lost weight for the character and often went barefoot between takes to maintain his transformation.
“Ilang araw akong nakapaa… kapag kailangan ng dumi sa scene, ako mismo dumudumihan sa sarili ko,” he said, laughing.
The intensity followed him even after filming wrapped. On his first taping day for ‘Mutya ng Section E’, he admitted he still carried the werewolf character mentally. “Dala-dala ko pa siya,” Rabin said.
For Angela, the experience was entirely new.
“First time ko po talaga,” she shared. “Iba po pagdating sa movie compared sa series. Lock-in pa siya, so sunod-sunod.”
Despite exhaustion, Angela said she pushed through each day, treating the project as a learning experience and her chance to prove herself in film after gaining popularity on television.
The lock-in setup also led to unexpected discoveries between the two young actors.
Angela described Rabin as “generous” and “extra-sweet,” noting how dedicated he was to embodying his character. Rabin, meanwhile, admired Angela’s ability to keep the team’s energy up despite long hours and fatigue.
“Lahat kami pagod na, pero siya ‘yung nagpapasaya sa mga tao,” Rabin recalled. “Kinakausap niya isa-isa, ‘Okay ka pa ba? Kaya ‘yan!’”
Angela admitted she was surprised by his words.
“Hindi ko nafifeel na nagiging inspirasyon ako,” she said. “Noong narinig ko ‘yun, parang hindi ako makapaniwala.”
They also exchanged lighthearted stories about how Angela became a “favorite” of mosquitoes during the shoot, with her legs often covered in bites. Rabin teased her about it, saying it was the only “weird” discovery he made about her.
The South Korean ‘A Werewolf Boy’ remains one of the most successful melodramas in Korean cinema. Director Crisanto B. Aquino has said that the Filipino adaptation will highlight local family dynamics and rural settings to make the story resonate with Filipino audiences.
For Rabin, stepping into a role once portrayed by Song Joong-ki was intimidating. Angela, meanwhile, embraced the chance to transition from television to film with a role that demanded emotional depth and consistency.
Their Batangas lock-in may have been challenging, but Rabin and Angela agree it was worth it. The experience not only pushed their limits but also strengthened their chemistry and teamwork—qualities that could define their rise as emerging stars in Philippine cinema.
As Rabin summed up, “Sobrang komplikado po ‘yung role na ‘yun, kaya ang hirap niya.”
But with Angela’s optimism and Rabin’s dedication, both actors walked away with renewed confidence—and a deeper appreciation for each other.
