‘I am just happy to help him when he told me na nag-back out ang original na artista niya — Coco Martin’
COCO Martin
COCO Martin did not have any second thoughts to accept the lead role in Director Brillante Mendoza’s “Apag (Feast)” even if he were just a replacement for Aljur Abrenica.
“Of course, Direk Dante is my mentor,” he said. “He gave me my first breaks in ‘Masahista’ and ‘Kinatay’ for which I won acting awards, so I am just happy to help him when he told me na nag-back out ang original na artista niya.”
“Apag” is an entry in the coming Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. Brillante reveals that he panicked when Aljur suddenly backed out.
“Walang sinabing reason,” he says. “So noong nataranta ako, kasi naka-set up na ang shooting, tapos biglang walang lead actor, I called up Coco. Sabi ko, may problema ako. Ang artista ko, biglang nag-back out. He said, sige, ako na gaganap diyan, aayusin ko ang schedule ko. So ayun, nag-shooting kami bigla na kasama siya kahit Pasko. Wala siyang naging Christmas vacation from his taping break sa ‘Probinsyano’. Naging blessing in disguise ang pag-back out ni Aljur with Coco no less as his replacement.”
“Apag” is a family drama about guilt, justice, faith and forgiveness. Coco plays Rafael, the rich owner of a successful Pampango restaurant. In a vehicular accident, he kills a lowly tricycle driver. Afraid of going to prison, it’s his dad Alfredo (Lito Lapid), who owns up to the crime and goes to jail.
Brillante says the word Apag really means “hapag” or dining table’. It is his personal homage to Philippine culture, specially to his own roots as a Pampangueno. The film highlights sumptuous Kapampangan dishes and also pays tribute to traditional family values.
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Andrew Muhlach is the youngest son of Cheng Muhlach’s nine kids. His more famous brother in showbiz is Aga Muhlach. He is turning 25 in June and started acting as a 5-year old child star.
“I did teleseryes like ‘Super Inggo’ and ‘Pieta’ and the movie ‘Super Noypi’ sa Regal,” he says. “At 11, I stopped kasi awkward stage for me, but I tried theatre. I returned to the movies when I was 15 in ‘Lumayo Ka Nga Sa Akin’ with Maricel Soriano. I got to college taking up entrepreneurship but I stopped nung third year na ako kasi dumami ang projects ko.”
His primary problem growing up is his weight. “Tabain kasi ako, e. Papayat-tataba-papayat. As of now, I’ve lost 15 kilos pero mahirap i-maintain. So I play basketball everyday.”
He’s been living alone since their dad passed. “I was the one living with him when he died in 2018 at nagsosolo na ako mula noon.”
No lovelife? “Wala, e. Walang nakikita, walang dumarating. And my career is really my priority now kasi sunod-sunod ang projects na binibigay sa akin ng Viva.”
Andrew and his gang is in the comedy, “Working Boys 2, Choose Your Papa,” now showing in theaters nationwide.
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The Summer Metro Manila Film Festival will start on Black Saturday, April 8, until April 18.
The eight entries are:
“About Us But Not About Us” – Written and directed by Jun Lana, Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas star an LGBT story.
“Yung Libro sa Napanood Ko” – a romance-drama written and directed by Bela Padilla who also stars in the lead role. With Lorna Tolentino as her mother who worked in Korea, with Korean actor Yoo Min Gon.
“Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko” – Written and directed by Joven Tan, with RK Bagatsing and Meg Imperial. This is a musical based on the songs of singer-songwriter Rey Valera.
“Apag (Feast)” – Directed by Brillante Mendoza, this is a family drama starring Lito Lapid, Jaclyn Jose, Coco Martin,Gina Pareno, Gladys Reyes, Shaina Magdayao, Mercedes Cabral, Vince Rillon, Joseph Marco, Julio Diaz.
“Here Comes the Groom” – Written and directed by Chris Martinez, this is a comedy about body switches starring Eugene Domingo, Enchong Dee, Keempee de Leon, Nico Antonio, Tony Labrusca, Gladys Reyes, Maris Racal, Kim Atienza, Awra Briguela, Fino Herrera.
“Unravel: A Swiss Side Story” – directed by RC de los Reyes and filmed in Switzerland, it is about suicide starring Gerald Anderson and Kylie Padilla.
“Single Bells” – directed by Fifth Solomon, it’s a romantic comedy starring Alex Gonzaga, Angeline Quinto and Aljur Abrenica.
“Love You Long Time” – directed by JP Habac, this is a love story starring Carlo Aquino and Eisel Serrano.
There will be a parade of stars to be held on April 2, along Commonwealth Avenue. The awards night will be on April 11 at the New Frontier Theater.
