After his Hollywood debut in “Monarch,” Inigo Pascual is excited to be working on a new project in the Philippines, Joel Lamangan’s latest film “Fatherland.”
Filming is already in full swing for the father-and-son story, in which Inigo plays a US-bred Filipino trying to find himself by reconnecting with his absentee dad, portrayed by veteran actor Allen Dizon, in the Philippines.
Written by Roy Iglesias and co-produced by Benjie Austria’s Bentria Productions and Harlene Bautista’s Heaven’s Best Entertainment, “Fatherland” features an acting powerhouse cast ensemble, including Cherry Pie Picache, Angel Aquino Mercedes Cabral, Max Eigenmann, Richard Yap, Ara Mina, Jeric Gonzales, among others.
The actor-singer shared that he was already back in the United States when he received the offer to join the film.
“Actually, sobrang bilis ng mga pangyayari. It was the day that I arrived in the States. I was here two weeks ago for my Heartbreak Trilogy (album) launch. Kung alam ko lang na magkakaroon ng pelikula, sana nag-stay na lang po ako dito. Pero bumalik po ako ng Amerika at pagkadating ng pagdating ko sa airport, my handler called and said there was an offer.”
The Cornerstone artist said that he usually takes time to think things through before making decisions. However, this project felt different that he immediately said yes.
“Medyo weird kasi hindi ko siya pinag-isipan… there was something about the story of this movie na sabi ko sobrang ganda niya. Hindi siya yung typical na nagagawa ko dati na puro love team.”
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He sees the role as an opportunity to showcase a different side of himself. “To be given this kind of role is an opportunity for me to show a different side of me. Perhaps all of us actors have waited a long time to be given a project like this to showcase our craft.”
His father, Piolo Pascual, was thrilled about his son’s new project, especially because it meant Inigo would be working in the Philippines again.
The young actor gets instructions on the set from director Joel Lamangan. ‘Direk Joel just told me not to be afraid to ask questions,’ Inigo says of the veteran filmmaker.
“My dad was very, very excited. Knowing that I’d be working again in the Philippines, he said, ‘It’s good to see you working in the Philippines.’ Working with direk Joey, my co-actors, he was very happy. My dad is always excited every time I get to work with people that he’s worked with. And nakakatuwa rin kasi palagi nilang sinasabi, ‘Regards sa tatay mo,’ so masarap sa pakiramdam.”
Inigo also knew that he had to be fully prepared coming into the set, especially after hearing stories about how strict and exacting direk Joel can be.
He recalled his father’s advice, “When I heard it was direk Joel, right away I asked Papa how it was working with him. They were able to work in ‘Mila’ (in 2001 with screenplay by National Artist for Film Ricky Lee). Then he said, ‘With direk Joel, he’s old school. You need to be prepared with your lines, you need to be mentally prepared. You can’t show up on set lutang (feeling out of it). You really need to know what you’re doing as an actor.
“And I think one of the treasures we have here in the Philippines is having directors like that, who lead and don’t just make films for the sake of making them.”
Inigo also found himself relating to his character as someone who was raised in the US but eventually made his way back to the Philippines.
“On the surface, Amboy. (Direk Joel said) since I keep going back and forth to the States, and you grew up in America, it’s kind of expected that you’re ‘amboy’ (American). But the character I’m going to portray is very deep. My dad (Allen) here, I have very few memories of him.
“And in this story, my mom is gone, and my hunger to know another side of me, which is my dad, will drive the film. And I’ll see that my dad lived so many lives, and how do I take that in as someone who didn’t actually have memories with someone I longed for, for such a long time.”
Inigo further revealed how his own experiences with his real-life father helped connect with the story.
“Siguro po naisip ko rin yun (yung relationship with my father) because when I told Papa the story, sabi ko si Papa rin naman maraming personality in a good way as an actor. Ang daming versions of him yung napapanood natin. And then his role in my life. He’s my idol, my mentor.
“But maybe in a way, I’m really trying to relate my life to my character Alex because, you know, I didn’t grow up with my dad by my side. I spent many years in the States, away from my dad who was (here) in the Philippines.
“So, I’m excited about how I can play around this character and connect it to my own experiences, growing up having my dad be this superstar that he is, this bachelor. Minsan ano yan, eh, parang ako pa yung… sasabihin ko, ‘Pa, parang ako yung tatay mo (laughs).’”
Unlike his character, who also learns about his father through the stories of other characters in the film, Inigo joked that he doesn’t need to seek out information. Instead, stories about his dad from industry colleagues come to him unsolicited.
Inigo with co-star Arabella Davao, who will play his love interest.
“Hindi ko siya hinahanap, kusang dumadating sa akin (laughs). I once worked with someone who played my mother — I’m not going to name names — who told me, ‘I was your dad’s girlfriend,’ and then described my father’s old room. Yes, too much information (laughs)! I just said, ‘Okay po, okay.’ She even remembered the poster on the back of the door (laughs). So, these stories just come to me naturally.”
When asked if he has encountered women who confess to having a crush on his father during his matinee idol days, he jokingly said, “Yes. Maraming nagpapakilala na Nanay ko.”
Other cast members of the film are Yasser Marta, Kazel Kinouchi, Abed Green, Jim Pebanco, Arabella Davao and Bo Bautista.
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