November 29, 2024 | 12:00am
The title role in “Idol,” the true-to-life film of singing star April Boy Regino, did not land on a silver platter in the lap of young acting upstart John Arcenas.
Out of the 27 who auditioned for the lead role in “Idol,” John fortunately played the character. The newbie actor who is making his big screen debut cannot be thankful enough to land the part.
“Kilala ko po si April Boy even before,” John acknowledged. “April Boy is the idol of my father. Kaya noong nagsisimula pa lang akong kumanta, naririnig ko na ang mga songs ni April Boy.”
John witnessed the challenging auditions when he was lining up to try his luck.
“Noong nasa pila ako at hawak ko ang number ko, iba talaga ang kaba ko. Who doesn’t know April Boy Regino? I know it’s a big responsibility to portray him. I am so blessed and we’re able to finish the film well.”
John met the other artists who previously impersonated April Boy, especially those who joined “Pilipinas Got Talent.”
The preparations to portray April Boy on the big screen was admittedly challenging for John.
“I attended vocal lessons to attain how April Boy’s voice when he sings because his voice was so distinct. I even doubted myself if I could do it. Then I got to being close to doing his voice when I was singing.”
Meanwhile, another newcomer, Kate Yalung, was a no-brainer to play Madelyn Regino, from the time she showed up in the office of the producer.
Kate, who is a member of the Yalung family of showbiz, marks her film debut in “Idol.”
“Every time I stepped on the set while we were shooting, I would feel that way. Ang lakas ng kaba ko. But once I’d hear, ‘Action,’ nag-iiba na ang anyo ko.”
As Madelyn, Kate plays April Boy’s first and last love. “What I learned from this film is to constantly acknowledge your family,” Kate said. “Cherish every moment with your family. Don’t turn your backs on them because in the end, they will be the ones to help you.”
Kate got to talk with the real Madelyn Regino before they started filming. “You could really see in her eyes how much she loves April Boy,” Kate shared. “She was teaching me how to do a particular scene with April Boy.”
Kate was overwhelmed after she saw the outcome of “Idol” on the big screen. She found the result unbelievable.
Meanwhile, John was simply thankful with the result of his big screen debut. “When I saw myself onscreen, the first thing I said, this would not have been possible without April Boy.”
John felt disappointed when “Idol” was not selected as one of the official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). “But I looked at it as a blessing in disguise,” he said.
“With the help of our executive producer (Marynette Gamboa) and my manager (Tyrone Escalante), I know they will guide us until this film gets to be shown.”
The haunting theme, Umiiyak ang Puso, was John’s favorite April Boy song, which the latter wrote when he felt he turned his back from the Lord.
Veteran actor Efren Reyes Jr. is proud to complete “Idol,” his directorial debut which he also wrote. Directing is not far from his background, since his father, Efren Reyes, was one of the first directors of action king Fernando Poe Jr.
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