It felt “surreal” for John Arcilla to finally see himself in the much-anticipated Hollywood action movie, The Bourne Legacy.

The Filipino actor was beaming when he talked about the action thriller where he shares a little screen time with Hollywood lead stars Jeremy Renner and Rachel Weisz.

“Parang surreal, e. Sobrang nakaka-excite kapag nanonood ka ng isang Hollywood film—tapos nakikita mo yung bansa mo, yung sarili mo, ibang klase,” John said at the Philippine premiere of The Bourne Legacy held at the Resorts World Manila last August 5.

He also lauded the fast-paced motorcycle chase scene that began on Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard and ended at the Navotas Fish Port.

“Sabi ko nga itong motorcycle chase na 'to, sa lahat ng international films na napanood ko, parang ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganun ka-superb.

"Ang karaniwan kasi, car chase, pero ito, motorcycle chase na may jeep, may police patrol car. Parang natabunan niya yung buong istorya, yung sa motorcycle chase lang na yun. Exciting!”

Aside from celebrating his participation in this international project, John also takes pride to see the Philippines featured prominently in this fourth installment of the Bourne franchise.

Even if the slums of Metro Manila are prominently seen in the movie, John believes that the country's picturesque landscape will outweigh the impact that the slums may leave.

“Exciting, kasi after so long, ngayong lang ulit tayo nagkaroon ng mainstream Hollywood movie na mahaba ang exposure ng Metro Manila.

“Parang surreal talaga na, ‘Wow, andun ako sa isang Hollywood film!’ Tapos ang ganda-ganda nung Maynila…bilang isang Pinoy, ‘Ito ba talaga yung itsura ng Maynila?’

“Gusto ko rin matutunan ng mga Filipino na hindi nakakatakot makita yung mahihirap na part ng Pilipinas, yung poor areas.

“In the first place, 'pinakita rin yung magagandang places, tulad ng Palawan.

"Maganda nga ‘yan, kasi nakikita sa buong mundo yung istura ng dalawang part ng Pilipinas—at para ma-solve natin kung ayaw natin talaga ng kahirapan.”

He was himself stunned by the cinematography showing El Nido in the last part of the film.

"Yung Pilipinas, makikita ng buong mundo. Ang kagandahan nito, bumawi tayo nung ending. Parang suddenly, nakakita sila ng paradise sa gitna ng Pilipinas, wow!”

GOOD FEEDBACK FROM CO-STARS. In The Bourne Legacy, John has a minor role as the chief security guard of a laboratory. It is in this laboratory that Rachel Weisz is a chemist.