Since he is wrapping up ABS-CBN's teleserye Since I Found You, Piolo Pascual is now gearing up for his upcoming film about the Marawi siege titled Children of the Lake.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the story conference of the film held recently at the Cornerstone office, Piolo said about his character:
"Sundalo ako. Classmates ko sina Jess Mendoza, Marc Felix. Team leader namin si Kuya Robin [Padilla], kasama namin si Mylene.
"We're there, the whole entire time during the Siege [of Marawi]."
The ABS-CBN actor said about his character: "He's the more violent one.
"He's been in a lot of wars. This time, he's more of a vigilante. He wants to take revenge and take matters into his own hands. I just want to take revenge and finish this war and save my country."
How are they preparing for this action war film?
"We've been doing a lot of training like gun handling. Kanina lang, we did AirSoft and we did a simulation. We went firing the other day."
Piolo says he enjoys shooting action scenes such as those he did for past projects such as the ABS-CBN teleserye Lobo (2008).
"All my guns we used. I love to train. I love to get sweaty. I'm just really motivated. I grew up watching war movies and I wanted to portray a soldier."
How is it like for Piolo being an actor and a co-producer at the same time?
"Mahirap. Ginawa ko 'yan sa Manila [2009]. Pag umulan, nandun kami sa Malabon, dumpsite. Sobrang shallow ng inuupuan namin.
"I couldn't call na packup kasi made-delay. May mga ganung hazards. Pag producer ka, wala kang cutoff.
"Ang hirap pag producer ka, nakikita mo yung expenses, pag nade-delay, mas malaki ang gastos. But when you see the support of a lot of people, nawawala ang pagod mo."
The cast members of Children of the Lake will be shooting at actual Ground Zero in Marawi City.
"We'll be there for about a month. I'm going to be there for a whole month. Around 100 people will be there."
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked Piolo how big is their budget for their Marawi movie.
He disclosed, "More than P50 million. It's ambitious."
Piolo then pointed out that the movie Children of the Lake is part of Robin's Tindig Marawi project, a campaign to help rebuild war-torn Marawi City.
"Tindig Marawi itself is an ambitious project. We need to come up with P250 million to put up 100 houses for the displaced people. All the proceeds will go to the rehabilitation of Marawi."
Are there plans for Piolo to do a movie with Claudine Barretto in the future?
"Wala pa, e. I'm still relying on what my management is telling me.
"ABS-CBN hasn't told me anything with regards to the film that I'll be doing after the soap [Since I Found You]."
Is he be open to reuniting with Claudine for a movie?
"Of course! Oo naman, Clau yun. Clau helped me a lot. Lifetime na yun.
"The kind of relationship that I have with Claudine, it's gonna be lifetime."
In a previous interview, Piolo revealed that he has already several movies lined up for him.
"Meron akong dalawang na na-oohan na magandang proyekto. Another one with Lav [Diaz], another one with Raya Martin, yung mga indie directors.
"And, of course, Marawi movie [referring to Children of the Lake]."
Piolo previously worked with Lav Diaz for the 2018 movie Ang Panahon ng Halimaw and the 2016 film Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis.
As for Raya Martin, he directed the 2009 film Manila, which Piolo produced.
Piolo is also slated to do another movie with the film production arm of ABS-CBN.
"Naghihintay din ako because depende yun sa schedule, e, pero nakatango pa ko ng isa pang pelikula sa Star Cinema."
