ABS-CBN News
MANILA — ‘Roja’ is all set for its world premiere on Friday, November 21, on Netflix.
Lead actors Donny Pangilinan and Kyle Echarri are feeling all sorts of emotions days before the launch.
“Nakakakaba," Echarri said. "Kasi siyempre hindi pa natin alam kung anong magiging reaction ng mga tao, paano nila tatanggapin 'yung mga ginawa namin. This is something so new for us.”
“There’s so many things tackled here that actually reflects society in general, so I hope people give it a chance I really do,” added Pangilinan.
ABS-CBN News got a glimpse of an action scene that they shot in Subic, Zambales and a first look of the two in their full battle gear.
Pangilinan and Echarri also opened up about not speaking to each other during taping.
“You know when you’re here on the set, nafi-feel mo 'yung parang reality of 'Roja' of what we’re going through,” said Pangilinan. “When I put this suit on, when I put this vest on, including the gun at kasama ko na sina Direk (Law Fajardo) at mga goons, in character na ko.”
Echarri and director Fajardo are reunited after working on "Pamilya Sagrado." Unlike Echarri, this is Pangilinan’s first experience in a full-action project.
Primetime action stars Coco Martin and Jake Cuenca lent their acting and stunt expertise to the two to help them be in their best form.
“I’ve never been a part of this intense action talaga, so for him to give us little bit of notes kung ano ang mga kailangan naming isipin, 'yung mismong mga stance, five levels of galit and it’s very nice of Jake to be there.”
Top of mind, what stuck to them the most?
“Yung tumatak sa 'kin 'yung medyo nagme-method (acting) na kami ni Kyle,” Pangilinan said.
And when it comes to handling guns, Martin gave Pangilinan some tips. “Sa totoong buhay, medyo hindi kita 'yung mukha mo 'di ba? He just taught us na there has to be a way na we do it na, mukhang okay totoo pero kita pa rin 'yung mukha mo.”
He added “When you’re in war, you’re in war. Don’t be scared to break your face. That’s something that I really took into consideration.”
"Roja" will premiere on Netflix on Friday, November 21; on iWant on Saturday, November 22; and on free TV (A2Z and TV5), Kapamilya Channel and Kapamilya Online Live on November 24.