MANILA — Sassa Gurl stepped into her “most serious” and “demure” role yet in “Bar Boys: After School,” the sequel to the 2017 film “Bar Boys.”
According to the content creator turned actress, director Kip Oebanda offered her the role after they worked together in the Cinemalaya film “Balota.”
“Super nahirapan ako nung una. Hindi ko alam paano mag-‘yes’ kasi wala akong idea paano maging seryoso,” she said on Wednesday during the film's media conference in Quezon City. “Pero sabi ni Direk, kaya ko daw. Happy siya doon sa Balota na political ‘yong background and he felt ready na ako mag serious.”
In the entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Sassa Gurl portrays Trisha Perez, a trans woman studying in law school.
“I want this role to be truthful. Gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko gawin sa Philippine cinema,” she explained. “Special sa’kin si Trisha. Bilang trans woman, danas ko ‘to. Nangarap din ako maging law student—mahirap, mahal, at may sariling challenges. Mahirap law school lalo na kung trans ka. Saludo ako sa trans women na tuloy ang pag-aaral.”
Sassa Gurl worked closely with Oebanda to prepare for the role.
“Binigyan niya ako workshops and yung training namin. Very demure na ako,” she recalled.
The actress believes the sequel will resonate with Filipinos.
“It exposes the lives of ordinary Filipino people. May message siyang relatable. When people relate, we form communities and we show them truth,” she said. “‘Bar Boys’ is for everyone—it’s a message and a love letter to our country.”
“Bar Boys: After School” stars the original cast including Odette Khan, Carlo Aquino, Enzo Pineda, Kean Cipriano, and Rocco Nacino.
LOOK: Emilio Daez joins cast of 'Bar Boys: After School'
Also joining them are Emilio Daez, Benedix Ramos, Will Ashley, among others.