Since kicking off 2024 as GMA Public Affairs’ opening salvo, revenge drama ‘Makiling’ has had viewers hooked on each episode, with its teasers earning millions of views online.
Its lead actress, Sultry Leading Lady Elle Villanueva, has captivated the audience with her beauty and effective portrayal of her character, Amira. After being the victim of a group of rich, powerful, and sadistic bullies, Amira has returned to become the powerful CEO of her own company, which is now after her adversaries.
Also earning praise recently for his acting chops is fellow Sparkle artist Royce Cabrera, whose character Ren has been revealed to have a deep, dark secret. A secret that made even his family and friends turn their backs on him.
As one of the Crazy 5, Royce’s character has been attracting the ire of viewers—and rightfully so. Together with Kristoffer Martin, Myrtle Sarrosa, Teejay Marquez, and Claire Castro, Ren made Amira’s life a living hell. He even kidnapped Amira’s grandmother, Lola Ising (Lui Manansala), which threatened her life.
In an upcoming episode of Makiling, where Ren appeals to his rich and powerful relatives for help, the Cinemalaya actor’s acting prowess is admired by his veteran co-stars.
Award-winning actor Mon Confiado, who plays Franco Terra in the series, remarks that Royce is an ‘amazing, gifted’ actor.
“Yung scene namin na nagmamakaawa si Ren (Royce) was a total twist of his character. Grabe yung ibinigay niyang transformation, from his tough character (as one of the Crazy 5) to a weak one begging for our mercy,” shares Mon. “And during that begging scene, hindi bumibitaw si Royce sa emotions niya kahit madaming shots and angles ang aming director. Grabe yung discipline ni Royce as an actor. Ang galing niya!”
Ren is Franco’s nephew, who has taken it upon himself to defend the Terra family – even at the expense of abusing his power in the police force.
All his efforts were in vain, when the Terra family ditched him after a work-related scandal was made public by Amira.
“Napakahusay niya. Carried away kami sa kanyang performance,” says Andrea Del Rosario of Royce when Ren was begging for their mercy. Andrea plays Natalie Terra in the series.
“Naawa talaga ko sa kanya which I was not supposed to feel that way as Natalie but he was so good, of course internally, naramdaman ko yung kaniyang desperation,” she adds.
Royce took his character to another level when Ren had to face his father, Chief Santi Ibarrola, played by Ian de Leon. Authoritarian and a stickler for how men in uniform should behave, Chief Santi wasted no time throwing the book at Ren.
The veteran actor also heaped praises for Royce.
“‘Yung eksana natin na bugbugan, medyo mahirap ‘yun but we pulled it off,” Ian tells Royce. “Dahil sa utmost talent mo, sa pinakita mong galing, pinakita mong 100 percent na dedication doon sa work mo.”
“Hands down ako sa’yo (Royce) dahil pinakita mo lahat ng makakaya mo. And most importantly your unique style of craft. You showed your signature talent,” he adds.
Ian also admires Royce for being a “down to earth actor.”
“Ang galing eh, kasi you wouldn’t expect someone with this caliber doing their craft, doing an acting career na ganoon na yung level ng expertise. Mukhang veteran na rin eh.”
Asked how he was able to pull off the emotionally-charged scenes, Royce shares, “Ni-relax ko ang body and mind ko. Nag water ako ng marami para nasa condition ang sarili ko once na ginawa na namin yung scene. Minemorize ko nang maigi ang lines at inintindi ko ang situation ni Ren para ‘yun ang maging inner monologue ko for the scene.”
He also turned to Direk Conrado Peru for guidance on how to best portray his character that time.
“Inalam ko ang objective ng character ko for that scene. Nagtanong ako kela direk kung anong intensity ng emotion ang gusto nila mangyari and then from there inaral ko siya nang buo before mag take para maging malinaw sa audience yung gustong iparamdam ni Ren for that scene,” he says.
For the Kapuso actor, every role calls for dedication.
“Every role naman na ginagawa ko ay challenging for me kasi iba’t ibang objectives ang meron bawat character. Etong si Ren, ang naging challenge sa akin ay kung papaano ko kailangan i-maintain ‘yung pain and sadness niya kasi halos lahat ng tao na nakapalagid sa kanya ay iniwan na siya. At ang bigat no’n for me para dalhin buong week so kailangan ko mag relax at bantayan din ang emotion ko bilang Royce para hindi madala masyado sa emotion ni Ren,” he ends.
Watch as more intense happenings unfold in Makiling, weekdays, 4 pm after “Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law” on GMA Afternoon Prime. Global Pinoys can catch it via GMA Pinoy TV.
For more updates on GMA Network, visit www.gmanetwork.com.
