John Arcilla, may tinanggihang career path sa ABS-CBN para tutukan ang pag-arte

• John Arcilla revealed that he was once considered for a writing position at ABS-CBN
• The actor chose to pursue acting instead of balancing both writing and performing careers
• His background in screenplay writing and character analysis continues to influence his acting process
• Arcilla plays the Salamangkero, a complex antagonist in the MMFF horror film Haunted Carnival

Veteran actor John Arcilla revealed that he could have pursued a career in writing at ABS-CBN but ultimately decided to concentrate on acting, a decision he has never regretted. The 60-year-old performer recently opened up about the professional path he chose and explained how his experience in writing continues to shape his approach to portraying characters.

The revelation came during a pocket press conference for Haunted Carnival, one of the entries in this year's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Arcilla discussed his preparation for the film and highlighted the importance of understanding a character's complete story before bringing it to life on screen.

Although widely recognized for his acting achievements, Arcilla also has an academic background in Mass Communication, with screenplay writing as his major. He further developed his knowledge through acting workshops and screenplay studies under respected mentors.

“Siguro nakatulong din sa akin yung studies ko sa acting sa CCP nung naging Actor’s Workshop Foundation nila ako for several years. Kasi may character analysis kami kay Nonong Padilla, meron kaming script analysis. I graduated sa Mass Communications and actually my major was screenplay writing. And then nag-aral din ako ng screenplay kay, ang teacher ko noon ay si Roy Iglesias, and then naging teacher ko din si Ricky Lee,” he said.

His educational background eventually opened another possible direction in his professional life. Arcilla shared that ABS-CBN had considered him for a writing position, but the network wanted him to decide whether he wanted to pursue writing or acting.

“And naging writer din ako supposedly ng ABS-CBN. Kaya lang, sabi sa akin ng ABS-CBN, ‘John, ano ba talaga ang gusto mo? Um-acting o sumulat?’ Sabi ko, ‘O sige, a-acting na lang ako.’ Pero naging scholar nila ako sa writer’s caravan. Kaya kumbaga, yung natutunan ko sa pagsusulat, ini-inject ko yun sa pag-aaral ng character. So actually, pag ako ay tumitingin sa isang character, kailangan ko malaman yung buong kuwento. Because when I was in college, I did that. I write script, I direct, and I act. Kaya lang siyempre sa professional level nung nandito na ako, parang ayoko ng masyadong madaming ginagawa na parang jack of all trades ka. Kailangan focused ako sa isa,” he added.

Rather than treating his writing experience as a missed opportunity, Arcilla has incorporated the knowledge into his work as an actor. Understanding storytelling allows him to examine the motivations, background, and circumstances of the characters he portrays.

This approach is particularly evident in his latest project, Haunted Carnival, where he takes on the role of Salamangkero. Arcilla described the character as someone whose obsession with entertaining people eventually leads him down a disturbing path.

“Sa maiksing salita, si Salamangkero ay siya yung Haunted Carnival. Hindi mo siya makikita dun madalas, minsan boses lang. Pero nabuo yung haunted carnival dahil sa kanyang insatiable na passion sa pag-e-entertain. In fact, sa sobrang passion niya sa pag-e-entertain, dumating na killing, sa killing spree, as long as nag-e-enjoy siya. Para sa kanya, ang palabas ano na eh, nag-transcend na dun sa ke may mamatay o hindi, palabas pa rin para sa kanya,” he explained.

The actor also credited director Joey de Guzman for involving him in developing the antagonist. Their discussions about the character's unusual personality and background convinced Arcilla that the role offered something different from the villains he had encountered in previous horror films.

“Kasi pinag-usapan namin ito ng maayos nila direk eh. Tinawagan nila ako, in-explain nila sa akin yung character. Sabi sa akin ni direk Joey de Guzman, ‘John, gusto namin makagawa tayo ng kakaibang antagonist or villain sa isang scary movie. Sana yung kakaiba.’ Tapos kinuwento nila na isa siyang dating salamangkero tapos may mga ganitong nangyari s aakin. Siyempre hindi ko na ikukuwento kasi baka ma-pre-empt. So dun actually ako naging interested. Kasi sabi ko, kung gagawa din lang ako ng isang character na nakakatakot na parang normal na sa lahat ng napanuod kong scary movie, parang hindi na challenging. So nagkaisa naman kami,” he admitted.

Beyond his latest acting project, Arcilla also expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming MMFF celebration. Having experienced the festival both as a film participant and a jury member, he emphasized its importance in giving Filipino cinema greater recognition.

“Lagi namang masaya pag MMFF kasi binibigyan mo ng focus yung pelikulang PIlipino na walang ibang kasali. Binibinigyan mo din ng pagkakataon yung mga producers, mga small and big producers, na makagawa ng bagong timpla ng pelikula. And kumbaga, nabibigyan ng importansiya yung ating kulturang PInoy, yung mga values ng Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng iba’t ibang genre. Yun yung masaya dun. Plus, may pera ang mga Pilipino kasi Pasko (laughs) so maraming manunuod, maraming panggastos,” he shared.

John Arcilla is an acclaimed Filipino actor best known for playing the titular role in Heneral Luna. He made history as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian actor to win the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for On the Job: The Missing 8.

In another report, John Arcilla urged authorities to conduct a nationwide investigation into pet crematoriums after animal remains were discovered in Bulacan. More than 25 animals were reportedly found in a vacant lot, with the incident linked to a pet crematorium in Bacoor, Cavite.

Meanwhile, John Arcilla became emotional as he revisited the painful loss of his father and two siblings during the COVID-19 pandemic. He recalled guiding his niece over the phone through a medical emergency involving his sister Teresa while he was away for a lock-in taping.

Source: KAMI.com.gh