Tom Rodriguez shares how his pet dog became part of ‘The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin’

As the main villain in Star Cinema's The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin, Tom Rodriguez admitted he did not hesitate to play a different kind of role. “Actually kahit anong role naman I'm very open and very eager as long as it's going to be something na I would enjoy doing or I would learn something from. Ito naman nung nalaman ko na Direk Wenn Deramas and Vice Ganda tapos kasama pa sila Richard Yap at Nikki Valdez so I immediately said I want to be part of it. Alam kong magiging masaya,” he said.

The 27-year-old host-actor said it as fun to play the role of an international terrorist named Janjaranjan in the film. “Ibang iba yung role ko dito. Kung sanay kayo makita si Tom Rodriguez na nagpapa-cute sa isang rom-com, na seryoso sa isang drama, dito puwes ibang Tom yung makikita niyo dahil hindi lang kontrabida kundi sobrang out-of-the-box, ang hirap ma-explain eh (laughs). Kasi nung sinabi yung movie sa akin, international criminal mastermind ako na parang James Bond so yun yung naisip ko. Naka-suit, yun yung atake. Nung pumunta nako sa set, tinanong ko si direk at sabi niya siyempre slapstick kami. Immediately nag-lightbulb sa utak ko si Austin Powers na kontrabida. Eh siyempre kasama ko yung aso ko sa taping lagi kasi walang nagbabantay sa condo. Sabi ko isama ko na lang kaya? Tapos nung nakita ko yung script, siyempre si Vice Ganda yung ka-opposite ko dito so yung kontrabida niya kailangan mag-match din sa kanya in a way. So ginawa kong loud and very hyper and very energetic na may pitik na I haven't done in any movie. Buti si direk hinahayaan lang niya ako,” he recalled.

With the pressure of being part of the sequel to the top-grossing pinoy movie of all time Tom admitted he wanted to give his best. “Minsan kinakabahan ako, minsan tinanong ko si direk Wenn kung OA ba, na sabihan niya ako and so far he's been very happy and very supportive and sabay namin dinidiskubre kung sino yung character ko na si Janjaranjanjan. Kaya excited din ako na mapanuod ito ng mga tao at siyempre ng pamilya ko at mga mahal ko sa buhay kasi ibang Tom Rodriguez yung makikita nila dito. I'm very happy and proud to be part of this film,” he said.

Known for his enviable physique, Tom said he won't be showing off skin in this movie. “Full suit nga ako eh. Balot na balot ako lagi kaya ang saya (laughs),” he added.

Another unforgettable part of the movie for Tom was getting his two-year-old Yorkshire Terrier Bubbly cast for the movie. “Ang masaya dito pati aso ko kasama eh. Prumo-project rin pala, nagulat ako. Actually lagi ko siyang dala pag walang magbabantay sa kanya sa condo ko. Nung nasa set kami, napag-usapan namin ni direk Wenn kung paano yung role ko sa pelikula na international terrorist na naka-suit, ganun. Medyo Austin powers-type yung napagkasunduan namin, so nung nasa set, naisip ko laging nandito si Bubbly sa lap ko pag nag-do-drawing ako, naisip ko isama ko kaya? Takbo ako sa baba kay direk, pinakita ko siya kay direk sa tent na isama ko na sa parte ng character ko sabi niya okay siya dun,” he explained.

Even though he wasn't trained to be a dog actor, Tom said he was very proud of his pet's first professional job. “Sobrang cooperative nga niya eh nagugulat ako napaka-behaved na aso dun. Kaya parang anak ko na talaga yun eh. Ako yung tatay niya. I named him Bubbly kasi sa lahat ng aso na nandun sa breeders na anlalaki, fluffy at cute, pero siya yung pinaka-runt of the litter. Ang liit niya, gusgusin pero there's something about her personality, napaka-bubbly niya, nakikisabay siya sa lahat ng dogs dun. So sabi ko that's the one I want. May special something na kami doon pa lang nung nakita ko siya. I knew that was my dog,” he said.