EXCLUSIVE: RK Bagatsing hopes mainstream and indie films will continue to collaborate

Gary Ann  Lastrilla

<img src='' alt='100816-RKBagatsing.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>From the daytime TV series <a href='bemylady.abs-cbn.com'>Be My Lady</a>, actor RK Bagatsing is backon the big screen with the movie ApocalypseChild, set to hit local theaters on October 26.Playing the role of Rich who grew up inBaler, RK’s character is the childhood buddy of Ford, played by Sid Lucero.However, as Rich’s father is strict, he was sent abroad to study while Ford,who will grow to be a surfer instructor, was left behind. Many years later, hereturns home.“’Nung umalis si Rich, medyo may mga hindipagkakaintindihan ‘yung relationship namin dalawa (ni Ford) so ‘pagbalik ko, medyona-relive ‘yung mga moments na ‘yun and we had to face everything. ‘Yungreality of ako bumalik na with a whole new life, a different life and si Ford,gano’n pa rin ‘yung buhay niya so medyo ako ‘yung nanggulo sa paradise ‘nungBaler.”Preparing for the role, RK said that theygave their own interpretations of their characters. He then watched movies withsimilar portrayals and underwent “chemistry” tests and workshops with hisco-actors.Since the movie which won Best Picture andthree more awards at the 3rd QCinema International Film Festivalfeatures surfing, RK was asked about his surfing skills.“I’m not a pro but it’s something I do forfun,” he said, adding that nonetheless, he underwent a refresher course of thesport for the film.Meanwhile, RK, who has done independentmovies in the past, said that he misses doing this kind of project.While BeMy Lady has been a big blessing for him as it opened him many doors ofopportunities, he said, “I kind of miss doing indie films kasi if you’re doinga character for like almost a year, medyo may what if ka, eh. Like what ifganitong story, bagong script, ganyan and I see my friends sa indie likedumadaan na ‘yung iba’t ibang mga festivals, medyo namimiss ko.”When asked about his looking forward towinning his own award, the actor answered, “I don’t really look forward towinning an award but I just want to keep on working. Kasi ‘pag hindi kanagtatrabaho, medyo napupurol ‘yung craft mo, eh and there’s so many scriptsout there, so many good filmmakers and I want to work with them all if there’sa chance.”With the recognitions that movies like Ma’ Rosa and Ang Babaeng Humayo receive, RK hopes that the line betweenmainstream and independent movies will eventually be gone. “Medyo na-bu-blur na‘yung lines between mainstream and indie so it’s really a good turning pointfor both parties actually and eventually, I hope wala ng line ‘yun. Talagangmagcollaborate na pareho and make more movies together,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

Preparing for the role, RK said that theygave their own interpretations of their characters. He then watched movies withsimilar portrayals and underwent “chemistry” tests and workshops with hisco-actors.Since the movie which won Best Picture andthree more awards at the 3rd QCinema International Film Festivalfeatures surfing, RK was asked about his surfing skills.“I’m not a pro but it’s something I do forfun,” he said, adding that nonetheless, he underwent a refresher course of thesport for the film.Meanwhile, RK, who has done independentmovies in the past, said that he misses doing this kind of project.While BeMy Lady has been a big blessing for him as it opened him many doors ofopportunities, he said, “I kind of miss doing indie films kasi if you’re doinga character for like almost a year, medyo may what if ka, eh. Like what ifganitong story, bagong script, ganyan and I see my friends sa indie likedumadaan na ‘yung iba’t ibang mga festivals, medyo namimiss ko.”When asked about his looking forward towinning his own award, the actor answered, “I don’t really look forward towinning an award but I just want to keep on working. Kasi ‘pag hindi kanagtatrabaho, medyo napupurol ‘yung craft mo, eh and there’s so many scriptsout there, so many good filmmakers and I want to work with them all if there’sa chance.”With the recognitions that movies like Ma’ Rosa and Ang Babaeng Humayo receive, RK hopes that the line betweenmainstream and independent movies will eventually be gone. “Medyo na-bu-blur na‘yung lines between mainstream and indie so it’s really a good turning pointfor both parties actually and eventually, I hope wala ng line ‘yun. Talagangmagcollaborate na pareho and make more movies together,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

<img src='' alt='100816-RKBagatsing.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>From the daytime TV series <a href='bemylady.abs-cbn.com'>Be My Lady</a>, actor RK Bagatsing is backon the big screen with the movie ApocalypseChild, set to hit local theaters on October 26.Playing the role of Rich who grew up inBaler, RK’s character is the childhood buddy of Ford, played by Sid Lucero.However, as Rich’s father is strict, he was sent abroad to study while Ford,who will grow to be a surfer instructor, was left behind. Many years later, hereturns home.“’Nung umalis si Rich, medyo may mga hindipagkakaintindihan ‘yung relationship namin dalawa (ni Ford) so ‘pagbalik ko, medyona-relive ‘yung mga moments na ‘yun and we had to face everything. ‘Yungreality of ako bumalik na with a whole new life, a different life and si Ford,gano’n pa rin ‘yung buhay niya so medyo ako ‘yung nanggulo sa paradise ‘nungBaler.”

EXCLUSIVE: RK Bagatsing hopes mainstream and indie films will continue to collaborate | PUSH.COM.PH