Gladys Reyes says Brillante Mendoza rebranded her when she was cast in the crime drama “Apag”
Gladys Reyes made light of the fact that Coco Martin replaced Aljur Abrenica as the lead actor of the crime drama film “Apag.”
Director Brillante Mendoza handpicked Reyes to be the star in this Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry which is produced by Centerstage Productions and the Hongkong International Film Festival Society.
Mendoza expressed her gratitude to Mendoza and Martin during the press con of “Apag” held last March. She says, “Sinabi sa akin ni Direk Brillante, ‘May movie ako. Bida ka.‘ Parang hindi ako makapaniwala kasi si Direk na ang nag-rebrand sa akin sa pelikulang ito dahil wala akong inapi dito. Hindi ako kontrabida. Ibang-iba sa lahat ng mga teleserye na nagawa ko and some of my movies at nakatrabaho ko pa sina Jaclyn Jose, Kuya July [referring to co-actor Julio Diaz].”
She then turned to Martin who was seated a few seats away from her. “Thank you, Coco, tinanggap mo ito. Buti na lang hindi yung isa yung natuloy! Joke lang!” says Reyes with a laugh about Martin replacing Abrenica as the lead actor of “Apag.”
Reyes continues, “Kasi siyempre, iba yung naging impact…gustong-gusto kasi ni Coco. Nakakatuwa na nag-story con kami tapos sinabi na si Coco na ang gaganap. Sobrang answered prayer po lahat ito kaya forever grateful ako kay Direk Brillante for this opportunity.”
The actress also revealed how she prepared for this movie which was shot in Direk Brillante’s home province, Pampanga. “First shooting day namin sa ‘Apag,’ kahit kilay [eyebrow makeup], wala. Kung mapapansin niyo, walang-wala akong makeup at hinaggard ko talaga ang sarili ko dahil sa role ko.
“Kung matatandaan niyo, kakamatay lang ng papa ko nung October, “First week of December, ginawa namin ito,” she recalled. Her father, Sonyer Reyes, passed away on October 25, 2021.
Reyes admitted she was initially hesitant to work with Mendoza since she knows that he does not provide a script for actors to memorize. Instead, he explains the motivations of the character to the actors and they would be the ones to come up with their own lines.
“Natakot nga ako kasi unang-una nga, walang script. Kapampangan ako pero hindi ako kasing galing nina Direk Brillante, yung nasasabi ko minsan, Tagalog-Kapampangan. I really lost weight in the movie kasi nga mahirap, napaka-ano ng pinagdaanan sa asawa. Hindi ka dapat yung handang-handa.
“At nakakaproud na Kabalen ko siya [Direk Brillante], na he is also Kapampangan. Once in a lifetime lang yun, hindi ka laging maoo-offeran ng ganun kaya walang rason na hindi ko tanggapin.
“Supposedly, November kami magsu-shoot pero na-move to December kasi nga si Coco na, lalo talaga akong ginanahan.”
Even though it was her first time to work with Mendoza and her other co-stars, Reyes pointed out that she did not feel awkward with them at all. “First day pa lang namin, super kwento na agad at kwentuhan. Walang ilangan. Kaya nilalagay ko sa mga posts ko, Coco is one of the most humble men I’ve met. Siguro yun ang common denominator nila, yung humility in spite of the success na natamo nila sa career nila. Pero hindi nila ipaparamdam sa iyo na, ‘Uy, si Coco na ako. Si Brillante na ako.’ Walang ganun kaya lalong nakaka-inspire.”
In the awarding ceremony of the first Summer MMFF 2023, Reyes won the Best Actress trophy for playing the role of a wife grieving the loss of her husband who was killed in a car accident caused by the character of Coco Martin.
READ ALSO: Here Are The Winners Of The First Summer MMFF
