Nicco Manalo on working with Jerald Napoles: “Sabay kaming nangangarap nang malaki dati…”
From theater kids with big dreams to comedic partners with a cinema to amuse: long-time bestfriends Jerald Napoles and Nicco Manalo work together for the first time as main leads of VIVA’s horror-comedy film “Pagpag 24/7!”
Previously, the two had starred in Mike Tuviera’s “The Janitor.” They also were in VIVA’s “Instant Daddy” in 2023.
However, they never shared a scene together in “The Janitor” while they only had minimal scenes in “Instant Daddy,” so this will be their first time to appear as a lead duo on the big screen.
During Jerald’s virtual press conference for “Pagpag 24/7”, he highlights the presence of his co-actor and best friend, Nicco, as what makes the movie special from the rest of his filmography.
Jerald says, “Actually, ang pinaka-special na part nitong movie na ito is I am acting with Nicco Manalo.
“Kami ni Nicco Manalo, which is my best friend, actually, one of my closest friends. So, matagal na kaming magkasama niyan sa teatro pa lang. Siguro, mga wala pa, hindi pa kami parehas umaarte sa kahit anong pelikula, magkasama na kami.”
IMAGE: Viva Films on Facebook
Having been friends with Nicco for a long time has done a part in bringing out a more natural dynamic between them in the film which lightens the work for Jerald.
He starts, “Magkaibigan kasi, e.
“May mga eksena dito na kami ni Nicco mismo yung nagpasok. Mga punchline, mga comedic punchline, kung nakita niyo yung umaakyat ako, nakasampa ako kay Nicco, naisip namin ni Nicco ‘yon.
Following this, Nicco, Jose Manalo’s son, shares his piece of the story during VIVA’s media conference for “Pagpag 24/7.”
He reveals how big of a dreamer he and Jerald were when they were still pursuing theater 14 years ago, and that he is enthusiastic about where they both are right now.
Nicco backtracks, “Kami po ni Je ay batang teatro. Nagsimula po kami, nagkita po kami unang-una sa CCP, sa Tanghalang Pilipino.
“Sabay kaming humihiga sa carpet ng CCP kahit bawal doon. Nangangarap lang kami… [yung] pinapangarap lang namin dati po doon, ginagawa [na] namin ngayon.
“Kumbaga nagsimula talaga kami na kung mangarap, malaki talaga. Sabay kaming nangangarap nang malaki dati. So, to be able to do this with him… ‘yon yung best part of this, na magawa namin ito together and ma-share namin sa inyo kasi karamihan ng siguro, makikita sa amin dito, parang kami lang sa totoong buhay.”
The two friends were also each other’s pillar for when their individual endeavors are shaken by tough obstacles. They show the depth of their friendship as they hold each other up until their goals are met.
Nicco shares, “Tuwing magkakasama kami ni–li-lift namin yung isa’t isa, e. Pare-pareho kaming nagsasabi ng ‘hindi meron pa yan,’ ‘congrats, ginawa mo to’
“Kahit maliit na bagay ‘yon, one step ‘yon para makaakyat pa, di ba, kung saan natin gustong pumunta? So, of course, nagkaroon kami ng mga ganoong times pero lagi kaming magkasama, e. So, nandoon kami para i-build yung courage ng isa’t isa.”
It was a worthwhile step-by-step journey for Jerald and Nicco’s from starting small, going through rejections, then striving in the end.
In Jerald’s account, ”Naalala ko na-meet ko si Nicco it was the second Virgin Labfest, if some of you knows it–laboratory, untried, untested play sa CCP, sa Tanghalang Pilipino
“Mga bagets kami, e. Parang ang habol lang namin basta makasali lang. Kahit gaano kaunti ang linya ng role makasali lang.
“Naabutan namin na hopeful ka, pupunta ka sa lugar. Pagdating doon sa lugar, rejected. Hopeless ka… So, yung gutom na dala-dala namin sa pagkuha ng role at sa pag-arte, hanggang sa magkakasama kami, ni-re-remind namin yung isat isa na maliit o malaking bagay, nandito pa rin tayo from 2007…
“This is such a reflection and I think a confirmation of what happened from our dreams before–ngayon magkasama kami ni Nicco sa pelikulang ito.”
“Pagpag 24/7” opened in cinemas on March 20, and is still showing in theaters.
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Friendships bleeding through in “Pagpag 24/7”
Dull moments are rare with the cast of “Pagpag 24/7.”
In addition to Jerald and Nicco’s already established friendship, the cast of the movie are a true barkada, innately making it comfortable for everyone.
Due to a personal style, a more casual environment is what film director JR Reyes sets in his work space, especially with his actors.
But how does JR draw the line between professionalism and personal relationships in his films?
JR answers, “Sa akin kasi, yung pelikula naman is comedy… Nag-se-set ako ng tone na parang magba-barkada lang kami para magawa namin yung dapat namin gawin sa eksena.
“Yung pagiging captain of the ship, feeling ko professional naman kaming lahat enough para maintindihan yung mga boundaries and yung mga work namin sa isa’t-isa. So, sa akin, hindi ko naging worry yung pagiging direktor… Actually, pagka-minsan sumusobra naman, hindi ko naman sila kinukunsinte. Nagko-control din ako.”
Danita Paner, Director JR Reyes, Nikko Natividad
The director’s intention with building closer relationships with his actors is for a more effective direction to tell apart what’s natural versus what’s too much acting for them.
He says, “Sa akin, mas magiging madali yung work ko pagka may relationship ako dun sa actor or sa actress.
“Kasi mas madali ko siyang nabibigyan ng instructions tapos mas kilala ko siya. Alam ko yung mga nuancesm kung paano siya magbiro, kung paano siya makitungo. So nakikita ko kung in-a-acting niya ba yung role niya, or nagiging natural lang siya. So, alam ko na in-a-acting, so kailangan kong mag-another take para hindi ganun.
“Mas gusto ko kasi yung natural lagi para yung comedy, hindi pilit.”
Text Pamela Torres
Banner Art Paulo Correa
