John Arcilla has no regrets saying goodbye to his writing career at ABS-CBN for acting
Known in the industry as a consummate actor, John Arcilla has proven that he can deliver the best in any role he takes on. Since he found passion in the craft at an early age, John has continued to hone his craft with every project he takes on and credits his academic background as a big part in his growth as an artist.
During the pocket presscon for the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Carnival, John shared why he is so meticulous when it comes to studying every role that comes his way.
“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.
The 60-year-old actor also revealed that he could have also had a budding career as a writer in ABS-CBN had he not chosen to fully focus on 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.
In his latest role as the Salamangkero in the lone horror entry to this year’s MMFF, John described his role as very introspective and a complex character.
“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 Haunted Carnival actor also gave credit to director Joey de Guzman who was very collaborative with him from the very start of their production.
“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.
Having been part of previous MMFF films as well as being part of the festival jury, John looks forward to being part of this year’s festival celebration next month.
“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.