MON Confiado walked to Baguio in preparation for his role in “Nanahimik ang Gabi.”
The actor, widely regarded as one of the most underrated in local showbiz, talked about how he got into character for the Shugo Praico thriller, during an interview with the press at the movie’s set in Tagaytay.
Producer-director Lino Cayetano, who co-produces the film with Philip King and “Nanahimik ang Gabi” director Shugo Praico, said Mon decided to hike for four days so he can internalize his role. He added that at one point, Mon was even mistaken for a hobo.
Well, it’s how he gets into character, said Mon, who revealed he originally wanted to walk for forty days!
“’Yun ang method ko as an actor,” he stated, “Ang setting kasi, bahay —isolated na bahay — malayo, so gusto ko ma-feel ‘yun ng character ko. So namundok ako dun sa norte, sa Baguio, mga four days. Originally gusto ko maglakad ng 40 days from Manila to norte, gusto ko malaman saan makakarating ‘yun.
“So nag four days lang ako sa bundok, sa forest, at dun ako nag-memorize, nag-characterize. Alone. Walang signal. [Pag naman] may signal, useless [ang phone].”
It is not the first time for him to immerse in such manner.
“Karamihan ng projects ko, kung masusundan ang trabaho ko, ganun naman [ang ginagawa ko],” related Mon, who famously dropped 40 pounds before doing “Diplomat Hotel” and shed 25 pounds to play Emilio Aguinaldo in “Goyo” four years ago.
“Malaking bagay kasi ang immersion sa akin. Nararamdaman ko, natutulungan [ang] pagbuo ko ng character.
“’Pagkabasa ko ng script [ng ‘Nanahimik ang Gabi’], napakachalleng ng role ko, although kontrabida. Balita ko nga ang daming kinonsider sa role na to. Correct me [if I’m wrong] but 15 artista.”
The award-winning actor received much praise for his dedication to his character from his “Nanahimik ang Gabi” co-star Ian Veneracion.
“Ang galing [ni Mon], eto specialty nya,” raved Ian, “Grabe ang exploration nya of the dark side, dahil sa mga roles nya in the past. [Kumbaga] Fifty shades of black, ganun sya.”
“Nananahimik ang Gabi” also stars Heaven Peralejo. It is one of the entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival and will start showing on December 25.
