How does he feel when he sees Josh in the billboard of Kris and Bimby endorsing a tuna brand? “Tuwang-tuwa ako tuwing makikita ko silang tatlo. Ang pogi ni Josh, di ba? Mini-me niya ang kapatid niya, ang six-year old son namin ng wife ko, si Emma. Nagkita na sila noon, pero maliit pa lang si Josh.”
Ipe is very happy that after doing three shows with GMA-7 (“Makapiling Kang Muli”, “Protege” and “Unforgettable”), he’s now doing “Undercover” with TV5. We heard he got his biggest talent fee so far on TV5. “Mababait sila, wala akong mairereklamo,” he beams.
How is it acting with Derek and Wendell Ramos in the show?
“First time ko lang sila nakatrabaho pareho at magagaling sila. They love their craft. Yung director namin dito, si Topel Lee, first time ko rin lang nakatrabaho and he’s good. Mabusisi siya at talagang inaaral ang bawat shot niya. Parang pelikula ang treatment. He’s also very open sa ideas ng stars niya at hindi yata napapagod. Chill lang siya lagi sa set.”
How does it feel that he used to be one of our top action stars and yet he plays villain roles now? “Accepted ko naman yan, yung tinatawag na the changing of the guards. Even before, my mentor, the late Lino Brocka, prepared me for that. He said later on, contravida roles ang gagampanan mo. And early in my career, pinaganap na niya ko ng contravida roles in ‘Rubia Servios’ na rapist ako ni Vilma Santos and in ‘Abel at Cain’ na ako yung blacksheep na brother ni Christopher de Leon. So okay lang sa’king gumanap na contravida ngayon. Pero hindi naman lahat ng villain roles, tinatanggap ko. I’ve turned about a dozen offers kasi wala akong nakikitang challenge. If I’m not happy, bakit ko gagawin? Ayokong lokohin ang sarili ko na gagawin ko yun just for the moolah. Gusto ko, may challenge sa role kahit contravida ako.”
