Why Alden Richards Kissing Scene With Solenn Heussaffin 'Ilustrado' Turns Into Comedy

ALDEN RICHARDS is happy over the positive remarks he’s getting for his portrayal of Dr. Jose Rizal in “Ilustrado”. “I was so nervous when the role was assigned to me kasi ako ang youngest among those who have portrayed our national hero before,” he says.

“I’ve seen clips of the movies of Cesar Montano, Joel Torre and Albert Martinez as Rizal at ako talaga ang pinakabata. Buti na lang at nagugustuhan naman ng viewers ang performance ko. This is really my most challenging role ever. In more ways than one, kasi maraming eksena rito, I’m just by myself on a green screen. Tapos lahat ng nasa background ko, dinaragdag na lang by CGI (computer generated images), like yung mga eksena sa Europe. Yung boat na sinakyan ko rito, CGI lang yun, pero ang ganda lumabas, parang totoo.”

He has really come a long way since he won Outstanding Breakthrough Actor in 2011 for “Alakdana”, where he was introduced. He did a string of hit soaps, like “One True Love”, “Mundo Mo’y Akin” and “Carmela”. Now, he’s also a TV host in “Bet ng Bayan” with Regine Velasquez which he enjoys doing as it gave him the chance to tour our country while looking for talents who’ll join the show. Nakapunta na ko sa Ilocos, Bohol, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, GenSan, Dumaguete, Digos and other cities. It’s so enriching to meet our countrymen from various provinces. Dahil nga sa travels ko, naging Elite member ako agad ng PAL.”

Going back to “Ilustrado”, how did he prepare for the role? "I had to study about Rizal and got pointers from the experts. I felt I have to good to be able to give justice to the role, bilang respeto at pagbigay-pugay na rin kay Dr. Jose Rizal. So far, natutuwa ako kasi kahit sa Twitter, pinupuri nila hindi lang ang acting ko kundi the show itself na mataas daw ang quality at puedeng ipagmalaki ng Pinoys worldwide. Doing ‘Ilustrado’ boosted my confidence as an actor. Truly an achievement considering three years pa lang ako sa showbiz. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa co-stars, like Kylie Padilla who really embodies her role as Leonor Rivera. Abangan nyo pala dahil lumabas na si Solenn Heussaff as Nellie Bousted, the British girl in Paris na nakarelasyon ni Rizal. Very cooperative siya even in our kissing scene. Nakakatawa nga kasi may bigote ako rito, na fake, at pag nag-kiss kami, lumilipat yung fake bigote sa nguso niya. Nagiging comedy tuloy, kaya inabot kami ng ilang takes.”

He remains loveless. “Wala akong energy for that sa dami ng ginagawa ko. Right now, I want to buy a new house for my family in La Residencia in Laguna. Yun muna ang priority ko so I don’t want to be distracted sa work ko. Makakapaghintay naman yan dahil 22 lang ako.”

Don’t miss the final week of “Ilustrado” as it will surely make you take a second look at our National Hero.