ALBIE CASINO started as a teen star in Star Magic and he did several shows for ABS-CBN, including “Mara Clara”, “100 Days to Heaven”, “On the Wings of Love” and others.
His career got derailed when Andi Eigenmann said he’s the dad of her love child but eventually, a paternity test showed it’s really Jake Ejercito and he was vindicated.
He went on with his career playing plum roles in TV series like “Pusong Ligaw” and “Los Bastardos”.
He also did several movies, mostly for Regal, like “Somebody to Love”, “The Escort”, “Die Beautiful”, “Pwera Usog” and “Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love”.
He has completed several other films, like “Madawag ang Daan Patungong Pag-asa” with Rita Daniela and for Vivamax, he did “Biyak” and “Moonlight Butterfly” where he did unabashed bedscenes showing off his chiselled physique.
He now stars in a barkada comedy, “Call Me Papi”, where he shares topbilling with Enzo Pineda, Royce Cabrera, Lharby Policarpio and Aaron Concepcion, written and directed by Alvin Yapan.
It took a long time for them to finish “Call Me Papi” because of the pandemic.
“We started in 2020 then na-stopped dahil inabutan kami ng lockdown”, he says. “We resumed in 2021, then nag-lockdown uli.
"Kapag nagkikita nga kami sa labas ng co-stars ko, we asked, tuloy pa ba ang movie? Finally, last July, we completed it and now, it’s showing in theaters na on December 7.”
“Call Me Papi” is produced for Viva Films by Feast Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote the Filipino heritage.
Atty. Mico Palarca, their executive producer, says that this is the first movie that they are producing, but they aim to make more movies next year and also come up later with their own youtube channel showing socially relevant content for Filipino audiences.
Direk Alvin Yapan says “Call Me Papi” was initiated by the late Shandi Bacolod, who also produced his last movie, “Culion”.
They are dedicating the film to him.
Albie says the film is a lot of fun as their intention is really to come up with a lighthearted movie that will lift up the spirits of viewers after the pandemic.
“Masaya ang pelikula,” he adds. “Marami ang makaka-relate kasi it’s about friendship and relationships with your loved ones and your family.
"Kami ng co-stars ko, we all play major characters na may kanya-kanyang story, may kanya-kanyang pinagdaraanan with our everyday struggles.
"I play Ben, a waiter. Si Enzo Pineda is Sonny, a gym instructor. Sina Royce Cabrera naman at Lharby Policarpio, call center agents.
'Si Aaron Concepcion is a farmer from the province who came to Manila to help his family. We all live in the same apartment and call each other papi or friend.”
The female members of the cast include Katya Santos as a married woman who has an affair with Enzo Pineda and is the reason why he is fired from his job, Irma Concepcion plays a cougar who preys on younger men and actress-singer Anja Aguilar plays Albie’s girlfriend.
Don’t miss 'CALL ME PAPI' when it opens in cinemas on December 7.