COUNCILOR ALFRED VARGAS is really back full blast into acting.
He is in a new movie, “Pieta”, and he is also in a new GMA-7 drama series, “AraBella”.
He is likewise busy in Tiktok, dancing with his young co-stars in “AraBella”, Shayne Sava and Althea Ablan, who he commends for being such talented actresses, along with Camille Prats.
But he’s really excited to do a movie again, “Pieta”, as it will give him the chance to work with acting icons Nora Aunor and Gina Alajar.
“They’re two of our country’s best actresses who have won so many acting awards, so I’m really excited to work with them,” he beams.
“And with the script of Jerry Gracio and the direction of Adolf Alix Jr, I am confident that we will come up with a good movie that our audiences will like and enjoy.”
When Direk Adolf pitched the project to him while they’re on the set of “AraBella”, he immediately liked it.
“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay Direk kasi naisip niyang ialok ang project sa akin. I like my role, kasi very demanding.
"I’m a man jailed for allegedly killing my own father, na hindi ko naman ginawa.
"Nang makalaya ako, hinanap ko ang nanay ko para malaman kung ano ang katotohanan sa pagkamatay ng ama ko. Kaso, bulag na siya at may dementia.”
When Direk Adolf told him he wants Ate Guy to play the mom, Alfred got so thrilled he even volunteered to go and visit Nora Aunor to offer the role of Rebecca, his mother in the movie.
“Kami mismo ni Direk Adolf ang nagpunta sa bahay niya para ialok nang personal ang project sa kanya,” says Alfred.
“Para kaming umakyat ng ligaw. Kasi alam ko, mapili siya sa projects na ginagawa niya at hindi lahat, tinatanggap niya.
"And this is her first movie na gagawin after she was proclaimed as National Artist. So I was quite nervous. Feeling ko, 50-50 kung tatanggapin niya o hindi itong ‘Pieta’.”
He was so excited and tense, but he was floored when Ate Guy welcomed him warmly inside her home.
“Naghanda siya ng meriendang buchi, pizza at pancit. Hindi mo mararamdaman na superstar siya o national artist. Walang ere and very humble.”
So what’s Ate Guy’s reaction to his movie offer?
“I pitched the project to her at nagustuhan niya, kasi first time daw niyang gaganap sa role ng isang bulag.
"We talked about her past movies at nang malaman niya kung ano yung movies niyang hindi ko pa napanood, she went to her room at naghanap ng copies nito para ipahiram sa akin at nang mapanood ko raw.
"So she really made me feel at home and I look forward to shooting the film with her.”
Did he pay her an astronomical talent fee?
“Dapat lang naman considering her stature, di ba? But in fairness to her, she gave us some consideration so, sakto lang.
"When she accepted our offer, biglang naging malaking project talaga itong ‘Pieta’. Biro mo, we have a National Artist in the cast!”
And they also have Gina Alajar, who’s not only an actress but also a respected director in her own right.
“That’s true. Parang dream project ito for me kasi nga kasama rin si Direk Gina na naging mentor ko sa maraming acting workshops.
"Siya rin ang nag-workshop sa amin sa last movie ko, ‘Tagpuan’ with Iza Calzado and Shaina Magdayao that gave us some acting awards.
"Kaya I’m really excited and looking forward na makaeksena ko these two formidable actresses who are sure will bring out the best in me as an actor, Ate Guy and Direk Gina.
"At least, in the future, I can claim na nakatrabaho ko sila at ako ang kanilang naging leading man! That’s something to be proud of, di ba? Big check ito sa bucket list ng kahit sinong artista.”
He seems to have lost weight since we last saw him.
“Yes, nagpapayat talaga ako for my taping sa ‘AraBella’. Kasi when I did ‘Unica Hija’ with Kate Valdez, napansin kong malusog ang dating ko on screen, so I had to diet and exercise to lose some unwanted pounds.
"But before we start shooting ‘Pieta’, I need lose about 7 to 10 lbs. more kasi ex-convict ang role ko, so dapat mas payat ang dating ko kasi sa pagsisimula ng movie, kalalabas ko lang ng bilangguan.”