Felix Roco makes a mark in "Engkwentro"

CEBU, Philippines - A scion of a local cinema legend Bembol Roco and an up-and-coming heartthrob in Pinoy showbiz, 20-year-old Felix Roco makes a mark with his internationally acclaimed performance in the Venice Film Festival double-awardee “Engkwentro.”

Taking the lead role of Richard, a gangster running away from the murderous City Death Squad, Felix shows an undeniable range and versatility for what many call one of the most challenging performances ever taken on by an actor. Because Engkwentro was shot a la one continuous take, Felix styled his performance like a stageplay – memorizing all his lines and deeply internalizing his character. With no room for mistakes, Felix delved into the role – doing his own stunts, and narrowly avoiding injuries on set.

In order to prepare for his performance, Felix drew from his own past experiences. A former fraternity member, Felix overcame his “wild” younger days and has now transformed himself into a very professional, serious actor. He wants young viewers to follow his example of conquering challenges and chasing dreams. Catch “Engkwentro’s” last day of showing (Dec. 13) at SM City Cebu.