Cesar Montano brings hard action in "Hitman"

Cesar Montano's latest movie titled "Hitman" (which opens today in theaters nationwide) had a press preview on Monday at My Cinema on Greenbelt 3 in Makati City. The movie is hard action and there's no stopping the suspense from start to finish. It also had sprinkles of comedy. "Hitman" is very entertaining, with good performances from Cesar and his co-actors Phillip Salvador, Ricky Davao, Joko Diaz and even Mark Herras.

"Bumalik na kung paano ako gumawa ng pelikula dati, kung paano ako mag-adlib," said Cesar after the preview. "It's the Cesar Montano that the audience is looking for in an action film." He had several adlibs in which he poked fun at both Phillip and Ricky. "Please don't write about it. I want to surprise them."

There was a long chase scene involving Cesar and Phillip. It started in Quezon City and finished in Sta. Ana. "It was a long chase scene which we shot for three days. Kuya Ipe had no problem with the running scenes. He's fit. He runs and plays basketball, I guess. He didn't have a problem when we did the running scenes."

Cesar says he is planning to do more action scenes and more comedy scenes when he does the sequel of "Hitman" next year. He is also planning to do another action movie this year. He was supposed to meet up with Viva Films big boss Vic del Rosario on Monday after the press preview to talk about their next joint project. "Hitman" is a co-production between Viva and Cesar's CM Films.

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In a recent launch, Saridandan Films formally announced its initial offering titled “Lam-Ang” which is based on the Ilocano epic and playing the coveted role is young actor Rocco Nacino, who bested other aspirants in an audition, whose panel was headed by director Ana Agabin.

“I didn’t choose Rocco for the title role. The film chose him. He looks the part. He has comic timing, appeal, good attitude and the right presence. He acts well and is good at improvisations. He was third among those who auditioned but before the night was over, we knew we already had a Lam-Ang in Rocco,” the Ilocana filmmaker recalls.

Rocco is proud about having been chosen to depict the Ilocano hero. This week he’ll undergo training in doing fight scenes, while principal photography begins before the Holy Week. His regular taping for GMA 7’s teleserye “The Good Daughter” had to make adjustments in schedule to accommodate the “Lam-Ang” shooting schedule.

“I am truly excited over this significant project. It’s a role of a lifetime. I’ll give it my best to be worthy of the honor,” said Rocco even as he admitted being nervous and pressured that he got the coveted role. He said having quite a hard time during the audition but was truly happy when he learned he got the part.

“I know it’s a big challenge to be given this kind of a role. But I will prepare for it. I have one month to prepare. I will have to be buff for my role so I need to work out. I want to give justice to the character,” he said. 

Asked if he will have qualms wearing g-strings as costumes in this historical epic drama, Rocco said, “That will never be an issue with me. No matter how daring the costumes may be as long as they’re appropriate for the character, I’ll wear them. This is a decent historical account, probably a General Patronage movie, the skimpy costumes will hardly be a selling point but the whole project.”

“Since you are telling that there is pressure for me to play Lam-Ang because I play the title role, then I guess I’d really feel the pressure. “Yes, I am excited but there is pressure. You really feel different when you are playing the lead role in a movie but I am honored to have been given the part.”

He said his training in a various martial arts would come in handy for his role as Lam-Ang. He will also undergo training in arnis. “This is a dream come true for me because I really want to do an action movie. When I auditioned for this movie, I also thought na what if I don’t get the role? Sabi niya kasi malambot daw ako (after watching me in Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa) but during the audition I showed her na puwede akong maging matigas.” And the role was his.

“Lam-ang” is a historical-fantasy based on the Ilokano epic written by Pedro Bukaneg. It is a depiction of Ilocos during the Spanish regime.

Joining Rocco in the movie are award-winning indie actors Shamaine Buencamino, Art Acuna, Alchris Gallura, with child actors Nathaniel Britt and Kokoy de Santos, plus stage actors Channel dela Torre and Miquel Vasquez.