Dominic Rocco proud to play a gay waiter in indie film

Kapuso actor Dominic Rocco is playing the role of a gay waiter in the indie film Madaling Araw Mahabang Gabi which opens today in theaters nationwide. Dominic was only second choice for the role in this film directed by Dante Nico Garcia (who helmed the Judy Ann Santos starrer Ploning) but he didn’t mind. Singer-actress Aiza Seguerra was the original choice for the character who couldn’t do the film because of conflict with her schedule.

“I play a gay virgin waiter whose love interest is Karel Marquez. What I liked about the film is its unique story and I am proud to be a part of this movie. We all did our job very well and filming in Palawan was a breeze because the actors whom Direk Ga cast in the movie are all friends,” said the other half of the Rocco twin in our chat before the premiere of this movie held at the Music Museum on Monday night.

Dominic didn’t have a hard time portraying the role of the gay waiter. “It wasn’t really a hard role for me. I just had to look at our makeup artist and our wardrobe mistress and tried to copy what they were doing but I added my own style naman. But it wasn’t that hard really kasi maganda ang character and I had fun doing it even if I only had one day to prepare for it since I was just a replacement for Aiza. Besides, I’ve portrayed a gay role on TV although this is my first time to do it for the big screen.”

Dominic says he was happy to get the part. “Direk Ga is a good friend and ever since I started my showbiz career, he had been very supportive. I’ve always wanted to do a project with him as a friend kasi I want to help him kasi marami rin naman siyang nagawa for me. We had a great time sa shoot kasi Direk Ga made sure that the cast members bonded together,” said the talented son of acclaimed actor Bembol Rocco.

He didn’t have second thoughts accepting the gay role in Madaling Araw Mahabang Gabi and neither frowned on being just the replacement of Aiza. “No, I don’t like turning down roles. Kasi trabaho iyon. That is my goal as an actor, to have roles. I don’t want to be known as a matinee idol or the boy-next-door. I want to be known as an actor. I won’t turn down any role just because I am the second choice. Para sa akin wala iyon. I just want to work,” he said.

Dominic is one of the best actors in the Kapuso network but sad to say the progress of his career was so slow, something that even he himself noticed.

“I don’t know what to answer whenever people ask me why my career is moving so slowly.  Maski ako di ko alam ang sagot. I don’t really know what is happening already. I’ve shared my thoughts and feelings with GMA Artist Center already. They know how I feel kasi sila ang nagha-handle sa akin. I had no one to talk to but them. I told them how I feel. I am disappointed that my career is going nowhere. I signed an exclusive contract with them and I am supposed to have a guaranteed contract.  Pero walang nangyayari. I don’t know why I am not given projects. I am not asking for a big role or a lead role, I just want to work. Kahit small role lang. Trabaho lang naman ang gusto ko. I never turn down roles kasi trabaho iyon.  Hindi naman ako choosy pagdating sa roles, gusto ko lang may trabaho,” Dominic bared.

Dominic is playing the lead role in the pilot episode of the comebacking legal drama Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo which will air on November 10, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. at GMA News TV. Hosted by Atty. Jose and Jopet Sison. Titled Haligi ng Tahanan, it also stars Glaiza de Castro who plays Dominic’s wife. He plays a husband who fought for the custody of his child after his wife died and her in-laws took the child under their care.

Directing Kapag May Katwiran, Ipaglaban Mo is Dante Nico Garcia.

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Carlos Agassi just released a new album titled Kapayapaan, released thru Star Records. It contains 7 tracks which the rapper himself composed. He was able to complete the album with the help of Allan Mitchell Salonga of Daddy’s Home and Gloc 9.

Aside from Kapayapaan with Daddy’s Home, the album also features the cuts P.I.N.O.Y (featuring Daddy’s Home), NAIA Ko (with Gloc 9 and Daddy’s Home), Muling Tanggapin (featuring Gloc 9 and Daddy’s Home), Get Down, Freaking Hot Momma Part 1 and Freaking Hot Momma Part 2.

The songs from his album can be downloaded thru Mymusicstore.com.ph and thru iTunes. Since November 4 his album had been on sale at Astrovision outlets.

It was also Carlos who conceptualized and directed the music video for his carrier single Kapayapaan. Carlos says his fans can subscribe thru his Facebook  Carlos Agassi fan page and follow him in his Twitter account @amiragassi, and in his Instagram carlos Agassi.

He also shared that he was recently  tapped as Youth Advocate for Peace by Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was a guest performer at the National Youth Leadership Summit in Davao last October 29 where he performed the song Kapayapaan. The youth representatives joined him in singing Kapayapaan as they liked the message of the song which talks of peace and how important it is to our daily existence.

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After earning finalist status in the GAWAD CCP Short/ Narrative Feature Festival, Triple MP Production’s  “ALIBI” competes in the 2012 International Film Festival Manhattan, to be held from November 9-15, 2012, at the historic QUAD Cinemas, 34 W 13th St., in New York City.

The 15-minute short film (screening on Monday, November 12, 2012 at 1PM,) is a contemporary and cautionary tale about two actor friends Donald Valenzuela (Richard Quan) and Ray Martinez (Yutaka Yamakawa) who perpetually searches for urban adventure and cosmopolitan excitement. Although Ray is happily married and has a family that he truly loves, sex with a comely stranger is his secret fantasy.

Things heat up when Ray agrees to be set up by Donald, this one-time, big-time blind date giving him the opportunity to realize what he covets.

“This is my first short film and I am very happy knowing the fact that we are taking it to New York,” says writer and director Perry Escaño. “It is an interesting look at these actors and what they do, talk about in between takes. It also tackles family issues such as broken families in the Philippines.”

He carries on, “My actors and crew are very professional and excellent in most ways and I had a great time working with them. I could say that this film is funny, interesting and exciting. This film will reveal the secrets and techniques of men on how they cheat on their girlfriends and wives.”

The International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), with Luis Pedron as its Co -Founder / Festival Director / Programmer and Gerry Balasta, co-founder and Executive Director, offers a quality selection of world-class films that will be showcased in downtown Manhattan at the celebrated Quad Cinemas. 

The film programming encompasses all different genres that include narrative features, documentaries, shorts and student films from all over the world. The festival also focuses on films with strong social relevance.

Also starring in the short film are Nix dela Rosa, Anne Real and Ms. Joanne Palisoc.