Director Peque Gallaga stars in indie film

MANILA, Philippines – Renowned director Peque Gallaga takes a backseat in directing as he goes in front of the camera to act.

Direk Peque is part of the Cinema One Originals Plus entry “Woman of the Ruins,” which stars Alessandra de Rossi.

“It’s a wonderful feeling,” the “Oro, Plata, Mata” director said as he described his acting experience. “It’s because you’re not responsible in bringing the film in, nasa director ‘yon, e.”

“Masarap kasi you’re working with Alex, with Art and with Shanelle, and these are people who are fun to work with. Very intelligent ‘yong director, we have a very good production designer, and all time we’re shooting it sa bagyo. So it was a wonderful, intense experience.”

This is not the first time that the director worked as an actor. His recent appearance was in the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Si Agimat at Si Enteng Kabisote,” which starred Senator Bong Revilla Jr. and Vic Sotto.

But of course, being a director for many decades now, Direk Peque tries to control himself and makes sure that “when I act, I make sure I don’t direct. As a matter of fact I don’t even look at the monitor because I don’t want to see myself and direct myself, e.”

As he acts again after three years, Direk Peque thinks “it’s so nice to release ‘yong responsibility to the director, siya ang bahala talaga, siya ang boss ko,” he said referring to the film’s director Keith Sicat.