Mikee and Dave appreciate the value of having new screen partners

Aside from presenting a strong ensemble acting from veteran and emerging talents, through the tutelage of actor’s director Laurice Guillen, Apoy Sa Langit has also showcased Mikee Quintos and Dave Bornea as a Kapuso love team.

Through the course of the Kapuso Afternoon Prime drama series’ airing, which includes its finale tomorrow at 2:30 p.m., Mikee and Dave have proven that they look good on screen and work well together.

Besides playing diverse and meaty roles across narrative genres, actors can also grow by, as one may put it, doing a rigodon (changing) of love team mates. Mikee and Dave appreciate the value of being paired up with new screen partners.

“It’s a good thing because na-i-stretch ka as an actor (your ability to adapt to a new pairing and your acting range are being stretched or tested),” said Mikee in a recent virtual press conference. “Being paired up with different leading men requires different preparations, aside from the ones you have for your character.” The challenging part is for actors like Mikee and Dave to build a good rapport and create an onscreen chemistry with partners, who are close to them or will work with them for the first time.

“But as an actor, it’s your job to make it work onscreen with these different leading men and that challenge excites me,” shared Mikee and added that “I really think it’s a good thing ‘coz it only means in each project, meron kang bagong matututunan (you have something new to learn) and work remains exciting.”

Dave, who plays game designer and IT employee Anthony, agreed with Mikee, who essays the charming and talented daughter Ning of jewelry designer Gemma, portrayed by Maricel Laxa.

“When you get paired up with the same artist in a different project, parang wala na ding masyadong challenge (it seems you don’t get challenged anymore),” said he.

“When it comes to working with a new love team mate, there are (new) collaborations. You’ll know (and discover) that she has this new idea and she tackles a scene (this way),” added he. “I’ve learned a lot from Mikee, who is one of those that I admire (and I like) her work. She is very professional.” Among the lessons Dave has furthered learned is “how to make the scenes effective and yung kilig namin. We have our own ideas. With the guidance of our director, mi-ni-mix lang namin (we would consolidate and collaborate).”

From direk Laurice, whose set can be compared to attending a masterclass, as one may put it, Mikee and Dave picked up to be each other’s source of inspiration, especially when their energy reaches its low point. They have to be in their characters, even in emotionally draining scenes, and “be present,” added Dave.

“Dapat meron isa sa amin ang mag-aangat (there should be one person who will lift the other up). There are times na bumababa (yung energy),” said he. The veteran director was always on the lookout to remind them.

Another takeaway from headlining Apoy Sa Langit is to understand more the sole responsibility of an actor, that is “to take care of my character, to give (it) life at trabaho ko yun na bigyan ng lalim and yung consistency (it’s my work to give the character depth and to be consistent) para mas paniwalaan ng viewers na totoo at buhay si Ning (so that viewers will see her real and alive),” said Mikee, who also appreciated her management in asking her thoughts about like being in a new tandem and “‘Where do you see yourself?’ Saan mo gusto pumunta (ang) career mo (Where do you see your career going)? Anong mga projects ang gusto mong ma-try, ma-explore (What projects would you like to try and explore)?”

So, what’s in the pipeline for Mikee and Dave after Apoy Sa Langit? The young actress said that she and Paul Salas will topbill the Regal Studio Presents episode titled Love, Share and Subscribe, which airs on Sunday. It will be followed by another project.

For his part, the young actor shared, “I’m just waiting for the next one that the management will give me, but there are guestings like (in) MPK (Magpakailanman) and a variety show.”

Given their enthusiasm for an acting collaboration, Mikee and Dave will continue to grow by leaps and bounds.