How ‘fear’ made RK Bagatsing accept role of Rey Valera in biopic

MANILA, Philippines — If you are an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) enthusiast, filmmaker Joven Tan’s Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko: The Music of Rey Valera might just be the movie for you at the ongoing Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023.

Produced by Saranggola Media, the musical drama relives the inspirations that influenced the veteran singer-songwriter to churn out OPM hits, particularly from the ‘70s and ‘80s to the early 2000s, including Mr. DJ and Maging Sino Ka Man (both performed by Sharon Cuneta), Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo, Kung Kailangan Mo Ako and Tayong Dalawa.

Rey’s first single Ako Si Superman was originally intended for the late Rico J. Puno but he was unable to record it. Rey ended up singing the track which paved the way for his music career.

Kapamilya actor RK Bagatsing portrays the OPM icon in the film that also stars Aljur Abrenica, Rico Barrera, Gelli de Belen, Christopher de Leon, Lotlot de Leon, Ronnie Lazaro, Ara Mina, Dennis Padilla, Epy Quizon, Ariel Rivera, Rosanna Roces, Lloyd Samartino, Lou Veloso and Gardo Versoza.

“If you are a fan of music (and) OPM, you should watch this (film) because we all know that Sir Rey Valera is an OPM legend,” recommended RK during a press conference and film screening at the Gateway Mall Cinema in Araneta City. “And I’m sure that you’ve heard his songs on radio, CDs, cassette tapes and from TV series and movies’ theme songs. I’m sure at one point, naka-relate yung mga friends mo or yung mga kamag-anak mo with every word or the lyrics from his songs.”

“This movie, dadalhin ka sa iba’t ibang lugar ng damdamin. That’s why I’m excited for you to watch this film and also refer this to your friends or people you know,” he added.

RK likened the movie to Hollywood biopics such as Elvis Presley’s biographical drama Elvis, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Elton John’s story Rocketman.

“(Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko) is like our own version here in the Philippines,” he commented.

The film also marked RK’s first MMFF stint. He felt the pressure of essaying such a meaty role.

“Of course, it’s a lot of pressure because I am portraying a real-life person,” he admitted. “That’s why I made sure to do a lot of research and hindi ko hinahayaan na hindi ibigay yung 100 percent ko every time I go to set. The pressure is there but of course, tinuloy ko pa rin. And natuwa ako at nawala yung kaba ko when I saw that Rey liked the film.”

RK was aware that he was not the first choice for the film but he, nevertheless, took the chance and said yes to it.

“The first thing I told them was kumakanta ako but I’m not that good at singing,” he recalled. “So parang hindi yata po para sa akin ‘yan. Sabi nila hindi, kasi may na-record na kaming kanta. Gusto lang namin talagang maiarte yung puso nung bawat kanta so that’s why we chose you.

“I said, now kasi, I’m at that stage of my career where I no longer want to play safe. I said, I’m scared but yan yung mga gusto ko ngayon na mga project, yung natatakot ako, that’s why I said yes to this project,” he furthered.

Growing up with a brother (Raymond Bagatsing) and a sister (Monina Bagatsing) in showbiz, RK was already familiar with Rey’s music notably through ABS-CBN’s drama series Pangako Sa’Yo starring Kristine Hermosa and Jericho Rosales. Rey composed the soundtrack of the series of the same title.

RK also mentioned Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko as his favorite track from the OPM hitmaker. “Whenever I hear the song, it has a striking impact on me. Youth is inevitable. All of us will grow old someday,” he said during the presscon.

“At the same time, parang nawawala yung takot ‘pag naiisip mo na someday, tatanda naman akong may kasama. It’s the idea of being with someone who you want to be with for as long as you live.”

RK added the veteran singer-songwriter’s Tayong Dalawa and Malayo Pa Ang Umaga to his list of favorites.

To prepare for the role, RK researched about Rey through the internet, including the latter’s concerts and interviews on YouTube. The actor never met Rey during the duration of the taping until the private film screening.

The hardest part of portraying Rey is the “wig part.” Other than that, the actor enjoyed the entire filming process.

“Para lang ako nagpupunta sa set and just listen to his songs… If there is any challenge, it’s my doubts: ‘Am I doing the right thing? Will he like it?’ Overall, the atmosphere on set is light. Nagbibiruan lang kami ni direk,” he said.

The first time RK watched the movie during a private screening, he wasn’t able to enjoy it as Rey’s presence made him feel nervous.

“But now, I’m with you (a bigger audience) and pinanood ko siya as audience (member) talaga. And kung nagre-react kayo, parehas tayong nagre-react… Kaya nung natutuwa kayo, natutuwa din ako. Kaya yung medyo naiiyak na kayo, medyo meron ding namumuo sa akin,” he noted.

“Because again, music is universal,” he further stressed. “All of us have this invisible string that connects us in each song.”

Meanwhile, RK’s girlfriend Jane Oineza is one proud partner after seeing the actor’s performance on screen.

“Proud na proud ako and I know what his preparation was like for this film. And nakaka-proud to see everything na finally (this is it). And excited akong mapanood (ito) ng mga tao sa MMFF. (I am) a proud ‘jowa,’” she said.

Jane also described RK as her “Superman,” explaining: “For being with me and saving me. And making me survive life with him.”

RK responded, “She is the ‘Superwoman’ of my life.”

The couple has a new movie coming out this May titled The Swing.