Real-life BFFs Jerald and Nicco fulfill dream of working together on screen
Real-life friends Jerald Napoles and Nicco Manalo were elated to have filmed “Pagpag 24/7” under Viva Films. They play BFFs and comedic duo in the movie directed by JR Reyes.
Both previously starred in the 2014 thriller “The Janitor,” but they didn’t have scenes together. “Pagpag 24/7” marks the first time they’ve worked together in a film.
The horror-comedy tells the story of how a friendship, forged by a strong bond and brotherhood, can withstand anything, even the horrors of encountering vengeful spirits.
Jerald’s Mitoy, Nicco’s Boying, and other characters get stranded at the same convenience store, haunted by ghosts that bring nightmares to the main characters’ lives.
“Pagpag” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
In a press conference at the Viva Café in Araneta City, Nicco said that the best part about the project was collaborating with his long-time friend, Jerald, and sharing it with the viewers.
The two also recalled their modest beginnings during their theaters days and how they had each other’s back through the years until they got cast as a duo in one project together.
The first time they met was in 2007 through Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Pilipino. “Sabay kaming humiga sa carpet ng CCP kahit bawal dun,” recounted Nicco. “We were just dreaming about the things we are doing now (acting). We would eat together in a cafeteria na hati kami ng ulam lang. We really started (from there).”
“So, to be able to do this with him, that’s the best part of this, na magawa namin ‘to together and to share this with you. Most of the scenes that you will see here are how we are in real life. The personalities of our characters here, baka baliktad. But most of it, parang kami lang. So, it wasn’t that hard (to do this movie),” added the son of comedian-host Jose Manalo.
There were also times, particularly during their early years in the industry, when they had to encourage each other because things didn’t go as planned.
“It’s normal for an actor to say, ‘Ay, ayoko na yata,’” stated Nicco. “But when we, our group, were together, we would lift each other up. We would say, ‘Meron pa yan. Congrats, you did this.’ Even if it’s a small thing, it’s a step for us to get there… We had each other. We were there to build each other up.”
Jerald remembered the day he met Nicco during the second edition of The Virgin Labfest. “We were still young (at that time). We just want(ed) to join (any project) even it was just a small role. We would go through auditions where you go there, line up, and if you’re not accepted, they will say it right away. There was no e-mail at that time. They would say immediately, ‘Maybe in the next project na lang.’
“So naabutan namin na… hopeful ka, you go to that place, when you’re there, rejected, you’re hopeless, so you go to another audition. You have to lift yourself up like, ‘Sige, next time. Next tayo. Walang problema,’” continued Jerald.
It was the kind of mindset that they carried with them until they started bagging major acting roles. “We would remind each other in every small or big thing that we are still here (in the industry), (we’ve been here) since 2007. So, this is such a reflection, I think, realization of our dreams before, now that we are together in this film.”
“Pagpag” also stars Wilbert Ross as the resentful ghost Jimboy, Nikko Natividad as one of the trapped customers Pio, and Danita Paner as Leah, who is trapped alongside Pio and also Mitoy’s long-time crush.
Joining them are Dindo Arroyo as the ruthless Mang Kanor, Janet Dancalan, Butchoy Ubaldo, Cherry Malvar, and Jyra De Guzman.
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