Kiko Estrada ‘destined’ to be an action star, says director

MANILA, Philippines — “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” director Albert Langitan had always believed Kiko Estrada was destined to be an action star.

The actor scores his first lead action role as he topbills the TV5 remake of the Rudy Fernandez 1986 starrer “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa.” Premiering today, the series airs weekdays after “E.A.T. Bulaga.”

Direk Albert was Kiko’s director for a GMA program some 10 years ago and he recalled telling the actor that he should be doing action.

“Kami ni Kiko, meron kaming personal na usapan, 10 years ago. It was the first time we worked together and we clicked right away. I said, ‘Kiko, what are you doing? Dapat action star ka (You should be an action star),’” the director, who megs the show with Roderick Lindayag, said in a presscon.

“Tapos nung sinabi na si Kiko yung magiging lead star of (‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa), destiny ata yun (maybe it’s destiny). Baka na-claim namin pareho ni Kiko kaya nangyari siya kasi ang tagal naming hindi nagkasama. Dito kami pinagtagpo. So, for me, it’s a mission na, ‘Kiko, dapat maging maayos ka.’

As for Kiko, he would say he manifested the “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” project.

“I wanted to work on a good project that’s action-packed and I manifested it,” he told The STAR in a separate one-on-one interview.

“I believe in manifestation and if it’s your destiny it will be. Manifesting is a good way to tell the universe that you want something and it will come to you if you have the good energy to attract it, you know, the law of attraction.

“So I just said it, I declared it… I just say it everytime I pray: I wanna have a good project, I wanna have a good role, I wanna lead one.

“Because I was always the support… supporting, yes, to a love triangle, but I loved that, too. I go through roles.

“And somehow, this good work was offered to me… So, not necessarily manifesting ‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa’ but manifesting that I want a good role that can show my capabilities as an actor or as a person.”

When it comes to drawing inspiration for his acting, he only has to look at both sides of his parents. Nevertheless, he pointed out that his portrayal is a combination of influences from the source material of direk Carlo J. Caparas, the original lead star, the late Rudy Fernandez, from his uncle Joko Diaz, as well as his father Gary Estrada and his late lolo Paquito Diaz.

In terms of preparing for the hardcore action scenes, Kiko studied some martial arts like muay thai as well as grappling. He gamely executed a lot of the stunts himself.

“I rolled my ankle the second day and we still had to do stunts, like there was a big scene, an explosion and we hadn’t done that yet. I rolled my ankle before that but (I told the production) we’re not gonna do this shot with the (body) double. Just make me the rest, I’m gonna take alaxan, wait for two hours and I’m going to do it,” he said of the show’s action sequences.

“By the grace of God, I prayed and we did it. It seemed like nothing happened. But the day after, I tell you, my ankle was swollen and all,” he laughingly shared.

“I would want to do everything but they controlled me to choose, especially after that (incident)... I also hyperextended my elbow in another action scene. But that’s a part of the job and I love my job and those are the sacrifices that you have to make to make a good show.

“It’s nothing to me right now. That’s why I got emotional during the (advance) screening yesterday. People don’t understand the journey that I have to go through to finish the episodes.”

Kiko couldn’t be any happier with the timing of this project in his life. He’s grateful to the bosses of Viva who handpicked him for the lead role. The show is co-produced by TV5, Studio Viva and Sari Sari.

“It’s the most important thing in my life right now,” said Kiko. “I’m very focused. Like I said in past interviews, this project took a lot out of me in preparing for it... conditioning my everything to become this character who lost everything. Yes, I did and I can relate but not to the extremes that Norman dela Cruz had to go through.”

Speaking more about his character Norman dela Cruz and how it resonated with him, he said, “Norman is a boy who lost everything and is forced to become a man really quick in dealing with the morality of seeking revenge in the wrong way and finally learning what real revenge is. And accepting that fact is really hard for him but it’s part of growing up.”

Saying he had to find similarities between himself and Norman as part of his portrayal, he particularly loved how his character “never gave up.”

“I wanted to give up not just in showbiz, but in the totality of life. I’m sure people have reached the rock bottom... But I always love a good redemption story. I think that’s the essence of being a human being, someone who’s in the ashes and rises like a Phoenix... and blooms. For me, that’s the story of Norman and the story of this show.”

Kiko readily admitted that he’s feeling the pressure of having to lead the show.

“I’m just keeping my head down listening to every good advice,” he said on how he’s coping with the mounting pressure and expectations. “I’m just lucky that I have good producers, good directors that are guiding me throughout the process and of course, a lovely cast to support me. Yeah, that’s how I deal with it and of course, a loving family to go back to.”

Kiko also shared the short and simple piece of advice that his mom Cheska Diaz gave him. “She just said, ‘Don’t mess this up.’”

“Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” also stars Sid Lucero, Joko Diaz, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Sarah Lahbati, among others.