Ruru, Martin and Shaira recall unforgettable on-and-off-screen moments in ‘Lolong’

The Kapuso primetime adventure serye “Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila” wraps up tonight on a high note given its ratings and following.

A piece of information given to The STAR shares that the male lead character, Lolong, played by Ruru Madrid, has been seen to “push the limits” in protecting everyone, including Elsie, portrayed by Shaira Diaz, and facing nemesis Ivan (Martin del Rosario), especially in the GMA Public Affairs program’s finale episode.

“Lolong” promises a gripping and thrilling season ending.

Ruru, Shaira and Martin, meanwhile, looked back on their unforgettable on-screen and off-screen moments while on the “Lolong” set.

“With Martin (as we played our characters), the menudo scene,” answered Shaira to the question sent by this paper and facilitated by the “Lolong” publicity team. She was referring to a scene where Ivan forced Elsie to eat menudo, a stew dish, and he treated the character badly. Elsie’s ordeal ran for a week-long episode.

“Sobrang naubos ako dun (I was very exhausted),” added Shaira, “Emotionally, physically mahirap siya (it was emotionally and physically challenging to do).”

As for sharing the screen with Ruru, she considered all the heavy drama scenes unforgettable and the bed scene where Lolong and Elsie became intimate. As a mature actress, it was Shaira’s first time to act in such a love scene.

“I’m grateful to the (people behind) ‘Lolong’ for having entrusted me with that kind of story arc for Elsie,” said she.

Martin, on the other hand, found his fight scenes memorable because he had never done an action project in the past.

“When ‘Lolong’ was offered to me, I was really nervous about how I could execute and do the action scenes,” recalled he. “Parang nag-aalinlangan ako, alam ko na si Ruru napakagaling sa action, kinakabahan ako (it seemed that I doubted at first and then, I know Ruru is so good at action).”

The thespian in him looked at and welcomed it as a challenge, as one may put it, and did deliver the goods, like in sequences reminiscent of the film “Fight Club.”

Martin was very proud of himself and pleased for being able to successfully complete a long fight scene, for instance, and keep up with Paul Salas and Ruru in action-packed bits.

“Buti na lang bago nag-start ang show, nag-training din kami sa form (it’s also a good thing and a help that we had training on form before the show began),” said he.

But what Ruru considered unforgettable was the point before “Lolong” transitioned to “Pangil ng Maynila.” He had heavy action and dramatic scenes there.

“It was really hard to do dahil simula umaga pa lang torture na yung mga eksena (because the scenes were physically draining already in the morning),” said he. “Then, you had a fight scene in the middle (of the day).”

So, the level of difficulty in accomplishing drama scenes was of the same level as that required in doing action.

“Ako kasi mini-make sure ko na hindi mapabayaan yung isang parte (I made sure that not one aspect of it was overlooked). I would give the same level of commitment to drama and action scenes,” shared he.

After immersing themselves in their roles and enjoying the collaborative work atmosphere, the “Lolong” stars remembered sharing food as an off-screen bonding moment. Shaira said everyone brought a dish and looked at it as somehow the secret ingredient why the “Lolong” family stuck together and became solid. Martin added that there were times when a co-star invited all to the tent and dined there.

And that sense of belongingness and family was also memorable to Ruru.

In what projects can fans and viewers watch them after “Lolong” season two?

Martin said his movie titled “Flower Girl,” also starring Sue Ramirez, will be shown in local theaters on June 18. He is also tapped to topbill another film with Sassa Girl.

“After ‘Lolong,’ I will be focusing on movies,” shared he.

Shaira returns to the morning talk show “Unang Hirit” and the infotainment program “iBilib” as a host.

For his next acting assignment, Ruru had this to say: “Hindi ko pwedeng sabihin ngayon, pero siguro, well, magiging ma-action itong panibagong proyekto na gagawin ko (I can’t give you specific details, but it’s going to be action). I hope I will be able to do another film.”

“May mga pini-pitch sa akin, pero tignan natin kung sa sakto sa oras (there have been projects being pitched to me but we’ll see if they fit my work schedule),” shared he. “I will also be doing a tour this coming August to September in Canada.”

(Please watch the finale episode of “Lolong: Pangil ng Maynila” tonight on GMA.)