‘Mission accomplished’: How ‘Incognito’ changed the cast on and off screen

As the action-packed drama “Incognito” comes to an end, the ensemble cast thought about the lessons they learned from their respective characters in the series.

Directed by Lester Pimentel Ong, the series follows the story of the ex-military operatives-turned-private military contractors, dubbed as The Kontraks. They are carrying out their final mission in Marawi City, particularly the area called the Ground Zero of the 2017 Marawi siege.

“Incognito” is led by the star-studded cast of Daniel Padilla, Ian Veneracion, Baron Geisler, Kaila Estrada, Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal and Richard Gutierrez.

The show premiered in January this year and has featured various filming locations, such as Japan, Italy, Palawan, Benguet and Tacloban.

During the finale grand mediacon held recently at the Seda Vertis North, the cast members shared their honest reflections on how the show has changed them and motivated them since filming it last year.

Maris: ‘Incognito’ has ‘saved’ me

Maris, who portrays Gab Rivera, became emotional while thanking the people behind the camera. “Thank you for the friendship and bonding that were formed. If you’re watching ‘Incognito,’ kami yung astig tingnan, but in reality, it’s the crew, the stuntmen, all the people in the creative aspect, the writers, business unit head, director, stunt choreographers and promo team (who mounted the hit series). They have my massive respect.”

“Not that we’re saying goodbye, I just want to say that making this series, making ‘Incognito’ has saved me. You have no idea how much it saved me and how I grew as an actor. Thank you for giving me this role,” she added.

Essaying the role of Gab has also instilled in her a deep appreciation for women.

“Habang tumatagal parang nagkaroon ako ng deep appreciation for women who thrive in tough situations, women who are so strong in their masculine energy, women who work in a male-dominated society while playing the character of Gab Rivera,” she mused, adding that she developed a strong sense of respect for Filipino women.

Maris, who is more associated with rom-com and drama roles, had to do major adjustments in doing an action-themed series for the first time.

“It’s adjusting to a new genre, a different kind of camaraderie, a different kind of chemistry in production. It’s very different from the drama series, or rom-com movies or genre. Nagkaroon ako ng adjustment period.

“But I also realized that the women in military, police women, may kaibang ugali sila and napamahal ako sa kind of beauty na yun. And it doesn’t fit in the usual mold. But it’s as beautiful, it’s as human, it’s as powerful (as that). I have deep respect for these women.”

Daniel: ‘Incognito’ is the best decision I’ve made in my life

“Incognito” came at the time when Daniel was “feeling lost.” Nevertheless, bringing to life the role of Andres Malvar in the series has taught him the value of brotherhood.

He expressed his gratitude to all the viewers who supported them from the very start and the team behind the series as well. “And this cast, sobrang minahal ko ‘tong mga taong ‘to. I will do everything for them,” he went on.

Addressing direk Lester, Star Creatives Business Unit head Des de Guzman and writer Henry King Quitain, Daniel shared, “Alam natin ang pag-aalinlangan ko before I accepted this. That was the time where I was at the point in my life na ako ay gulong-gulo at litong-lito. But I think Maris was right, ito ang pinakamagandang desisyon na nagawa ko sa buhay ko (this is the best decision that I’ve made in life). Grabe ang lahat ng natutunan ko, lahat ng pinagdaanan, ang growth. And thank you sa Panginoon, ang galing talaga Niya.”

Reflecting on his character as Andres, Daniel said his role has shown him what brotherly love truly means.

“We all saw what Andres went through to find his long-lost brother Jun. And when he found him, ganun pa yung nangyari. But he didn’t turn away from him,” he shared.

“For me, that’s what true love means. Ano man ang kagaya ni Jun, his character or his personality, when I found him, I didn’t lose hope na may pagbabago, that he could change. Hindi ko agad tatalikuran yung mga ganung tao.”

Kaila: I’ve grown so much

Just like Maris, “Incognito” is also Kaila’s first foray into the action genre. “And this has been my dream since I started in show business, to do something in the action genre. So, physically, I’ve learned a lot, sa skills, dun pa lang I already felt like I’ve grown so much,” she ruminated.

One lesson that she gleaned from her character as Max Alvero was how to let go.

“Because when you watch her journey, you see how much holding on to something was actually holding her back from moving forward. And once she let go of that, another door opened, so when a door closes, another door opens. So, I think that’s what I learned and I guess that’s something that I carried on with me,” she explained.

She felt a hint of sadness saying goodbye to her character, the cast and the production team. “So, I hope there will be Season 2,” she said with a laugh.

Baron: I need to target to be a better version of myself

For Baron, portraying the role of a family man in the series as Migs Tecson has imparted in him “inner stillness, patience, responsibility and accountability.” Being a father in real life, he was able to relate to his character and apply fatherhood lessons to his daughters Sophia and Talitha.

“So, hindi lang ako parang nagkaroon ng show, I also learned valuable lessons from the show. Just like Miguel, patuloy lang ang laban sa pagbabago, sobriety, and the goals that I need to target to be a better version of myself,” he reflected.

“This is the first show na natapos ko na hindi ako nagkalat. I’m proud to say na hindi ako pumasok sa set na nakainum and it’s so liberating. And for sure, dahil nakaka-addict yung ganung feeling na kaya kong tapusin. So, I’ll be reaching for that goal in every show and movie that I have. Tuloy-tuloy lang.”

“Incognito” is also the series where Baron gets to play the good guy, a stark contrast to his antagonist characters in the past.

“It’s quite challenging. And also, as what direk Lester said, I already mastered the maniacal, crazy character. This one has a different flavor when it comes to playing a good guy role.”

He added, “ Miguel hits home talaga… I’m a recovering alcoholic, Miguel is also a recovering alcoholic. Dati akong doctor sa mga ibang bisyo, dito naman, doctor tsaka magaling akong sumipa, sniper din ako nuon. Pero ngayon yung mga tinitira ko na yung mga bad guys. Haha!”

Taking on a protagonist role is something that Baron will “cherish for the rest of my life.” “I hope there will be Season 2,” said Baron.

Will there be a Season 2?

Des, for her part, enumerated the top milestones “Incognito” has ever achieved.

“Actually, after every cycle or mission, sa hirap ng pinagdadaanan namin, I felt that, ‘Wow, milestone,’” she began. “But seriously, No. 1, it’s consistently giving the same level of action to our viewers, the same level daily for 26 weeks. Imagine.

“No. 2, we were able to shoot in three countries, and we were able to show locations that some of us have never been to. That’s a huge milestone for us. And No. 3, maybe it is very rare that we are able to create something, a franchise like ‘Incognito,’ which for me is really worthy of a spin-off and Season 2. Kasi sa dami ng nagsasabi sa akin and nababasa ko ang mga (positive) comments, I think that’s a milestone.”

The rest of the cast, direk Lester, Des and Henry conveyed their heartfelt gratitude to the viewers, the entire crew, stuntmen and the executives who made the series possible and a success.

Richard, who plays Jose Bonifacio in the series, declared, “On behalf of the entire team, thank you very much sa lahat ng taong sumubaybay sa ‘Incognito.’ This is for all of you… all the hard work is worth it. And now we’re towards the finish line, and I think we can happily say na mission accomplished tayo.”