‘Booked and blessed’: Dylan Menor’s leading man era begins
This was at the advanced screening of “Project Loki,” held at Gateway Mall Cinema 16, where one thing became crystal clear: Dylan Menor is no longer the promising newcomer. He is ready for his extreme close-up.
With the hard work he put in, it’s a good thing he knows it. That is why after the credits rolled, he let it all out with his emotions, and it was actually the first time we saw him tear up. And honestly? Who could blame him?
“Project Loki” marks his first-ever lead role in a Wattpad adaptation that already comes with a massive built-in following with over 93 million reads and counting. That’s 93 million expectations. Ninety-three million imaginations that have already pictured what Loki Mendez should look like, sound like and feel like. And last night, those readers finally saw him.
When Dylan stepped up to speak, his emotion overtook his composure.
Dylan shared, “I’m just so happy that we are our best at nagawa namin (ang) best namin.” Beside him was his leading lady, Jayda Avanzado, who was just as overwhelmed that they looked each other eye to eye before she said, “It’s so surreal, and it’s still sinking in. I just want to see that I’m proud of our Loki family. I’m proud of you, Dylan.”
Of course the gentleman reciprocated, “I’m proud of you, Jayda.”
Cue the collective “Awww!,” which came from everyone in the room. You don’t fake that kind of exchange. You don’t choreograph that eye contact. That’s what happens when two young artists realize they have survived something big together.
Let’s talk about one of the biggest challenges in adapting a web novel with a cult following. It is indeed risky business.
“Project Loki” is rooted in the bestselling story by Rheinlander Musni, better known online as AkoSiIbarra. Readers have been emotionally invested in Clark University’s web of secrets for years. They know every twist, every betrayal, every layered reveal involving the QED Club with a mystery crime premise in a university, where nothing is as it seems.
At the heart of it are Lorelei and Loki, the two sharp minds navigating a maze of unsettling incidents. As cases intensify, new players enter the picture: Luthor, the powerful student council vice president and Loki’s older brother; Jamie, the drama club standout with a memory that misses nothing; and Alistair, the loyal best friend stepping into a darker territory than he’s used to. In the pilot alone, viewers saw enough to know this isn’t your typical campus drama.
Playing Loki Mendez requires restraint. He’s not loud. He’s not flashy. He’s observant, analytical and slightly mysterious.
Interestingly, Dylan admitted that side isn’t hard to access.
“Lumalabas din naman yung pagiging nonchalant ko, pagiging mysterious… yun yung pwede kong paghugutan sa character ko para mas mabigyan ko ng justice at ma-portray ko nang maayos si Loki Mendez,” he shared.
That quiet confidence we saw was translated onscreen. Jayda herself embraced the layered world of “Project Loki,” even acknowledging the fandom culture surrounding it. She also has been a Wattpad reader for quite some time.
“Something unique about ‘Project Loki’ is, even though meron siyang kaunting delulu moments, natutuwa ako sa mga shippers online ng ‘Loreki’ at ng ‘Lorethor,’” said she. “So, excited ako to play up those scenes.”
She understands the Internet and the kilig. But more importantly, she understands the responsibility. Lorelei isn’t just a love interest. She’s a crucial mind within the QED Club — a driving force in cracking the mysteries that plague Clark U.
Another standout that night was director Xian Lim. Fans may have known him primarily as an actor, but in “Project Loki,” he steers the ship.
As for the early reviews, they’re strong. Attendees praised the visual discipline — the intentional angles, the pacing of reveals and the attention to atmosphere.
Xian shared, “Hindi mangyayari ang lahat ng ito kung diko pinagdaanan lahat in the last we’re just very proud of the persistence in hard work that we showcased here because all the people here in ‘Project Loki’ are fans.”
The word “fans” matters. It wasn’t treated like just another project.
Xian worked closely with the author, ensuring character nuances remained intact — not just how they looked, but how they spoke, moved and carried themselves.
Marco Gallo steps into the role of Luthor, Loki’s older brother — a character layered with authority and hidden depth.
“I’m excited to do it, but then, I’m scared at the same time because it’s something new... you’re like dipping your feet into new waters, and hopefully, on set, we’re gonna be able to do it.”
Yumi Garcia, who is playing Jamie, teased audiences confidently, “You will love me, hate me… and love me again, but one thing’s for sure, you will never forget me.”
Martin Venegas, on the other hand, embraced the genre shift head-on.
“Transition(ing) from rom-com to thriller, nakaka-pressure siya kasi ibang genre siya compared sa pinanggalingan ko, at the same time, I’m excited kasi hindi na siya rom-com, more on mystery na ‘to, eh… it’s very exciting.”
“Project Loki” begins streaming today, Feb. 21. on Cignal Play and Viva One.
Based on the early reaction, something tells me the conversation has already started. We won’t be surprised if season two will be a sealed deal even before it premieres.
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