NACINO. Portrays St. Pedro Calungsod in upcoming MMFF entry
Rocco Nacino is so busy these days he doesn’t have enough time for himself or his family—but, it’s the kind of “problem” he appreciates:
On the big screen, he made life a living hell for Marian Rivera and Richard Gutierrez in “My Lady Boss,” was cast as a missing activist in Cinemalaya 2013’s closing film, “Burgos,” played a closeted homosexual infatuated with his homophobic best friend in “I Luv U, Pare Ko,” and portrays the second Filipino saint in the upcoming Metro Manila film fest entry, “Pedro Calungsod: Batang Martir.”
Busy as a bee
Rocco is also as busy as a bee on TV: He portrayed beleaguered Mayor Joseph Santiago in the CMMA-winning political drama series, “Bayan Ko,” a bida-kontrabida in the teleserye, “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas,” and expands his performing range as cohost of GMA 7’s latest Public Affairs show, “Out of Control” (starting today, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m.), which tackles its guests’ various psychological disorders.
The 27-year-old actor beams, “I’m thrilled to take on this hosting gig because the subject matter it tackles is right up my alley.” The actor finished a degree in nursing before he placed second in the network’s popular talent search, “Starstruck.”
Has “Bayan Ko” made him more political? Rocco replies, “Politically ‘aware,’ to be more precise. Ever since I played the idealistic, 35-year-old public servant, people have been calling me ‘Mayor’ and asking me to seek public office—but, politics isn’t for me.”
The second season of the series will tackle more relevant issues, like the pork barrel scam and an assassination attempt on Mayor Santiago’s life.
Emotionally daunting
What was it like portraying a desaparecido in the Jonas Burgos biopic? He discloses, “It was emotionally daunting. His brothers became my barkada. It was hard to take part in the movie’s depiction of his abduction, because his family was there during the shoot, and I would see them cry—especially in the scene where he says goodbye to his mother (played by Lorna Tolentino).”
Rocco basks in the diversity of the characters he plays. What is his most challenging role so far? He answers, “Each has its challenges—but, I find playing San Pedro Calungsod emotionally and physically tiring, because of the amount of training it requires, and the spiritual credibility you need to convey.
“I had to learn Spanish, Cebuano and Latin, and I’m taking voice lessons, because I need to sing some Latin hymns—and, more than anything, I need to find his spirituality to be believable in the role!”