Aljur Abrenica talks about ‘Hermano Puli’

Aljur Abrenica talks about Cinemalaya 2016 entry “Hermano Puli” PHOTO by Clarizel Abanilla/Inquirer.net

Just minutes after the Inquirer Group released a promo material about his guesting, many callers rang up, ecstatically anticipating to see actor Aljur abrenica at the ShowbizLIVE, Inquirer’s first online-based entertainment talk show.

The Aug. 10 episode, wherein the actor talked about his experiences filming his Cinemalaya 2016 entry “Hermano Puli,” was one of the most viewed, illustrating the hunk actor’s arresting appeal to his legions of fans.

Indeed, with the great number of following he has, Abrenica is very thankful for all the blessings he is receiving.

“Grateful naman ako sa lahat ng nangyayari sa ‘tin ngayon tulad po ng Hermano Puli, our incoming film na napili sa Cinemalaya, projects very soon and concerts. Meron tayong concert with Rocco Nacino, with Derrick Monasterio and Jake Vargas, marami pang iba,” he said.

Abrenica, though, admits that some issues marred the filming of the movie. But eventually everything was ironed out and filming proceeded smoothly to completion.

“Iba talaga yung pinagdaanan namin sa film na ‘to; last year kasi napili kami sa Metro Manila Film Festival at the last minute. From scratch kasama po ako diyan, magkasama kami ni Direk Gil, naghanap kami ng sarili naming producer and then finally nangyari na early this year lang. We’re very happy sa resulta na dumadating na yung mga pinaghirapan namin, sa mga school tours at napili pa kami sa Cinemalaya. Burst of joy and excitement ang nararamdaman namin,” he said.

As the lead role in the film, Abrenica gave a little background of Hermano Puli and stressed that he should be given the same recognition accorded to national hero Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio and the three martyr priests (collectively known as GomBurZa).

“Para po sa akin, siya po ang inspirasyon ng lahat ng bayani natin–sila Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio at ng tatlong pari. Si Hermano Puli po ang kauna-unahang Pilipino na umaklas laban sa mga Espanyol. Siya po para sa akin ang unang namulat at unang nakaintindi talaga ng sinasabi ng Bibliya. Ang katanungan niya, bakit ang sabi sa Bibliya lahat tayo pantay pantay sa paningin ng Diyos pero bakit kayong mga Espanyol ang trato niyo sa amin ay alipin,” he explained.

Abrenica stressed that doing a period film is a demanding task, even as his acting was highly praised by director Gil Portes.

“’Di naman nagkulang si Direk Gil sa pagbibigay ng advice. As an actor naman I’m just really going for ventures na hindi ko pa binaybay tulad nitong ‘Hermano Puli.’ It’s a historical film, hindi ko pa nagagawa ‘yan,” he said.

His dedication to the portrayal of the Philippine hero included immersing himself in his character the best way possible. Thus, he did the same things the real Hermano Puli did, such as going to the places where he went in his lifetime.

“Nag edge work ako, nag immerse ako–kinakain ko kung ano yung kinakain ni Hermano Puli. Kung saan siya naglalakad papuntang bayan ng mga ila-ilang oras, nilalakad ko yun. At meron akong nakitang ilog sinasabi ng mga taga roon, dun daw siya naliligo at nagmemeditate, ginawa ko din yun,” he recounted.

“I even read the Bible, yung Tagalog version, tapos on my own nagpipreach ako sa loob ng kuwarto for two weeks, siguro actually for a month, tapos vinivideo ko yung sarili ko. Tinitingnan ko kung nacoconvince ako sa sarili ko,” he added.

Producing the movie and vow of celibacy

In making any movie, it all boils down to the capacity to produce it and indeed, even an empowering film such as “Hermano Puli” met such a challenge. However, all’s well that ends well with the movie getting the honor of Cinemalaya’s closing film today, Sunday.

“Nahirapan talaga kami sa paghahanap ng producer. Literally kumakatok kami sa pintuan ng mga kaibigan namin para i-offer yung pelikula.”

Slambook segment

In the part where guests are asked questions and answer quickly and honestly, Abrenica was game and witty.

Abrenica’s answers:

1. Unang tinitignan mo sa babae? Mata
2. Kung magpapatattoo ka saang part ito ng katawan mo? Dibdib
3. Nakapanood ka na ba ng x-rated movies? Yes, ‘di ko na mabilang.
4. Dream date: Yate
5. Pinakamahal na nairegalo mo sa babae? Gadget na dinodrawingan, advanced na ginagamit ng mga artist sa Hollywood.
6. Sino ang pinagbigyan mo nito? Blah blah
7. Sex or massage? Both
8. May video scandal ka ba? Wala
9. Kung ulam ka ano ka? Kalderetang kambing
10. Umiyak ka na ba dahil sa babae? Oo, self-realization
11. May pinaiyak ka na bang babae? Oo, marami na, na hindi ko alam.
12. May binalikan ka na bang ex? Yes, maraming beses na.
13. Kung superhero ka anong gusto mong powers? Yung nakakalipad sana
14. Boobs or butt? Butt
15. Yes or No to divorce? Hindi ko siya masagot dahil marriage is still a question for me.
16. Yes or No, Live in? Yes
17. Yes or No, Pre-marital sex? Yes
18. Yes or No, Pre-Nuptial agreement? I don’t know.
19. Loob o labas? Labas?
20. Mainit o malamig? Depende
21. Ulan o araw? Araw
22. Submissive o go-getter? Depende
23. Sexiest part of your body? Abs
24. Ultimate crush sa showbiz? Jessy Mendiola
25. Nakailang girlfriends ka na? Tatlo
26. My last passionate kiss was? Wuow! I can’t remember man!
27. My most memorable kiss was? On a balcony of a condominium
28. Huli akong umiyak nung? Last night
29. Huli akong umiyak ni? Daddy
30. Weird habit ko sa gabi? Restless mind, can’t sleep at night
31. Most tanga moment ko sa pagibig ay? Wala
32. Favorite position? Kahit ano
33. Love without sex or sex without love? Love without sex (for 2 weeks)
34. Sino ang lalaking huling pinagselosan mo ng matindi? O man, ‘wag na.
35. Naligawan ka na ba ng lalaki? Yes, pero I don’t let it but di ko pinuputol. Gusto ko ituloy yung pagkakaibigan.

ShowbizLIVE can be viewed every Wednesday at 8-9 p.m. on Radyo Inquirer, Inquirer 990 Television and inquirer.net website, Facebook, YouTube and Periscope. The show is hosted by Inquirer Bandera’s entertainment editor Ervin Santiago, Inquirer.net entertainment reporter Izel Abanilla and Mark Suntay (global entertainment news). For more show-biz news follow our hosts on Instagram: Ervin Santiago – @ervinsantiago7; Izel Abanilla – @zelabanilla; and Mark Suntay – @themarksuntay.