Ping Medina, Sandino Martin name their idols, inspirations

Sandino Martin

Who entertains the entertainers? What do they identify with? Actors Ping Medina and Sandino Martin share with the Inquirer some of their influences and idols.

SANDINO MARTIN

Actor, “Ringgo: The Dog Shooter,” “Oro”

Singer/band: One of my favorite bands is Up Dharma Down, now simply known as UDD. I grew up with jazz music and UDD feels jazzy to me. I also like its indie-pop vibe—so millennial and classic at the same time. I usually listen to the group’s songs through Spotify while driving to work.

Film: “Himala” is one of the most memorable. I think I was 6 years old when I first watched it, and I remember not understanding a thing…It was only after nine years when I truly appreciated the whole concept of it. Nora Aunor totally fascinated me. It was one of the moments that created that desire to pursue acting—and to create moving, meaningful films.

Music format/service: My curiosity has been piqued by vinyl records. Not into the whole hipster thing, but I just like the idea of collecting items from the past and having a turntable in your house—it’s like bringing back a lost era and living in it. It’s good to explore things you’re not born into—going against the flow a bit, to see what else is out there.

Superhero/comics: As a kid, I always wanted to be Batman! I loved the idea of having a man-cave hidden beneath your home, stuffed with über-cool gadgets, a car that pretty much does everything, and a butler, of course!

TV/online series: “Game of Thrones!”

Author/book: Dan Brown’s “Inferno.” It was amazing how Brown interweaved his action-packed story with facts about art and famous landmarks. Reading the book felt like browsing a museum and immersing yourself in classical art. It sort of blurred the lines between fact and fiction. I think the movie was disappointing, though.

Pop culture era: The ’90s era is the best! The music, the video games, movies and street games—things just felt more iconic, and so we look back to those with so much nostalgia. And it was a time when there was a healthy dependence on technology, and interactions were more real.

Ping Medina

PING MEDINA

Actor, “Dukot”

Singer/band: Billy Corgan and Smashing Pumpkins. One of the few bands I would pay P50,000 to watch live.

Film: Super tough question. Right now, “Embrace of the Serpent.” Think Werner Herzog doing “Apocalypse Now” while high on ayahuasca.

Music format/service: Tape. I grew up listening to Eraserheads and Wolfgang, and I had to rewind it again and again. Made savoring the genius much sweeter.

Superhero/comics: Batman forever. He can be a real person. He could be me if I had a trillion dollars!

TV/online series: “Breaking Bad.” Best scripting, storytelling and story concept ever. I mean, a down-on-his-luck chemistry professor who becomes a “shabu” kingpin? Mind-blowing s–t!

Book/author: Haruki Murakami. “The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.” It’s a tedious, meandering read, but Murakami always has this hypnotic way with words that strings you along for the ride.

Pop culture era: Big ’80s kid here. Joy Division, Depeche Mode—there was something about that era, the clothes, the sound, the lifestyle…so unique!