Carlo Aquino makes movie comeback as male lead in ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen’

Award-winning actor Carlo Aquino will make a big screen comeback via upcoming movie “Meet Me In St. Gallen” opposite actress Bela Padilla.

Carlo has spent quite some time away from the movie scene, now that he’s returned to making films again, he’s more than ready to take on the challenge of being a leading man in “Meet Me in St. Gallen.”

At first, however, he couldn’t believe that Joyce Bernal and Irene Villamor (the film’s director and writer) of Spring Films really wanted him to play the male lead.

“When they pitched this to me, ilang beses ko silang tinanong kung sigurado ba sila na gusto nila akong kunin,” he said in intimate interview with him on Friday. “Oo daw. Sabi pa nga nilang lahat sa akin: ‘Halika, sumama ka sa amin. Magiging maganda ito.’ Nakakatuwa silang katrabaho kasi napaka-positive nilang lahat. Mahirap siya because it’s a whole new monster. First time ko nga bilang male lead. Pero sobrang thankful ako na sa akin nila binigay itong opportunity na ito.”

Carlo said he was attracted to the project because of its concept, which he described as unique. He also welcomed the chance to work with Bela Padilla.

Carlo Aquino

“Kay Direk Irene galing ‘yung concept,” he said. “Nagustuhan ko siya kasi it’s not your typical romantic comedy. It also tackles moral issues. Naintriga din ako nung sinabi nila sa akin na central ang dialogue dito sa pelikulang ito, to the point na kapag nag-buckle ka, or medyo matamlay yung delivery mo, babagsak yung buong pelikula. Never pa akong nakakagawa ng ganung pelikula, and naisip ko gusto ko siyang subukan, kaya ako napa-oo. Happy ako na in this lifetime, magkakaroon ako ng ganitong klaseng pelikula, at partner ko pa si Bela. Successful yung mga movies niya, and she’s smart pa. Sobrang saya ko na nakatrabaho ko siya.”

Carlo said getting into character was somewhat challenging for him because he and Jesse, the character he plays, are totally different.

“Pareho kaming musicians, pero hanggang doon lang ang similarities namin,” he said. “Magkaiba kami in the sense na hindi sinusuportahan ng parents ni Jesse yung mga plano niya sa buhay. Yung parents niya may ibang plan for his life. Ako kasi, nung lumapit ako sa parents ko at sinabi ko sa kanila na gusto kong mag-artista, sinuportahan nila ako. Magkaibang-magkaiba ang circumstances namin ni Jesse kaya nagpatulong ako kay Direk Irene. Yun naman ang gusto ko sa kanya bilang direktor. Kahit ano ang itanong mo sa kanya, sasagutin ka niya.”

Carlo hopes that “Meet Me in St. Gallen” will remind moviegoers that despite the fact that technology has taken over most aspects of human life, there’s still something to be said about real human interaction.

“Mas madali to connect with people dahil sa mga gadgets, pero iba pa rin kasi kapag in person mo nakasama o nakausap ang kapwa mo. Kapag magkaharap na kayo, sigurado ka na totoo yung sinasabi niya sa ‘yo, ‘di ba? Mas ramdam mo yung sincerity ng isang tao kapag ganun.”

Carlo is ready to show people just why he was called one of the best actors of his generation with “Meet Me in St. Gallen.”

It may have taken Carlo a while to get here, but he doesn’t regret not taking the leap earlier in his career. Carlo believes everything happens for a reason and at the right time.

“I got lost for a while, pero hindi ko pinagsisisihan yung pinagdaanan ko kasi I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for all of that.”

Partly shot Switzerland’s St. Gallen, “Meet Me In St. Gallen” is written and directed by Irene Villamor, the same writer and director of the certified hit movie “Camp Sawi.” Another production of Spring Films and Viva Films showing in cinemas starting Feb. 7. /atm