Alfred Vargas with his son, Alfredo Cristiano IV
“You need to set your priorities and focus on them. You will have to sacrifice a big chunk of your social life, personal time or vacations … your other dreams, too,” actor-politician Alfred Vargas said.
Alfred still makes it a point to accept acting jobs occasionally despite his busy schedule as Quezon City’s fifth district representative.
And he does this for two reasons, he said.
First, to satiate his thirst for “creative endeavors.” “My aim was to do at least one project a year. I yearn for creative work,” he said. “Otherwise, I don’t think I would be able to function as an individual.”
The second is for more practical reasons. “I have to be candid about it—I still have to provide for my family. I don’t make a lot from being a politician. But I have a wife and three children, whom I want to support and give the the best life I can,” he said.
Alfred has two upcoming movies. “Kaputol,” which is already in the can, stars Cherie Gil and Angel Aquino. The other has a working title, “HKNY,” and will have him working with Iza Calzado and Shaina Magdayao soon.
“‘Kaputol’ is a film within a film—it follows a director (Cherie) and an actor (Alfred). It’s about finding one’s self amid love, loss. Our cinematographer is Lav Diaz,” he said.
“We might screen it abroad first. I believe we have already gotten invites from film festivals. Let’s see.”
“‘HKNY’ is called such because some scenes will be shot in Hong Kong and New York … This one will be more mainstream,” he added. “Both films are directed by Mac Alejandre and written by Ricky Lee.”