Matteo to showcase traditional PH martial arts in Pedro Penduko remake

Matteo Guidicelli

As the new star of Viva Films’ upcoming reimagining of Pedro Penduko, Matteo Guidicelli said he hopes to help highlight Filipino culture, especially that of the Visayas.

“It’ll be based on the region’s folklore and history. The same goes for the other characters in it,” Matteo told reporters at a recent press conference for the film—now simply titled “Penduko” and will be directed by Jason Paul Laxamana.

It goes without the saying that local martial arts will be prominently used for the fight scenes, which will be choreographed by stunt director Sonny Sison, who has worked for such projects as “BuyBust” and “Encantadia 2016.”

“Traditional martial arts will be featured. There will be stick and knife fighting … hand-to-hand combat. It will be nice to showcase those. Why opt for others when we have our own?” Matteo said. “Pedro will have tattoos on his chest, and we want to use old styles.”

Asked by the Inquirer what he thinks are the qualities he shares with the character, Matteo, who hails from Cebu, said: “I’m also just a normal boy from the Visayas. He’s proud to be a Filipino, a Visayan. And he wants to show the world how good we are.”

Matteo, who’s now an Army reserve second lieutenant, is thankful for his military background, which has been helping him endure the rigorous training for the movie. “But it’s not about hitting hard, but pulling off controlled and fluid moves. It’s like dance almost,” he pointed out.

In this version of National Artist Francisco Coching’s classic comic-book character, Pedro is an orphan who ends up becoming a petty thief.

Unable to find his place in society, he sets out on a journey to his mother’s homeland, Bag-ompala—a dimension inhabited by ancient Filipinos who have preserved their traditional way of life and connection with the supernatural. There, Pedro discovers his spiritual powers that had remained dormant while living in the modern world.

The role was originally James Reid’s. The actor-singer, however, had to pull out of the project in June, reportedly due to a spinal injury.

Did Matteo mind being a replacement?

“Not really. When it was offered to me, I was like, ‘Let’s go!’” related Matteo, who was the unanimous choice of Viva executives to take on the role.

“Doing an action [film] is a dream come true,” Matteo said. “It’s overwhelming. We all know that Pedro Penduko is a big name in pop culture. It’s an honor and privilege to do the role. I hope to do it justice and give a credible performance.”

The rest of the cast has yet to be announced. But though the production team has already clarified that there will be no leading lady in the movie, some fans are still hoping that Matteo’s girlfriend, Sarah Geronimo, could at least make a cameo appearance.

“I have no idea. It depends on the bosses,” he said, adding that doing a project with Sarah will happen “in God’s perfect time. Why not? That would be great.”