JK Labajo says playing Ninoy Aquino in movie was daunting
JK Labajo. Image: screengrab from YouTube/Philstagers Films
Actor-singer JK Labajo recently opened up about playing Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. in “Ako Si Ninoy,” saying the film was the hardest role he had to play.
The movie was about the heroism of the slain politician, husband of former Pres. Corazon Aquino and father of actress Kris Aquino.
“When I was offered the role, I was really scared because I felt that as an actor the hardest role to play are real-life characters, because you have to play the character as authentic as possible,” said Labajo during the official launching of the movie’s trailer.
“Hopefully, I was able to play it well. I feel honored and scared at the same time kasi hindi ko pa nakikita ‘yung (because I have not seen the) movie,” he added.
For Labajo, the movie is bereft of political color as it is all about Aquino’s heroism which has become an inspiration for many Filipinos.
“I guess gusto ko lang pangunahan kasi maraming tao kapag sinasabi nilang ako si Ninoy, bakit may Ninoy, iisipin ng maraming tao na, ‘ah, dilawan’. That’s not the point in this film. We’re not going to change political views on things. We’re merely using Ninoy Aquino as a basis of what a hero is,” he explained. (I guess, I want to come ahead because many people believe that when they say why make a movie about Ninoy, many people would think, ‘it’s yellow.’)
“Dilawan” is term coined by some critics to describe the followers and supporters of the Aquinos, who have chosen the color yellow as their political color.
But Labajo insisted that more than the political undertones of the movie, Aquino should be commended for his ultimate sacrifice of his life for this country..
“In our own ways we sacrifice everything every single day. Marami tayong pinagdadaanan sa buhay. Marami tayong sakripisyong ginagawa,” he said. (We all went through so much in life, we made a lot of sacrifices).
Labajo said his role resonate so much with him as he was also a victim of misjudgment.
“Ako nakaka-relate ako kay Ninoy kasi maraming iba’t ibang bagay na lumalabas na naninira sa kanya. Ang pinaka masaklap, I guess, bilang isang tao sa showbiz industry, for people and the public to believe a different version of yourself and not believe the truth. Kasi naging biktima na ako niyan, maraming beses na. And it’s all about believing the truth and standing your ground,” he said, noting that “there’s a Ninoy in all of us because we all have our sacrifices and that is what makes us a hero.”
(I could relate to Ninoy because there were so many untruths that came out to destroy him. What’s worst, as a member of the showbiz industry, for the public to believe a different version of yourself and not believe the truth. I was a victim of that, many times over. It’s all about believing the truth and standing your ground.)
Incidentally, another movie is being produced by another outfit which sought to discount Aquino’s contribution to democracy, with former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno filling in the role of the contemporary martyr . EDV
