Janella Salvador says ‘well-written’ script convinced her accept ‘Mallari’ role

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Janella Salvador. Image: Facebook/Mentorque

Janella Salvador confessed that she was scared to be typecast as a horror actress due to her past works, but it was the “well-written” script of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Mallari” that convinced her to accept the role.

Salvador admitted during the film’s press conference that she initially wanted to take a break from the horror genre. She said she used to constantly accept projects of the same genre in the past.

“Sabi ko sa sarili ko na parang gusto kong munang magpahinga sa horror kasi medyo nata-typecast na rin ako sa mga horror (I told myself that I want to take a break from doing horror because I feel like I’m being typecast in the horror genre),” she said.

“My first film was ‘Haunted Mansion,’ it was horror. I also did ‘Bloody Crayons,’ it’s also a slasher film. [I also did] ‘Killer Bride,’” she continued. “Parang naging tuloy-tuloy ‘yung horror. Hindi siya nawala and I said, gusto ko munang magpahinga (It’s like I kept on taking horror projects. It never went away and I said, I want to rest for now).”

“Mallari” and others “horror” projects aside, Salvador is still enjoying her biggest break yet after bagging the role of the villainess Valentina in “Mars Ravelo’s Darna.”

Her role as Nikki Lim in “Be Careful with My Heart,” Sophie Cepeda in “Oh My G,” and as the lead of the upcoming movie “Under Parallel Skies” with Thai actor Win Metawin, are also not to be sneered at.

But what made Salvador realize that “Mallari” is a project worth accepting is the “well-written” script and storyline, as she noted the “smallest characters” were also given justice

“As soon as I read the script, [I realized that] this is something that I couldn’t pass up. It’s so well-written. You wouldn’t fully understand the storyline unless you read it fully,” she said. “It’s very detailed and beautifully written, even up to the smallest characters.”

Working with Piolo Pascual

The actress-singer then spoke about initially being nervous in acting alongside “Mallari” lead actor Piolo Pascual. She would soon realize that Pascual is just someone who remained passionate about his craft.

“Kinabahan ako nang slight kasi hindi ko lang makakatrabaho rito si Papa P., partner ko pa siya rito. Kinabahan ako pero I couldn’t let it pass,” she said, referring to Pascual using his moniker. “Because he’s Piolo. He has accomplished so much. Pero noong nasa set na kami never kong naramdaman na Piolo siya.”

(I was a bit nervous because not only would I be working with Papa P, but also he’s my partner. I was nervous but I couldn’t let it pass. Because he’s Piolo. He has accomplished so much. But when we’re on the set, I never felt that he’s Piolo.)

Salvador also praised Pascual’s “generosity” and her fellow castmates’ dedication to do their best in their respective characters during the mediacon.

“[Piolo] is very generous. I could also see him working hard for his role. All of us, we’re all really just trying to portray our roles na pantay-pantay kami (as equals) and we worked very hard for this film,” she said.

“Mallari” is based on the story of the priest Juan Severino Mallari who is said to be the first documented serial killer in the Philippines. The movie also stars Gloria Diaz, JC Santos, and Elisse Joson.

The Derick Cabrido-helmed film, along with its fellow entries, will premiere on Dec. 25 and will run until Jan. 7, 2024.