Ahron Villena reveals being exploited in past film cameo

Ahron Villena. Image: Instagram/@ahronvillena

Ahron Villena revealed there was a time in his showbiz career when he felt exploited in a past film cameo, in which he felt he had no liberty to “say no.”

Villena said this in an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda where he and fellow sexy actor Luke Conde were guests last March 21. During the interview, Villena admitted in their early years in the industry, there had been a time when when his boundaries were crossed, and that there was a feeling that he had been “commodified” at some point in their careers.

When prodded by Abunda about the topic, the actor said the incident happened when he made a cameo appearance in a film. He, however, did not name the particular movie or production team involved.

“Na-experience ko ‘yun before during a movie pero I’m not going to name [the person]. Kailangan kong mag-plaster, and then cameo role lang ako doon sa movie na iyon,” Villena recalled.

(I experienced it before during a movie but I’m not going to name the person. I needed to wear a plaster and then it was a cameo in the film.)

A plaster is often used in films to protect actors from any shooting mishaps. Villena acknowledged that the use of plaster among actors is quite normal, especially for some sensitive scenes that involved showing one’s body parts.

“As long as nararamdaman mong hindi ka na-exploit or what, you don’t need to [do certain things]. Siguro kapag obvious na sinasadya (As long as you feel that you’re not exploited or what, you don’t need to do certain things. But know when to stop if it’s obvious that someone is trying to cross your boundaries),” the actor said.

In recalling the incident of his supposed “exploitation,” Villena said a certain staff member of the film volunteered to put the plaster on him. Although he felt uncomfortable, the actor said he didn’t have the courage to say no at the time.

“Tapos hinanap ako and then pagpasok niya, sabi niya, ‘Oh, bakit sila naglalagay niyan (plaster)? Ako na maglalagay niyan,’” he said. “Sabi ko, ‘Oh, sige po.’ Tapos feel ko parang may something, pero hindi ako umangal. I was too young and siyempre, kumbaga sa industry natin baka sabihin, ‘Ang arte naman ni Ahron.’”

(The staff was looking for me and when they came in, they asked, “Oh, why were they putting that? I will do it.” I said, “Oh, okay.” But I felt there was something there, but I did not say anything. I was too young and of course, knowing our industry, they might say, “Ahron is making this into a big deal.”

Abunda then asked Villena if he felt “abused” by the encounter, he nodded while saying, “that time” without expounding on the details.

This led the entertainment host to advise the actors and viewers to be mindful of their boundaries should such situations arise in the future.

“Ang leksyon naman d’un, say no and say it. Sabihin mo (The lesson there is to say no and say it. Be upfront),” he said.