Romnick Sarmenta in a scene from “About Us But Not About Us.” Image: The IdeaFirst Company
Romnick Sarmenta, who is still reeling from his Best Actor win at the 47th Gawad Urian Awards, said “truthful storytelling” is the factor he considers the most important when it comes to choosing projects.
Sarmenta brought home the Best Actor plum for his performance in the film “About Us But Not About Us,” besting Paolo O’Hara, Euwenn Mikaell, Cedrick Juan, Jansen Magpusao, and Carlo Aquino.
“Siyempre, lahat ng pagkilala — ke award or criticism — lahat ‘yun dapat nagdadagdag ng fuel para sa trabaho at magpursige para ayusin ang mga ginagawa mo,” he said of his win on the sidelines of the awards ceremony. “Magkwento ka nang magandang storya. Gan’un dapat lagi ang fuel for your character.”
(Of course, all forms of recognition — whether it’s an award or criticism — everything should be a fuel to do better at your job. Tell good stories, this should be the fuel for your character.)
The actor, who’s known for starring in projects with evocative narratives, said he believes in the “truth” of a story when it comes to choosing his next film or series.
“‘Yung truth ng project, kung totoo ang storya. Hindi siya for the sake na para mapagusapan or hindi maging exploitative — parang poverty porn. Dapat meron siyang saving grace or kung masama ang role ko, dapat magbayad ako,” he said.
(I believe in the truth of the project and its story. It is not for the sake of sparking conversations or being exploitative — kind of like poverty porn. It should have a saving grace, or if I’m starring as a villain, I must pay.)
Romnick Sarmenta (left) and Elijah Canlas in “About Us But Not About Us”
Sarmenta admitted that he doesn’t want stories that “compromises” a screenwriter’s conviction, saying he wants his set of beliefs to be challenged as well.
“Hindi pwedeng wala lang dahil gusto natin dahil masyadong mabait ang bida, [for example]. Hindi dapat maging gan’un. Patawarin mo ko pero dapat ipakulong mo ko or ipabangga mo ko sa trak or whatever. Hindi dapat ma-compromise ang convictions mo,” he said.
(I don’t want things to happen just because the lead character is kind, for example. It shouldn’t be that way. You must forgive me but you must put me in jail or hire someone to hit me with a truck or whatever. Your convictions shouldn’t be compromised.
On acting, being a father
While looking back at his acting career, Sarmenta said he learned how to believe in the value of his craft, as he pointed out that actors should develop the mindset of basking in its truth.
“Gusto kong isipin na ever since, mas naintindihan ko ang ginagawa ko. Gusto kong isipin na ang hinahanap [kong proyekto] ang may kabuluhan ang storya. Hindi ‘yun dapat magbago. Hindi siya dapat maging gawin [dahil kailangan]… dapat totoo. Dapat nararamdaman mo ‘yung ginagawa mo,” he said.
(I want to believe that since then, I believe in my craft more. I want to believe in choosing projects with deep stories. That shouldn’t change. I shouldn’t do this because I have to. I need to stay true to my core. I should feel what I’m doing.)
Apart from the spotlight, the actor spoke about being a dad to his six children, saying there was a time he even took a break to focus on being a doting father.
“Actually, ang hindi alam ng marami is tumigil ako ng ilang taon kasi gusto kong unahin [ang pagiging ama]. Noong pinapili ako between sa karera ko at pagiging ama ko, ama ako bago ang aking karera,” he said.
(Actually, what many people don’t know is I was away for years because I wanted to prioritize being a father. When I was asked to choose between my career or being a good dad, I would prioritize being a dad over my career.)
This marks Sarmenta’s first Gawad Urian win. Throughout the award ceremony’s history, he received three Best Actor nods in 1998 (“Damong Ligaw”), 1999 (“Miguel/Michelle”), and 2008 (“Princesa”).
He also bagged the Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performances in “Johnny Tinoso and the Proud Beauty” and “Kung Paano Hinihintay Ang Dapithapon” in 1995 and 2019, respectively.