River Joseph feels ‘blessed’ to work with Piolo Pascual in ‘Pamilya Sagrado’

River Joseph plays ‘Steven Hermoso’ in ‘Pamilya Sagrado.’ Image: INQUIRER.net/Armin P. Adina

Dreamscape’s “Pamilya Sagrado” has shaken primetime TV with a casting coup involving some of the best actors in the industry. But the new crime drama also has a host of rookie thespians including River Joseph, whose previous outings were brief guest appearances in several series.

The show tackles the complicated world of university fraternities, and has enlisted award-winning actors Piolo Pascual, Tirso Cruz III and John Arcilla, among others. It also showcases young leads Kyle Echarri and Grae Fernandez who Joseph was already expected to work more closely with.

But Joseph shared that he has already filmed several scenes with Pascual, who portrays the role of Gov. Rafael Sagrado. “I grew up watching Piolo, so it was just nice to see na, wow, I can see this up close. And iba talaga (it’s really different). Just watching him, just observing what he is on the set, preparation for the scene, and on the scene is something I’m very blessed to see,” the young actor said before a group of media scribes at Ralph’s Wines and Spirits in Makati City on Wednesday, Aug. 7.

“He (Pascual) also gave me tips. I think his general tip is to never stop learning, always be honest with your character, and always come prepared,” said Joseph, who considers “Pamilya Sagardo” as his real first TV series because it gave him a character to work on, “and to really see the development and growth of the character.”

Joseph essays the role of Steven Hermoso, a student of medicine and best friend of Fernandez’s Justin Sagrado, son of the governor that Pascual plays. “So, we are part of a fraternity called Gamma Sigma Xi. And during the hazing we accidentally kill the neophyte. So that’s where the story revolves around,” he shared.

“My character there, he’s the one who has more conscience compared to the other characters. So, in our scenes I’m always overthinking, or worrying what will happen, or how can we cover this up. So that’s the major dilemma of my character—what will I choose, loyalty to my brotherhood, loyalty to the family, or my own conscience?” Joseph said.

INQUIRER.net asked him what he wants the audience to take away from the show, and he said he hopes viewers will reflect on their values after watching. “I guess knowing where your loyalty is at, and choosing talaga (really) what is right from what is wrong, and which path do you follow if your family is saying this and you know it is wrong. Do you follow that, or do you go with your own conscience? So I guess the show will help the audience think for themselves, [on] which path they would really follow,” Joseph said.

The actor said that similar to Hermoso, he tries to be the more grounded one in his group. He shared that he calls out friends who have had too much to drink, or appoints himself as the designated caretaker of his friends who are already slammed. “Those small instances, I think, I see myself really trying to be the conscience, telling my friends if I see na (that) they’re doing wrong. Of course it’s hard to tell your friend na ‘huy, mali iyan’ (hey, you’re wrong). Pero (but) for the benefit of him, I try to, in the nicest way possible,” Joseph shared.

“I guess the way I was raised, the way I grew up, I grew up with four siblings also, and a very big family. I think I try to always think of other people first,” he explained.

Award-winning actors Joel Torre, Mylene Dizon, Rosanna Roces, Aiko Melendez and Shaina Magdayao are also part of the stellar cast of “Pamilya Sagrado.” The series is part of the weeknight “Primetime Bida” block of the Kapamilya Channel, and is also available on The Filipino Channel. Episodes are also released 48 hours in advance on iWantTFC.