Ruru Madrid eager to push forward after MMFF 2024 Best Supporting Actor win

Ruru Madrid poses for photos during the “Lolong” season 2 media conference. Image: Instagram/@gmanetwork

Ruru Madrid, who is still reeling from his 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Supporting Actor win, said he won’t take his recent success for granted, as it’s something that he worked hard for.

Madrid was named Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Xavier Gonzaga in “Green Bones,” a prison officer who discovers the back story behind the arrest of Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo), who won the Best Actor award.

“Mangyayari ang paglaki ng ulo at pagiging kampante kapag ingrato ka sa mga nangyayari. Para sa’kin every day, kailangan magpasalamat. Kahit hindi ko gustuhin na mawala ang mga ganito, mawawala eh. Dahil alam ko ang pagsubok ang mga pinagdaanan ko, hindi ko siya ite-take for granted,” he said.

(I will turn arrogant and complacent if I’m ungrateful. For me, it’s a must to express gratitude. These blessings could disappear in an instant even if I don’t want it. I don’t want to take it for granted because I know the hardships I experienced.)

Ruru Madrid during the “Lolong” season two media conference. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

With this in mind, Madrid said he doesn’t want to boast about his achievements, and would rather use the upward trajectory in his career to inspire fellow dreamers. “Hindi lalaki ang ulo ko kasi ayokong bumalik ‘yung hirap.”

“Dati, dinadaanan lang ako at hindi nirerespeto, at tingin sa’yo na wala lang,” he continued. “I know maraming nagdadanas ng ganitong pangyayari kaya gusto kong gamitin ang [platform ko] to give inspiration, [gusto kong] ipakita na kapag nagpursigi ka at may tiwala ka sa Panginoon, mangyayari ‘yun.”

(I don’t want to be arrogant. I don’t want to bring back those struggles. I experienced being passed by, disrespected, and being underestimated. I know many people go through these hardships as well. So, I want to use my platform to inspire and show them that if you work hard and trust in God, you’ll succeed.)

The actor added that he and his team collaborate when it comes to selecting his next project, saying they’re “careful” in doing so.

“Mabusisi kami sa pagtanggap ng proyekto. Naniniwala kami na talagang kailangan mong salaain, para bang ang hirap sundan. Basta maramdaman mo na may calling ka sa project, tatanggapin mo ‘yun,” he said.

(We’re careful in choosing a project. We believe that things like these need to be analyzed as it’s hard to follow up with something good. As long as I feel like there’s a calling in the project, I will accept it.)

Madrid’s follow-up project is season two of the action drama “Lolong,” which continues the story of Rolando “Lolong” Candelaria and his friendship with a giant crocodile named Dakila.