My exclusive interview with Kiko Estrada and Donny Pangilinan on their upcoming movie ‘WalWal’

Donny Pangilinan and Kiko Estrada. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Last Friday, June 23, 2018, was the strictly by invitation only Press Preview for the movie ‘WalWal’ produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc. and Star Cinema.

There, I had an exclusive interview with two of the said movie’s four male lead stars, Kiko Estrada and Donny Pangilinan.

Below are excerpts of my exclusive interview with Kiko Estrada and Donny Pangilinan on their upcoming movie ‘WalWal’ scheduled for nationwide release in cinemas on June 27, 2018.

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1) At the time you were first approached to do this movie, what were your initial thoughts? Instant reaction?

Kiko Estrada: Man! Direk Joey Javier Reyes! For me and Donny, that is enough to attract you to a project. And he’s going to direct it and it’s about coming-of-age… so, that is an instant, “I want to do this.” For me, it was just Direk Joey Javier Reyes.

Donny Pangilinan: The fact that he even wanted to do this movie means he went through the script. He went through it and he knew it was different.

Kiko Estrada: And he chose us. He handpicked us.

Donny Pangilinan: Actually, my first initial thoughts were: “Donny, you were asked if you wanted to do a “barkadamovie”. But I didn’t know what kind of “barkada movie” it was going to be.

Kiko Estrada: I am glad, though, that you said yes, Donny!

Donny Pangilinan: So, when I saw the title of the movie was going to be ‘WalWal’ – the title alone ‘WalWal’ – parang sabi ko, kakaiba. There is a certain feeling to it… a feeling you get when you hear that word. Immediately, you will know this is different. You know there is going to be no filters. You know it is going to be raw. It is going to be real. And it is going to be something that young adults like us can relate to.

Kiko Estrada: And, I guess, it was a challenge. How are we going to change this name to be good? The term ‘WalWal’… how are we going to change that negative anecdote to something positive, right? And we were talking about that.

2) I heard, Donny, that this is your first movie?

Donny Pangilinan: Yes. I am so blessed to be with this people. And I wouldn’t choose a different group of people to spend my first movie with. You know… the moments we had on set, even offset, are all memorable to me and something I will not forget.

Kiko Estrada: I know the feeling he’s going through because it’s his first movie. Mine, this is my third movie already. So, I am still excited about it. So, yeah, Donny, I am so happy and proud for you. And I am so proud of everyone in this movie.

3) What is your message to people interested in watching this movie?

Kiko Estrada: Well, for me, I am going to give Donny this one because this is his first movie. I’m going to simply say, it’s the “Barkada Movie Of The Year”. That is why.

Donny Pangilinan: Maybe, there is a misconception that some people think that this movie is only for the young adults, Millennials, and people who are young like us. But, it is a movie for everyone and even parents can relate to this because they can see how we think. We’re different generations. We’re all very different.

Watch this movie to be able to see a different side to us and understand why we do things, the problems we go through, and just have fun.

This is a fun movie for everyone.