Do Ruru Madrid, director Zig Dulay consider ‘Green Bones’ their best work?

Ruru Madrid (left) and Zig Dulay (right) during the media conference of “Green Bones.” Images: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications

For Ruru Madrid and director Zig Dulay, the opportunity to bring the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Green Bones” to the big screen is their biggest win, rather than pointing to the movie as their best work.

Not a dry eye was seen in the cinema during the film’s premiere night on Friday, December 20, including Madrid who took on the role of Xavier Gonzaga, a prison guard who projects his unresolved trauma to make sure that Domingo Zamora (Dennis Trillo) stays behind bars.

WATCH: Not a dry eye from the cast as the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Green Bones” capped off its premiere night in Quezon City. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/7Q3Wvgu43x

— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) December 20, 2024

“Alam ko sa sarili ko na I gave everything in this project. ’Yun ang narealize ko (I know to myself that I gave everything in this project. This is what I realized),” he told INQUIRER.net when asked if he considers the film as the “best work” in his acting career.

Madrid said that he poured his heart into the film which is the most important part for him. “As long as you gave everything and minahal mo ang ginagawa mo, lahat ng ’yun ang magbubunga. Ito ang naging bunga. Sabi ko nga, lahat ng ’yun ay bonus na lang pero ’yung maging parte ng ganitong pelikula—’yun ang naging pangarap,” he added.

(As long as you give everything and love what you do, it will be worth it. This film is what came out of it. I consider everything a bonus but to be part of something like this is the dream.)

Touching on the film’s message, Madrid hoped that viewers would remember to practice kindness no matter what. “Laganap ang kaguluhan at kasamaan. Kahit gan’un pa man, lagi mo pa ring pipiliin na maging mabuting tao kasi ‘yun ang magdadala sa ’tin sa tagumpay.”

“Isa sa natutunan ko rin dito ay hindi mo dapat hayaan na husgahan ka ng kahit sino, na hindi ka magbabago o habang buhay ka magiging masama,” he continued. “Dahil kahit sinong tao, pwede magbago. At dahil ’yun sa kagustuhan ng ating Panginoon.”

(Chaos and evil remain. Despite this, let’s continue to be kind because this brings us success. What I also learned from this film is not to let anyone judge you, and to not believe that someone can’t change. It is up to the Lord.)

Does Ruru Madrid consider “Green Bones” as his best work?

Madrid said the opportunity to be part of a film with a “beautiful” message is enough for him, knowing he gave it his all in the MMFF 2024 entry. @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/e65vTQ5u36

— Hannah Mallorca (@HMallorcaINQ) December 20, 2024

Commitment

After Dulay was noted for “never having a miss” in his body of work, Dulay shared that he simply wanted to do his best in every project, stating he wasn’t alone in creating the film.

“Lahat ng proyekto na binibigay sa ’kin, minemake sure ko na ginagawa ko talaga ang best ko,” he told INQUIRER.net. “Hindi lang naman ako mag-isa. Mahuhusay ang collaborators sa paggawa ng pelikula. Sure akong ginawa nila ang best nila. Lahat kami, committed and ibibigay ang puso’t kaluluwa para mailabas ang ‘Green Bones.’”

(I make sure to give my best in every project. I’m not alone in this. I worked with great collaborators in this film, and I’m sure they gave their best as well. All of us were committed to dedicating our hearts and souls to “Green Bones.”)

Ruru Madrid during the press conference of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry “Green Bones.” Image: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications

The premiere night was held three days after the film’s advanced screening for exhibitors and film critics. But for Dulay, attending the premiere night made him more nervous since more people would be seeing the MMFF 2024 entry for the first time.

“Gan’un pa rin ang kaba, may kasamang excitement. Habang nakikita ko ang reaksyon ng mga tao—na maraming umiyak—ibig sabihin, nag-resonate sa kanila ang pelikula. Para sa ’kin, d’un nanggagaling ang fulfillment… ’yun ang dahilan kung bakit ko pinupush sarili ko to do my best,” he said.

(I feel nervous and excited. Seeing people’s reactions—where many cried—means a lot resonated with the film. That’s where I feel fulfilled. This is the reason why I push myself to do my best.)

Also part of the film are Dennis Trillo, Iza Calzado, Alessandra De Rossi, Sofia Pablo, Michael de Mesa, and Wendell Ramos.