Inside Heneral Luna: 10 Questions With Actor Nico Antonio On His Role as Andres Bonifacio

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The film Heneral Luna has enjoyed so much success that the Internet has exploded with countless memes and image macros about the film. We, however, were more curious about the man who ignited this country's revolutionary fire, none other than Supremo Andres Bonifacio. We managed to interview the actor who played Bonifacio in Heneral Luna, Mr. Nico Antonio, more popularly known for his role as Antonio "Tolayts" Tolentino in ABS-CBN's teleserye On the Wings of Love.

1. How long have you been acting professionally? Do you have a background in theatre?
I have been acting since 2003 (my first acting gig was a cameo role for Minsan Pa (2003 movie by Jeffrey Jeturian). Re: theater experience, I used to be part of Tanghalang Ateneo.

2. Did you have to go through auditions for this movie? Which part did you originally audition for, and which roles were you shortlisted for?
For my part in Heneral Luna, I was made to read the Mi Ultimo Adios of Rizal in Tagalog, since I was auditioning for his role. Pero napunta ako kay Bonifacio, which is not bad.

3. Have you always been a history buff since your school days?
Ay oo! Ang hilig ko sa history. Mapa-Philippines, Asian, o world.

4. What were your actual lines in the film? Did you have more lines in the original script? If yes, how did you feel about having your lines cut short?
Ang katangi-tanging linya ko ay "Procopio!" (dahil pinatay ng mga sundalong Pilipino ang kapatid ko). Tapos n'un, pinagtataga na nila ako.

5. How many minutes was your total screen time in the final cut of the film? Were you happy about it?
Ten seconds? Hahaha. Oo naman. Happy ako kasi kasama pa rin ako sa pelikula. May kasabihan nga eh: "There are no small roles; only small actors."

6. What was it like working under Jerrold Tarog?
Masaya. I have worked with him sa movie na Sana Dati. Cool lang siya at he trusts you as an actor. Magsasabi lang siya kung ano gusto niya mangyari sa eksena tapos bahala na ako.

7. How is working on a feature film like this different from working on your teleserye On the Wings of Love?
Wala namang pinagkaiba as I treat every role I play with the same enthusiasm and passion. Ang pagkakaiba lang siguro ay ang bayad. Hehe.

8. How has your role as Andres Bonifacio changed your view on the national hero? How has it changed your view on other national heroes (such as the ones responsible for his death, etc)?
The funny thing about playing Bonifacio is that I had a prior role where I portrayed aguinaldo in this 8-part series entitled Katipunan (with Sid Lucero as Bonifacio; it was shown on GMA 7). Nakakatuwa lang na ginampanan ko ang parehong katauhan. Bilang paghahanda, nagbasa-basa rin ako tungkol sa kanila at sa kasaysayan ng Katipunan. Wala namang naiba sa pagtingin ko kay Bonifacio maliban sa higit akong humanga sa kanya habang kinamuhian ko naman si Aguinaldo. Ngunit kung aaralin mo ang background ni Aguinaldo, malalaman mong pulitiko talaga siya bago siya sumali sa Katipunan kaya hindi na rin ako nagtataka sa mga naging paraan niya.

9. What were the reactions of your mother, your wife, and/or other members of your family on your limited screen time?
Masaya sila at proud. :-)

10. Will you be in the sequel about Gregorio Del Pilar? If yes, can we expect more screen time from you, or at least some more dialogue? Or will you practically play another dead body?
Depende sa magiging treatment nina Direk Jerrold and his team. :-)


Interview by GP and Karlo Abrajano

Watch Nico Antonio in On the Wings of Love which airs on ABS-CBN, weekdays at 9:10 PM.