JK Labajo on portraying Ninoy Aquino: 'I was really happy and scared at the same time'

By Carissa Alcantara

Following the success of his debut film, "Katips" director and theater actor Vince Tañada returns with another film that features the heroism of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

During its grand media conference at the PSF (Philippine Stagers Foundation), black box theater in Sampaloc Manila, director Vince revealed the lead cast for the upcoming film, which includes Juan Karlo "JK" Labajo as Ninoy.

Making his lead role in the 2022 Cinemalaya film "Blue Room," Juan Karlos has turned the table of portraying a prominent person in Philippine history.

"When I was offered the role, I was really happy and scared at the same time because, as an actor, one of the hardest roles to play is real-life characters kasi you have to play the character as authentic as possible, so hopefully, I was able to play it well," Juan Karlos shared during the interview.

Not a usual biographical film, the screenplay is adapted from Director Vince's multi-awarded stage play of the same title, which suggests the Ninoy Aquino in every Filipino.

Aside from JK, also part of the cast is Joaquin Domagoso, who plays the role of Yosef.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Joaquin's father, former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno-Domagoso, is portraying the role of Ninoy Aquino in Darryl Yap's upcoming film.

Joaquin mentioned that they have yet to talk about each other's projects.

"We haven't talked about the movie together, kahit kita ko siya everyday, nagtatrabaho kami same office pero we never talked about it, kasi ganun yung respect na binibigay namin sa isa't-isa na alam namin na we're both actors doing our jobs," he shared.

The upcoming film will also feature Cassy Legaspi, Marlo Mortel, Nicole Laurel, Lovely Rivero, Sarah Holmes, and more.