Acclaimed director Joel Lamangan spoke candidly about his dedication and strict work ethic on the film set. However, he firmly believes that this approach is essential in fostering the growth and development of his actors.

During a story conference for his upcoming movie "Apo Hapon," Lamangan said he has consistently helped his actors become better performers.

"Relax lang kayo. Ito'y trabaho lang. I will help you become better actors and actresses. If you commit mistakes, fine. Two mistakes, fine. Kapag baguhan syempre maraming adjustments. Minsan ako na nga ang nag-a-adjust. Hindi naman ako nagta-trato ng hindi patas. Kung bago pa lamang at walang masyadong alam, tinuturuan ko naman sila kung ano ang dapat," said Lamangan when asked about his being strict on the set.

(Relax. This is work. I will help you become better actors and actresses. If you commit mistakes, okay. Two mistakes, okay. When you are a beginner, of course, there are many adjustments. Sometimes I am the one who adjusts. I don't mistreat them. If they are new and don't know much, I teach them what to do," said Lamangan when asked about his being strict on the set.)

Lamangan added: "Mataray lang talaga ako sa mga artistang hindi maganda ang attitude sa set. Example yung mga artistang na-le-late. At yung artistang mababa ang tingin sa mga manggagawa. Yung hindi tumitingin ng patas." 

(I'm really against actors who don't have a good attitude on set. Examples are actors who are late, actors who look down on workers, and those who don't look at people fairly.)

Lamangan thanked GK Productions for coming up with an inspiring film despite the current state of the movie industry in the Philippines. 

"Maganda ang storya nito kasi tungkol ito sa isang hapon na naiwan sa Pilipinas pagkatapos ng World War II. Then naging hero siya ng isang town kung saan siya nanatili," said Lamangan. (It's a good story about a Japanese who stayed in the Philippines after World War II.  Then he became a hero of the town where he stayed.)

Working with Lamangan

Two of the stars of the upcoming movie - JC De Vera and Lianne Valentin - recalled working with Lamangan in showbiz in their younger years.

"Wala akong bad memories with Direk Joel puro good memories. Nakatrabaho ko si direk sa first movie ko yung 'Mano Po: Ako Legal Wife' around 2004-2005. Then 'Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita.' Tapos pumunta na kami sa TV5 for' Valiente.' So far so good. He's a great teacher and disciplinarian.

(I have no bad memories with Director Joel, only good memories. I worked with the director in my first movie, 'Mano Po: Ako Legal Wife' around 2004-2005. Then 'Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita.' Then we went to TV5 for 'Valiente.' So far, so good. He's a great teacher and disciplinarian.)

''Sa tingin ko matatakot ka lang kung hindi ka prepared or kung hindi mo inaral yung script or character mo, at kung sa tingin mo naglalaro ka lamang sa set. But if you are prepared and you know your character very well, hindi mo naman kailangan matakot sa kanya," the actor added.

(I think you'll only be afraid if you're unprepared or haven't studied the script or your character and if you think you're just playing on set. But if you are prepared and know your character well, you don't need to be afraid of him.)

Valentin, who also stars in the popular Kapuso series "Royal Blood," said she was still young when she first worked for Lamangan.

"Memorable talaga na nakatrabaho ko si Direk Joel. Bata pa naman ako nun. Hindi ko alam talaga nun how showbiz really works. Hindi ko pa talaga alam kung gaano kalalim yung work na ginagawa namin. May mga times sa 'Valiente' na napapagalitan ako dahil syempre bata pa ako. Pero I must say na memorable yun and may mga lesson din akong natutunan sa kanya. Bawal ka talaga ma-late at kailangan dumating ka sa set na alam mo ang mga lines mo. Kahit 100 percent ready ka. Hindi talaga madali ang trabaho ng isang actor," she said.

(It was memorable that I worked with Director Joel. I was still young. I didn't know how showbiz works. I didn't know how deep the work we were doing. There were times in 'Valiente' when I was scolded because I was still young. But it was memorable, and I also learned some lessons from him. You should be on time and must come to the set knowing your lines even if you're 100 percent ready. The job of an actor is not easy.)

Charity work

Also joining the cast of "Apo Hapon" is Japanese model newbie Sakura Akiyoshi. It's her second Filipino movie after she debuted in the comedy film "Gumising Ka, Maruya" starring comedian Empoy Marquez. 

Akiyoshi plays a blogger in "Hapon," and showcases her acting skills by delivering lines in Tagalog and Japanese.

In an interview, Akiyoshi said she has been living in the Philippines for four years. She was discovered while doing charity in Tondo, Manila.

"Nagbakasyon lang ako rito. Tapos pumunta ako ng Tondo para mag charity work. Nagbigay ako ng mga pagkain at damit. Napamahal sila sa akin. Every month punta ako ng punta sa Tondo. Pero ngayon sa ibang lugar naman," she said.

(I just took a vacation here. Then I went to Tondo to do charity work. I gave food and clothes. They loved me. Every month I go to Tondo. But now I'm in a different place.)

Akiyoshi said she idolizes Kapamilya stars Kim Chiu and Vice Ganda.

"Sana makasama ko sila sa project." (I hope to work with them for a future project.)

The other cast of "Apo Hapon" include Fumiya Sankai, Nella Dizon, Perla Bautista, Jim Pebanco, Marcus Madrigal, Rico Barrera, Yoshiko Hara and Kapuso hunk Prince Clemente. It is written by Eric Ramos and line produced by Dennis Evangelista.