Kapuso actor Ruru Madrid shared the challenges he faced while portraying Elias in the action-packed series as it drew to a close.
"Well siguro ang biggest takeaway ko character ko dito sa black rider is that minsan sa buhay natin marami talaga tayong pagdadaanan mga pagsubok, pero dito kasi sa show pinakita na kahit na siya si black rider kailangan niya parin ng tulong ng mga kaibigan niya, kumbaga hindi niya pwede akuin lahat ng mga kalaban niya. So, I guess ayun din yung ma-aaply ko sa akin, not all the time kayayanin ko mag-isa," said Ruru, during a Zoom for the series recently.
(Perhaps the most important lesson I've learned from my character in Black Rider is that we often face many challenges in life. However, the show demonstrates that even though he is the Black Rider, he still relies on his friends for help, as he can't take on all his opponents alone. I can relate to this in my own life - I can't always handle everything by myself.)
Aside from the learnings, the Kapuso actor shared that doing the series has become one of his ultimate goals: entertaining and inspiring viewers.
"Throughout the journey ng paggawa po namin ng Black Rider, napakarami pong lessons. Napakarami kong natutunan dito sa proyektong ito na alam kong dadalhin ko sa mga susunod pang proyekto na gagawin ko," Ruru said.
(Throughout creating Black Rider, I gained valuable lessons to benefit my future projects. My goal is to entertain people, but at the same time, I always want to leave a mark on them, and that is the inspiration I want to share with them. It makes my heart happy.)
Ruru and Yassi
Ruru and Yassi are willing to collaborate on future projects following the action-packed Kapuso series Black Rider.
"Syempre naman, wala naman ibang dahilan para hindi kami magwork ulit ni Yassi, ewan ko lang kay Yassi kung okay sa kanya," said Ruru.
(Of course, there is no other reason for Yassi and me not to work together again; I don't know if Yassi is okay with it.)
Yassi immediately agreed to work with Ruru again and expressed her desire for more time to film the series.
"Oo naman! Nabibitin pa nga po kami and parang nalulungkot yung everyone especially with the past few tapings days kasi ngayon lang po ulit kami nagkasama-sama, and kami po as actor and friends, parang na-bi-build up pa lang po relationship namin together," she said.
(Of course, we are still not over it. Everyone seems sad, especially with the past few taping days, because this is the only time we are together again. As actors and friends, our relationship has been built together.)
Ruru and Yassi were first paired in the 2023 film "Video City: Be Kind, Please Rewind."
Thrilling scenes
As the series ends, Calvin (Jon Lucas) continues showing off his evil ways and making Elias’s (Ruru) life miserable. He uses President William (Roi Vinzon) to make Vanessa (Yassi) marry him, taking advantage of a situation where Vanessa is unaware of the truth and reality.
Thrilling scenes are yet to be witnessed now that Señor Edgardo (Raymond Bagatsing) is already aware that Moises (Jak Roberto) is his lost son. Viewers should also not miss what happens next to Nanay Alma (Rio Locsin), given that her brother Jojo (William Lorenzo) makes her life extra challenging.
Despite all these happenings, Elias continues to fight for justice to protect his family and innocent people. The question is, will he succeed, or will he just put his loved ones at risk?
Mariano (Philip Salvador), the mysterious man who helped and trained Elias to become a full-blooded fighter, returns to the series in its finale week. Viewers are intrigued by the reason for his comeback and how this will affect the protagonist’s life.
As the top-rating full-action series draws close, Ruru hinted at what viewers could expect in the last few episodes.
“Dito na malalaman kung sino talaga ang magwawagi, kung ang kasamaan ba o kabutihan. And at the same time, marami rin talagang plot twists at revelations na hindi natin inaasahan. Even ako, nung nabasa ko ‘yung script, hindi ko rin inexpect na dito tayo pupunta, parang ganoon pala kalalim ‘yung pupuntahan ng istorya,” shared Ruru.
The Primetime Action Hero enjoyed taking the role of Elias/Black Rider, “Napakarami kong natutunan na alam kong dadalhin ko sa susunod ko pang proyekto. Sobrang minahal ko si Elias, binuhay ko siya na para bang nadala ko siya na kahit nasaan ako. Nadala ko ‘yung pagiging palaban niya, nadala ko ‘yung hustisya niya para sa lahat, at ‘yung pagiging leader niya. Alam kong kahit matapos ‘tong Black Rider, hinding hindi na siya mawawala sa puso ko.”
A fruition of its world-class executions and very relatable storyline, Black Rider has earned notable recognition both locally and internationally. Black Rider won its first-ever international award as a Bronze Medalist in the Entertainment Program: Drama category at the 2024 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards. The hit primetime series also won the Most Development-Oriented Drama Program at the 18th Gandingan Awards by the University of the Philippines - Los Baños.
With over 200 artists and personalities in the series and more than 170 action-packed and gripping episodes aired, Black Rider has proven its strong presence on television and online. Across all social media platforms, Black Rider’s videos continue to go viral, earning over 1.5 billion views and counting.
Black Rider is produced by the team led by Program Managers Mark Anthony Norella and Gemma Gonzaga, and Executive Producers Jojo Aleta and Marco Marcelo.
The creative team comprises Erwin Caezar Verdillo Bravo, John Bedia, Aeious Asin, and Dickson Comia.
Black Rider is helmed by master directors Rommel Penesa ("Lolong") and Richard Arellano.