From playing charming boy-next-door characters, Kapamilya actors Donny Pangilinan and Kyle Echarri are now putting their game face on for their new series "Roja" as face-punching hotel staff.

Directed by Law Fajardo, Andoy Ranay, Raymund Ocampo, and Rico Navarro, the story follows  Liam (Donny) and Olsen (Kyle), buddies torn by circumstance. 

Donny admitted it was a huge challenge for him to do fight scenes with Kyle who is a close friend in real life.

"Malaking challenge for me because we've known each other as friends, we see each other sa work and nagkakasama na kami sa events. But it's different when you're on set, it's different when you're co-actors, you know. And yung roles namin very different, kulang na lang magpatayan na sila," Donny shared in an interview. 

(It’s a big challenge for me because we’ve known each other as friends — we see each other at work, and we’ve been together at events. But it’s different when you’re on set, different when you’re co-actors, you know. And in this project, our characters are completely different to the point that they want to kill each other)

To make it work to their advantage, Donny would sit down with Kyle and discuss their fight scenes.

"We really had to make it a point to collaborate on how we're going to do it in a way that looks authentic without really ruining what we have in real life," Donny maintained.

Kyle on his part joked that after doing "Roja," they might no longer be friends simply because of the fight scenes.

Turning serious, he explained how their friendship is an actual advantage as it helps them communicate with each other better.

''That's also our advantage because we've been friends. We're able to turn that switch on and off very easily. We're able to get into character if we need to.  Without any hard feelings between the two of us. And we're very honest with each other.  If kailangan ng push and pull sa scene sasabihin ko talaga, 'Bigay mo ito sa akin para mag react ako ng ganito,'" Kyle shared.

(That's also our advantage because we've been friends. We're able to turn that switch on and off very easily. We're able to get into character if we need to.  Without any hard feelings between the two of us. And we're very honest with each other.  If there is a need for a push and pull in a scene, I will really say, [Donny] 'Give it to me so that I can react like this')

Kyle also added that doing fight scenes with Donny is a lot more fun because they already know and trust each other.

He recalled how, at one point during the shoot, they were cursing at each other to get into the zone as Liam and Olsen.

"Nagtatawanan kami sa set nun tapos biglang sabi ni Donny mag-tetake na, tapos ako yung mas galit. May sinabi si Donny sa akin and yung tingin ko sa kanya na okay game na kami to take the scene. Ganun minsan yung mga trigger ng emotions namin while doing a scene," Kyle added.

(We were laughing on set, then suddenly Donny said we were going to do a take, and I was supposedly the angrier one. Donny said something to me, and I looked at him and just like that we're both game to do the scene. That's how we use emotions to trigger ourselves while doing a scene)

Kyle mentioned that doing these kinds of projects is what makes his job the "biggest blessing."

"One of the coolest and biggest blessings of our job is that every day at the office is something new.  You are never going through the same experience every time you have a new project, a new story.  But the biggest blessing for us is that we get to inspire people. No matter what story you're telling, may mapupulot pa rin na aral yung mga tao.  And I think whether that be through action, whether that be through a rom-com, my biggest goal is always just to be able to have a purpose to playing a character," Kyle said.

Meanwhile, Donny feels blessed and honored to get the opportunity to play the role of Liam.

"Feeling ko nag-mature talaga ako. Hindi pa kami tapos sa pagsho-shoot namin pero sa pinagdaanan ko kay Liam I could really say that I've learned so much about myself and his character that I didn't know I would experience.  I've never experienced that in any role. And it's very important that when you go through unfamiliar territory, you get to see what you can learn in that area."

(I feel like I've really matured, we haven't finished our shoot yet, but because of what I went through playing Liam, I could really say that I've learned so much about myself and his character that I didn't know I would experience.)

 "So right now, that's really all I'm doing. I'm just soaking everything in, learning as much as I can, being so blessed and privileged to be entrusted with such a big project with great co-actors and veterans and people who really believe in you and a cast that really puts out 110% every time they're on set," Donny said.

“Roja” also stars Sandy Andolong, Robert Seña, Nikki Valdez, Cris Villanueva, Zia Grace, Bernard Palanca, Marc Abaya, Gello Marquez, Harvey Bautista, Lou Yanong, Kobie Brown, Benedict Cua, Iñigo Jose, Maika Rivera, AC Bonifacio, Emilio Daez, Xilhouete, Kai Montinola, Rubi Rubi, Sophie Reyes, Rikki Mae Davao, Inka Magnaye, Vangie Castillo, Levi Ignacio, Floyd Tena, Rans Rifol, Igi Boy Flores, and Raven Molina.

“Roja” streams on Netflix, iWant, and on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live.