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Wilbert Ross, Eric Ejercito try something new in Korean-Filipino film 'The Guardian'
Entertainment
Movies and TV
Wilbert Ross, Eric Ejercito try something new in Korean-Filipino film 'The Guardian'
Wilbert Ross, Eric Ejercito try something new in Korean-Filipino film 'The Guardian'
By Neil Ramos
Published Aug 15, 2026 02:45 pm
At A Glance
- Wilbert Ross and Eric Ejercito step outside their usual roles in "The Guardian," a Korean-Filipino action film distributed by Viva Films and opening in Philippine cinemas September 2.
Wilbert Ross had to get used to throwing punches.
Eric Ejercito, on the other hand, had to get used to making people laugh.
That’s one of the amusing things we learned about “The Guardian,” a Korean-Filipino action film that finally gets a Philippine theatrical release on September 2, more than two years after it was shot here.
Ross, who has done his share of rom-coms and “pa-sweet” roles, plays Jason in the film. This time, there are action scenes, bruises and plenty of time under the sun.
“Medyo challenging talaga yung role kasi sanay ako sa mga pa-sweet lang for rom-coms, dito e, talaga may action scenes ako na nagagalos talaga ako, nabilad sa araw,” Ross said during the film’s Grand Media Conference.
“Pero proud ako sa nagawa ko rito, iba naman.”
For Ejercito, the adjustment went in the opposite direction.
The actor, who is more familiar with dramatic roles, found himself having to work on the comedy.
“Baliktad kami ni Wilbert rito,” he said. “Kung siya nanibago sa action scenes, ako naman medyo kinailagan kong mag-adjust sa comedy, something na hindi ko gaano ginagawa. But it’s a welcome change. Para maipakita ko rin naman sa mga tao ang versatility ko.”
The film brings together Korean stars Nam Woo Hyun and Park Eun Hye with Filipino actors.
Apart from Ross and Ejercito, the film also stars Yassi Pressman, Joko Diaz, Jeric Raval, Ashtine Olviga, Billy Villeta, Jacq Yu, Fatima, Yumi, Heart Ryan and Katya Santos.
Directed by Jeong Jang Hwan, the movie was filmed entirely in the Philippines.
Nam Woo Hyun, the K-pop idol and Infinite vocalist, plays Do Jun, a college dropout and skilled Taekwondo practitioner who once dreamed of becoming a national athlete.
He gives up that dream to stay with his mother, Mi Jin, played by Park Eun Hye, who raised him by herself. They eventually settle in the Philippines after Mi Jin leaves Korea to escape the judgment she faced as a single mother.
Things, naturally, do not remain peaceful.
Mi Jin becomes a successful businesswoman but gets caught up in gambling. She eventually finds herself in serious trouble and then gets kidnapped by Cha Dong-cheol, played by Han Jae Seok, the head of a Korean criminal organization operating in the Philippines.
Do Jun, despite his complicated relationship with his mother, goes after her.
He has 48 hours.