No role is too small for Karl Medina

MANILA, Philippines - Karl Medina needs no further introduction the moment you learn that he is the eldest son of award-winning actor Pen Medina and brother of Ping and Alex. Like his dad and siblings, Karl has pursued acting. He entered showbiz in 2013 via Kiri and Sari Dalena’s CineFilipino Filmfest entry The Guerilla is a Poet. The indie film also paved the way for Karl to bag his first Best Actor award for his effective portrayal as the Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma. Sison.

It was followed by his impressive performances in Bwaya, Tandem and Oda Sa Mga Nangangarap. And though Karl is an award winner, he has no qualms about playing bit parts in the big and small screens like the short stint he had in the ABS-CBN daytime series Ning-Ning and in GMA 7 News and Public Affairs’ Karelasyon and Imbestigador.

“Meron kasi akong motto na try anything once,” began Karl when he visited The STAR’s Entertainment office to promote Pilapil, one of the six full-length film entries to the first ToFarm (The Outstanding Farmers of the Philippines) Film Festival. “And if I like it, I’ll continue doing it and if not, I can always stop. So when the opportunity (to act) came up and after we did the film, I told myself, ‘Masarap pala (umarte),’ and that led me to go on.”

It is but natural to think that his dad has influenced Karl to do acting. “In a way, yes, because I grew up seeing him in this field but ever since, he never forced anyone of us to do the same thing as he does. He always tells us to choose what we love to do; that we should focus on the things where we can find happiness or can make us happy.”

In fact, Karl didn’t take any acting course in college. He graduated with a degree in Industrial Design from the University of the Philippines in UP Diliman. After graduation, he worked mostly on design jobs like product designing and packaging. He and his two interior designer friends also put up a design business. “I also had a motorcycle shop and skateboard shop. Ngayon, I just recently became a (business) partner in Tomato Kick.”

Karl was 34 when he first dabbled in acting. And just like a soldier preparing for battle, he took an acting workshop under his dad.

In Pilapil, Karl portrays the character of Reden who appears in the film in flashback scenes. Therefore, the exposure is very limited. But the actor said he didn’t think long and hard about accepting the project because it doesn’t matter to him how big or small the role is.

“Pinalaki kami ng dad ko na walang maliit o malaking role. Every character you play should be given the same amount of attention, the same amount of care and the same amount of dedication kahit na isang scene lang yan. What matters most is to take in any moment with pride and leave a lasting mark.”

How does he choose a role?

“I’m not choosy with roles. Right now, since I am new in the (acting) business, I would like to try everything although it’s also a factor who do I get to work with and if the project fits in my schedule because aside from acting, I also do video editing mostly for commercial projects, AVPs and corporate videos.”

Asked how he prepares for a role, Karl said he normally does the basics like studying the script. In Pilapil, he did some research on what was happening during the time when the farmers had difficulty growing their crops due to infestation. “I have an idea on how a farmer works because when I was young, we used to go to the province. Meron akong mga tito, tita and friends who are into farming. My dad is from Pampanga and my maternal grandmother is in Laguna. So basically, alam ko na kung paano ako gaganap na magsasaka. The toughest part of my role was to speak in Bisaya. I needed to sound natural.”

Good thing Karl’s dad never fails to remind him to always be true to the character. “He always tells me about personal truth of the character; that you must understand where your character is coming from in the story and how to interact with the other characters. The most important is you know the purpose of your role in the story.” 

What are the advantages and maybe disadvantages of being a Medina?

“I would say I am very lucky in terms of my surname since my dad is known in the industry but of course, I also feel that they have expectations of me. But then, we were raised well and taught to decide on which path to take. My dad never insisted na dapat ganito o ganyan kami.

“My surname is not a guaranteed advantage since there are lots of new artists now and there are still those who are making a comeback. So we don’t just rely on being a Medina. What is needed is a solid work ethics, clear-cut branding, discipline towards work and right work attitude.”

(Pilapil, directed by Jose Johnny Nadela, will be shown from July 13 to 19 at SM City North Edsa and SM Megamall. The gala screening is on July 17 at SM Megamall Cinema 7. Other provincial screenings: Aug. 24 to 30 at SM Pampanga and SM Cabanatuan; Sept. 14 to 20, SM Cebu; and Oct. 12 to 18, SM Davao.)