Ping is truly his father's son

Somebody once said that we become actors without realizing and wanting it. The calling to act just walks into someone else’s heart unexpectedly. This is how Ping Medina, son of the character actor Pen Medina, got into movie landia. Ping says his father did not encourage him to try acting but the calling just came to him one day and the young actor couldn’t resist the creative pleasure it presented him.

“The adjustment was a bit difficult,” says Ping of the  transition from doing independent movies to TV series. “Acting for TV requires long hours of shooting and overnight work. Sometimes I got to work for 24 hours. It is also a different training because the process is fast. I was (culture) shocked at the beginning. We have to do the scenes fast.”

This is something new for the indie-turned-TV actor who is used to study his character long enough  because the script is given way ahead before the cameras start to grind, and there are no story revisions made on the set.

Although things have to be done quickly, Ping never fails to give his character a new interpretation or a makeover.

“I want to push my roles a bit,” says Ping, talent of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and owner of Pen Pen resto. “I always look for a new dimension or approach to make them look three dimensional. I hope the televiewers can see and appreciate that.”

Ping, a Communication Arts student at the Ateneo de Manila University, first appeared in the Marilou Diaz-Abaya opus Rizal where he played the young Paciano at the age of 13. It was followed by the indie Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros as Maxi’s loving brother. But Ping has shown his acting mettle in Numbalikdiwa with Maricel Soriano and Albert Martinez and in Tulad ng Dati where he earned a Gawad Urian Best Supporting Actor nomination. He was also part of Anak ng Tinapa, Trabaho, Tukso and Selda. The afternoon teleserye Prinsesa ng Banyera starring Kristine Hermosa and Ara Mina saw Ping playing the policeman husband of Andi Eigenmann.

Before Ping tried his hand in mainstream acting, he was a staple like the veteran actor Eddie Garcia in films made by University of the Philippines, Ateneo, De La Salle and Letran  students. His stints in student films have given him the chance to experiment and hone his craft.

As for choosing his projects and preparing for his roles, Ping reads the script first, then studies the role. He also considers the people he will work with, especially if they will teach him a lesson or two on acting. Then, he gives himself the green light. If he couldn’t decide, he heeds his dad’s advice. Besides, it was Pen who opened his young mind to the world of  show business.

“I know where I stand,” says Ping whenever he is being compared to his father. “I don’t feel any pressure that I have to do better or surpass his achievements. I can say that he has influenced me a lot as an actor.”

How does he prepare for his role? Does he do method acting like Anthony Hopkins and Dustin Hoffman to make his portrayal believable?

“I read the script,” replies Ping. “I follow the truth and search for it. As much as possible, I want to do out-of-the-box characters and find new challenge in them. As an actor, I don’t want to repeat myself.”