Other players in Ang Supremo

MANILA, Philippines - Except for Alfred Vargas, some of the other players in Ang Supremo are not (yet) as well known although just as good actors. Two of them are Alex Vincent Medina and Shielbert Manuel. Alex plays Bonifacio’s brother Procopio in the movie.

The third of Pen Medina’s five children, Alex, 27, has actually been acting in indies these past six years but it’s only now that, he said, “I have decided to take acting seriously.” A Marketing & Corporate Communications undergraduate from San Beda College, Alex used to be a member of the Alex in Wonderland band, music being his great passion. His brother Ping is also an actor and an occasional writer for this paper’s Lifestyle section.

Asked what tips his dad has given him, Alex said, “He told just to be truthful and everything will follow.” Like Pen (very visible in street protests against some issues), he said that he’s outspoken.

Besides Ang Supremo, Alex also stars in Palitan with Mara Lopez, the daughter of Maria Isabel Lopez, which is one of the 10 entries in Category B of the ongoing Cinema One Originals 2012 Filmfest. Directed by Ato Bautista, Palitan is an erotic drama-thriller in which Alex plays husband to Mara. He bares his butt in one scene.

“I would have shown my front had they asked me to,” he dared.

Maybe next time.

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Shielbert Manuel is not ashamed to admit that he used to be a member of a gang in Tondo where he grew up and still resides. In fact, it was his background that landed him a role in the award-winning Cinemalaya indie Tribu (directed by Jim Libiran) which is about gang wars.

“It was almost a real-life role,” said Shielbert. “I live near what used to be Smokey Mountain.” That was where Lino Brocka shot some of his films, including Insiang and Jaguar.

Like Alex, Shielbert is also a band member (of True Brown).

“I am a Tondo Boy through and through. When I was younger,” recalled Shielbert, 26, a B.S. Criminology undergraduate, “I also got involved in riots. May mga tama din ako, two stab wounds and others. Even if you’re not a member of a gang, you really got thrown into riots. Madadamay ka talaga. But Tondo is a different place now. It’s more peaceful.”