Rocco gets more ‘meaty’

MANILA, Philippines - “Surreal. I didn’t expect it,” Rocco Nacino expresses his happiness on how his then budding career has turned into an exciting one. The excitement lies on the diverse roles the GMA Artist Center talent has essayed onscreen — from the aspiring dancer (Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa) to altar boy-turned-catechist-turned-saint (Pedro Calungsod) and young idealistic mayor of fictional Lagros (Bayan Ko). The latter recently granted Rocco the Natatanging Likha para sa Dulang Pantelebisyon — Hiblang Huwaran award from Gawad Duyan for his inspirational character “that sends a good message to the public,” Rocco says.  

Rocco is on a roll of playing characters that go beyond the traditional kitchen sink drama and formulaic romantic comedy. Adding to his independent and mainstream work is the 2014 Cinemalaya-bound and Joel Lamangan film Hustisya, which also topbills Nora Aunor. This is Rocco’s much-awaited follow-up to his first Cinemalaya movie titled Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa. Hustisya is part of the film festival’s Director’s Showcase.

“It’s fun and a lot of learning (is happening),” Rocco says of working for the first time with the Superstar. “I’m her lawyer. She is my client.”

To play the part, Rocco has immersed himself in the daily grind of representing the victim and the accused legally. He asked his father to accompany him to the Hall of Justice and observed court proceedings. One of the sessions Rocco attended presented a case on human trafficking.

“They (lawyers) speak English and there’s a translator (if the accused doesn’t understand the language),” the Kapuso actor says. “That’s how I’ve got to see the confidence and traits of a lawyer, which I can use in my role. I have now a long list of traits (for my character).” This has served Rocco well in studying and creating the Hustisya character. In his previous role as Lagos Mayor Joseph Santiago, Rocco went to a city hall and interviewed the city administrator for two and a half hours. It had allowed him to understand the responsibilities a mayor carries each day.

No matter how prepared the actor is, he can’t help but have first-time jitters, especially if the scenes will be shot with veterans like Nora.

“She would call me anak (son on the set),” recalls Rocco. “I was scared at first. I got overwhelmed and I had problems with my scenes. That’s when direk Joel entered the picture. He told me (to show more) confidence (in my portrayal). I wouldn’t let her eyes affect me. That’s when I realized that her presence is strong. Nangungusap ang mata niya. It’s an experience working with her.”

After surpassing that phase, Rocco has got his own foothold, so to speak. “Now, I’m able to equal (napapantayan) the level of emotion she is giving me,” he says. “It’s good that I have experienced working with her because she is natural as an actor and helpful as a co-actor.”

Rocco will also be seen in the reinterpretation of Ibong Adarna as Prinsipe Amante. A Kapuso soap is in the pipeline but Rocco is mum in giving details.

How does Rocco describe Lovi Poe?

“She is very special,” answers Rocco. “She is very down to earth. We complement each other. We’re swak na swak even if we’re opposites. We get along really, really well.”

To many, their recent trip to Europe speaks volumes. According to Rocco, they didn’t expect that it would push through because as you and I know, traveling abroad takes “a lot of planning.” Rocco and Lovi traveled for two and a half weeks, starting from Rome, where they had the chance to see the Pope, to London, the place they met up with Lovi’s sister Yela, and Paris. 

“The trip was supposed to last for a month,” Rocco says. “But she needed to tape a soap (Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real). We also went to Notre Dame in Paris. If we had time, I would like to go to Spain, Switzerland and Prague. We had a map, walked around, commuted and took the train. It was fun experience going around.”

“Hopefully, Japan because she wants to see the cherry blossoms,” Rocco says of his and Lovi’s next travel destination. This is for next year definitely — March to be specific since it’s the perfect time to witness how sakura blooms.