Local rap artists take on the acting challenge

MANILA, Philippines — The rap artists in the gangster-themed film Sitio Diablo underscored the representation of the street hip-hop culture in the local setting.

According to direk Roman Perez Jr., this was his dream project for the team, including his writer En Villasis. They initially planned to submit Sitio Diablo as an entry for film festivals but eventually decided against it.

“The idea is to come up with non-actor cast members, particularly rappers, and we will just pick one or two showbiz actors for the film. They are not experts and they are not used to acting in front of a camera. We used the urban-pop culture, especially the underground as setting (or) what we call the street hip-hop,” he explained in a Zoom media conference.

“In America, there’s The Bronx, there’s mainstream and there’s underground. But merong mas underground pa,” he added. “In the Philippines, we also have that. Kaya kinuha namin yung mga malulupit na kalye hip-hop (artists). And who are (these people) in this kind of market? They are the cast included in this film. It’s the first time in Philippine cinema na makikita na mga sikat na rappers into acting,” and quipped, “Ayaw na nila mag-rap after this one.”

The homegrown talents that direk Roman is referring to are: Pinoy hip-hop superstar and YouTuber Pio Balbuena, rapper Because; R&B artist and Binibini singer Cean Jr.; rapper and Filipino record producer Ace Raval; and singer-songwriter Just Hush.

In the sexy-action thriller, they are part of a rival gang where a brutal fight is about to happen. The movie also stars AJ Raval and Kiko Estrada, who play a gangster couple returning to Sitio Diablo, a gangland in Manila, and form a new gang, Illustrados. A “bloodbath” is set to happen when they face their old gang, the Los Hijos Diablos who rule Sitio Diablo.

Benz Sangalang, Joko Diaz, Azi Acosta, Ruby Ruiz, Karl Aquino, Alvaro Oteyza, Massimo Scofield and Sheina Yu are also part of the cast. The music video of their official soundtrack Diablo is out now.

“It’s challenging for them (to act),” admitted direk Roman. However, “they have acted in their music videos, so in a way they have knowledge on how to act in front of a camera. Inaral ko na lang yung mga character nila.”

A hip-hop fan since the ‘90s, direk Roman asserted that hip-hop is more than just music, it is a culture. “It’s a lifestyle. Yun din yung gusto nating dalhin (in the film). Mas bumaba lang tayo ngayon kasi mas kalye hip-hop ‘to and kalye culture yung pinag-uusapan natin pero mas very Filipino. Tayo ‘to.”

Pio, who had previous acting stints, described hip-hop culture as, “Kailangan matapang so yung rage, astig eh yung expression. So parang kadalasan ‘pag mga gangster films, madalas hip-hop eh.”

Because graduated from the University of the East with a background in performing arts and tried acting before. He grew up in Tondo, Manila and was able to witness the kind of life there. “I’ve seen some films na duon yung setting, makita ko lang yung lugar, makita ko lang yung mga pamilyang na ano parang nabubuhayan na ako. I believe it is important that we have that kind of representation, especially where I came from because nakukuwento kong anong storya na pinag-uusapan namin… Maraming natutupad na pangarap sa simpleng representation na yun on a big screen.”

On the other hand, Ace had no plans of entering showbiz at first but with his father Jeric Raval and sister AJ also in the business, he was encouraged to try it out. He also emphasized that the representation of hip-hop is important in the film to mirror reality. “What you see in the scenes in the movie, that is the real us, rappers. Kaya po naming maging ganun,” he said.

Cean was interested in showbiz ever since but didn’t have the chance until direk Roman approached him for Sitio Diablo. He immediately accepted the project because aside from music, he also wants to explore other forms of creative arts.

“Since yung movie is focused sa laylayan na kadalasan hip-hop ang pinakikinggan, malaking bagay na parte sya ng pelikula because we already have rapper’s underground scene… It plays a big part in the film so that people can relate to it,” he shared.

Meanwhile, their veteran co-star, Joko Diaz, expressed his high respect for rappers. “Actually, these rappers don’t need showbiz actors because they can stand alone. We admire them because they create their own culture. They create their own followers. Isipin mo para magkaroon ka na followers dapat malupit ka. At lahat itong kasama namin dito, malulupit…”

The actor came to know them through his children. “Para mafo-follow mo yung mga kids ngayon, dapat may sarili ka talagang area. Yung area yan hawak nila yan. Tsaka yuung sabihin na laylayan, yan yung sinasabi kultura na Pilipino,” he said.

(Sitio Diablo is currently streaming on Vivamax).