Ian Veneracion’s return to action comes at a ‘perfect’ time

In Lester Pimentel Ong’s action series One Good Day, Ian Veneracion plays a gangster who wants to walk away from the gang life.

“It’s called One Good Day because my character lives a gangster lifestyle, he’s a good businessman, he’s been through a lot but he wants out. He no longer wants to continue that life and all he wants is this one good, peaceful day. But in order to get there, he has to get through so much violence as the past catches up with him. That’s his end goal,” the lead star said during a recent virtual roundtable interview.

One Good Day marks Ian’s return to the action genre. He starred in his first action film when he was only 15 and led around 25 action movies before he became one of the country’s favorite romantic leading men. Some of his best-known actioners are Zaldong Tisoy, Halang Ang Bituka, Sgt. Bobby Aguilar: Isa Lang Ang Buhay Mo, Ben Balasador: Akin ang Huling Alas, Bastardo, Armadong Hudas and Totoy Hitman.

“When this was pitched to me, I was immediately interested, of course. (Action is) my homecourt. I felt very comfortable because I love martial arts, guns, motorcycles and stuff that we need to show (in series),” said Ian, who executed all the stunt work himself.

Hard to believe but the veteran actor is 47, but he certainly doesn’t feel his age.

“I do all the stuff... kaya ko pa naman magpasagasa sa kotse hahaha! OK pa. Even in sports, I play basketball, football, badminton. OK pa. Wala pa akong physical limitations (in terms of) hindi nagagawa ngayon na nagagawa in my 20s. Wala pa naman! Hindi pa lumalabas hahaha,” said Ian, who added that as an actor, his role in One Good Day is complex because “internal chaos and order are happening to him. And he has to be a good person, at the same time, he has violent tendencies. So masarap siya laruin as a character.”

His action comeback comes at a perfect time thanks to the wonders of technology.

“(Now) it’s possible to do many shots that were impossible before. Because before, when we used to do films, we only had 400 feet of film. Now, we can do one whole scene with one flow,” he compared the differences of action films then and now. “If before you need a helicopter, now drone lang pwede na. So ang daming options — even in low-light conditions. Ibang-iba talaga ngayon and we had to utilize that.”

“Direk Lester did a good job of maximizing those aspects, from the non-linear storytelling to the colored grading to the image and sound quality. We used really good lenses. The camera setups, medyo hindi siya usually ginagamit locally. So, our plan also is to show a different side as direk Lester and I share (the mindset) that we’re so proud of the Filipino talent.

“Hopefully, it opens doors not just for us… and makes them aware na kaya din pala natin ang ganitong action, that we really have good stuntmen, actors and cinematographers and so forth. We’re hoping for good viewership so we can do Season 2 and Season 3 and so on.”

According to Ian, One Good Day also aims to present another side to the Philippines itself as it premieres on the international streaming platform Prime Video on Nov. 17.

“The basis for the storytelling is because foreigners know us … ‘pag sinabi Philippines, na-imagine kaagad nila poor communities and stuff. Eto ang gusto ni direk Lester Pimentel, look, ipakita yung other side of the Philippines, yung old rich, farm (views), modern architecture,” Ian said.

“Nakakatuwa kasi ‘di lang Philippines market natin. Gusto natin mapanood sa Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore. Yung fight director na kinuha natin is based in Singapore. So lumilipad siya dito for fight scenes and all. So marami tayong kababayan makakapanood and hopefully, hindi lang Filipino and makita nila more of the other side, not the street view of the Philippines, of our culture.”

The production shot in Iloilo for five weeks. “Every day we shot there, the people were so excited because usually nag-shu-shoot in Bacolod, in Cebu. And it was the first time nag-shoot sa Iloilo and a lot of businesses were like, oh you can shoot at our bar, our house, or whatever. The local government also was very supportive and we felt the excitement of everyone there.”

This new project marks a milestone as well as Ian is celebrating his 40th year in show business.

At this point of his career, how does he pick his next projects? “Nothing in particular, really. For me, my concern now is working with the right people. Good vibes. That’s more important to me now unlike before, (I was like) dream ko makatrabaho si ganito. If nakatrabaho mo na lahat mong gusto katrabaho, (then you start thinking) dream ko magkaganitong role,” Ian said.

“Pero yun nga, sa tagal ko sa industry ngayon, I am more focused on the enjoyment of working with the right people, with whom you have the same passion, mindset and same effort in pursuing to upgrade the quality of what you’re doing. Kesa napakagaling pero bad vibes naman.”

The STAR also asked how it felt to be still enjoying leading man status after four decades, Ian admitted, “It’s so surprising, I never would have thought I’d be busier now than before. Kasi nga I was resigned to the fact that when you’re past your prime, what’s next? When you’re a father in real life, you have father roles. When you’re a lolo in real life, you have lolo roles and stuff. I’m so OK with that and I have accepted that.

Filmmaker Lester Pimentel Ong with the main cast of the series on location in Iloilo.

“But strangely, meron parang biglang people are just supportive of the things that I do. I’ve gone into music for example and people have been very supportive whether it’s a TV show, art exhibit or a concert… I’m just really grateful because everyone has been so kind. People from the industry, especially strangers, people I’ve never met, support my projects.”