"It's Okay To Not Be Okay" actor Carlo Aquino. Screen grab: YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment
MANILA -- Kapamilya actor Carlo Aquino admitted having second thoughts before accepting his challenging role in the upcoming series "It's Okay To Not Be Okay," the Philippine adaption of the hit South Korean drama.
In a media conference on Monday, June 30, for the upcoming drama, Aquino explained that he was actually afraid to take on the role of Matmat, a high-functioning individual on the autism spectrum.
"Parang nagdadalawang isip ako na kunin 'yung role, 'yung character, kasi nga takot na takot ako. Nagdadalawang isip ako kasi takot akong gawin 'yung character. So ang dami 'yung what ifs, 'yung doubts, 'yung mga takot. Eh lumaki nang lumaki, lumobo nang lumobo 'yon, so kailangan kong paputukin. Kailangan I had to see this through. Kailangan kung mag-fail ako at least ginawa ko, tinry ko," said Aquino.
Aquino said that he became more comfortable about the role after he was able to open up and talk to his co-stars Joshua Garcia and Anne Curtis.
"Noong nagkita kami for the first time, 'yung sit-down natin, nag-open ako kay Joshua nang pinagdaanan ko sa buhay. Tapos siya rin naging ganoon siya sa akin. So sabi ko, 'okay na ito.' Medyo naging kampante ako. Tapos si Anne, naging kampante ako noong nakasama ko sila sa sit-down 'okay mae-enjoy ko ito,'" added Aquino, who underwent a three-day immersion to a special school to study and create his character.
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"It's Okay To Not Be Okay" lead stars Joshua Garcia, Anne Curtis and Carlo Aquino. Screen grab: YouTube/ABS-CBN EntertainmentIn the media conference, the show's creators and directors Raymond Ocampo and Mae Cruz-Alviar praisesd Aquino's performance.
Alviar also stressed that Aquino didn't get to watch the original version of the drama.
"It was based on our own research and interpretation of the character. That's why kudos talaga kay Caloy kasi noong pinasok niya 'yon kinuha from real people na in-observe, kinasalamuha niya and talaga namang nabuo niya 'yung character based on all that," Alviar said.
Curtis and Garcia also applauded Aquino's "amazing" portrayal as Matmat.
"Carlo's performance, it's always so raw. Like whenever I'm in a scene with him, I know that I don't need to prepare on my own because I know in each scene I will get so much from him, that each performance is just so raw and beautiful. So you guys have to see Carlos' performance, it's really amazing," Curtis said.
"Ako lagi niyang ka-eksena at hindi narin ako nagpi-prepare, diretso na. ...Madadala ka talaga kay kuya Carlo, ang galing niya," Garcia said.
ABS-CBN's "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" will be available on Netflix beginning July 18, on iWantTFC starting July 19 and on ABS-CBN platforms, TV5, A2Z, Jeepney TV starting July 21.
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