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Bryce Eusebio and Will Ashley expressed deep gratitude for the guidance of director Kip Oebanda on the set of Bar Boys After School, one of the entries in the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.

At the movie's media conference, Bryce mentioned how Direk Kip gave him creative freedom in portraying his role as Jonas.

He shared, “This is my first time to work with Direk Kip. Actually, minessage ako ni Ate Teri [Therese Malavar] na mag-audition sa Bar Boys.

“So, noong natanggap ako 'tapos, nag-start mag-work shop with Direk Kip, it was really a different feeling. First time kong maramdaman yung parang ganung klaseng style ng directing and pag-guide ng isang direktor sa akin.”

Bryce added, “Sobrang talagang naramdaman ko yung freedom ko as an actor. Sobrang talagang naramdaman ko yung freedom ko as an actor—to do what I want to do and do whatever I feel like in a scene.

“Hindi niya ako pinigilan sa kahit anong ginawa ko bilang aktor. 'No matter the outcome,' sabi niya, 'yun ang naramdaman mo bilang tao at yun ang susundin natin.'”

Because of this, Bryce said he will carry the lessons he learned on the Bar Boys set as he continues his acting career.

“Talagang forever po,” he said. “Nineteen pa lang po ako, sana humaba pa ang career ko. Pero tatandaan ko yun palagi bilang aktor, na huwag akong malimitahan sa mga gagawin ko. Yun ang natutuhan ko bilang actor dito sa set ng Bar Boys.”

Director Kip Oebanda and Will Ashley on the set of Bar Boys After School. Courtesy: 901 Studios

Meanwhile, Will was happy to work again with Direk Kip, who previously directed him in the award-winning film Balota. For his performance in the said movie, Will was named “New Movie Actor of the Year” at the 41st PMPC Star Awards.

Bar Boys After School is his first project after his stint on Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition.

“Ang dami kong pinagdaanan. At itong Bar Boys yung pagbalik ko ulit sa pag-arte. Kaya para sa akin, naging challenging talaga siya, e, kasi ang tagal kong nawala sa pag-arte. Yung pinortray ko sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya yung sarili ko kaya sobrang nanibago ako,” Will recalled.

However, with the help of Direk Kip and his co-stars, he said, “Naging smooth talaga. Nagbalik ako sa kung ano talaga yung purpose ko, kung bakit ko gusto ang pag-arte. Tinulungan ako ni Direk Kip at cast ng Bar Boys. Kasi, ang gulo ng utak ko that time, sobrang overwhelming yung mga nangyayari. Pero grateful ako kasi talagang ginuide nila ako sa tama at ito nagawa na namin yung movie.”

Bryce and Will was joined by the original actors from the first Bar Boys film released in 2017—Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Kean Cipriano, Enzo Pineda, and veteran actress Odette Khan. Among the new cast members are Therese Malvar, Emilio Daez, Benedix Ramos, and Klarisse de Guzman.

Meanwhile, here are some Kapuso stars who are also part of other MMFF 2025 entries: