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It's been a while since Rainier Castillo got to show off his acting chops. Now, Kamandag gives him a chance to play a one-of-a-kind role.
It’s been a while since Rainier Castillo got to show off his acting chops. Now, he finds himself in a project as big as Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag. Although he portrays as usual the good boy with a good heart and great humor, he gives a new twist to his character as he dons a monkey costume. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio “Ako po si Ikoy, isa po ako sa mga monkey tribe na nagbabantay kay Richard [Gutierrez],” Rainier says of his character in the telefantasya. “Ako 'yung parang kanang-kamay…nung head ng mga toro na si Mr. Johnny Delgado. Siya 'yung nag-utos sa ’kin na bantayan si Richard.” Ikoy is a member of the comic Goybaya (the half-men, half-monkey tribe in the underground Kingdom of Ambograw). He is tasked to look after the half-mortal and half-Ambog royalty Vergel, played by Richard. Thus, he is the only Goybaya that spends most of his time in the mortal world. Thus, “ako 'yung pwedeng magsabi ng [mortal terms like] ‘echos’, ‘ay, sorry’, na hindi masasabi ng ibang [half-] animals [from the underworld],” Rainier notes. However, despite his dedication to his mission, Ikoy always gives in to the allure of food – bananas, especially – and this will be the only reason why he will temporarily deviate from his task. Different, indeed Kamandag is Rainier’s third telefantasya project with the Kapuso network, the first two being Etheria and Majika. But while the young star insists he finds each role special, he considers his part in Kamandag very different from the rest. “Iba ‘to kasi hayop ako dito eh,” he explains. “Sa tingin ko ito 'yung pinakamahirap kasi iba 'yung dating. Challenging kasi hindi normal 'yung galaw ko.” Challenging, indeed, is the best term to use as Rainier had to undergo meticulous make-up sessions to make him look like a real half-man, half-monkey. He also had to be cautious of the way he projects himself: he cannot stand straight and must remain slouched in all his scenes. “Talagang galaw-unggoy ako. Bago ako mag-start ng taping, pinag-workshop ako ng ‘ganito galaw mo, mga lakad mo ganito, mga pose mo, mga stance mo, ganito,’” he adds. The demands of the role, however, are not problems for Rainier as he has fun while working. “Enjoy talaga!” With an excited smile, he then promises the viewers to expect something extreme from him. “Ngayon wala pa akong ginagawang extreme talaga,” he teases. “[Pero abangan nila] 'yung role ko talaga! Surprising! To the highest level!” What’s in store for Rainier? Catch him weeknights in Kamandag to find out! Feel free to speak your mind! Tell other people what you think about Rainier in the forums. Feel the fun with Rainier through Fanatxt! Just text RAINIER to 4627 for all telcos. Each message costs Php2.50 for Smart, Talk N Text, Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers and Php2.00 for Sun subscribers. This is available only in the Philippines.