Alfred Vargas had flashbacks of his late mother while working with Nora Aunor in 'Pieta'
Kapuso actor Alfred Vargas admits that during the filming of Pieta with Superstar Nora Aunor, he had flashbacks of his own memories with his late mother, Atty. Susana Dumlao Vargas.
"Yes. Definitely. There were quiet scenes with Ate Guy that I really felt she was my mother. Then, in the scene itself, I actually saw my mom," said Alfred in a message sent to GMANetwork.com.
"This is probably my best and most magical Nora Aunor experience I've had during the entire shoot."
In case you didn't know, Alfred Vargas is starring with Nora Aunor in Pieta, a suspense drama written by Carlos Palanca winner Jerry Gracio and directed by internationally acclaimed director Adolfo Alix Jr.
He plays Isaac, a son who, after years of incarceration, seeks justice and redemption, all the while trying to reconnect with his blind mother Rebecca (played by Nora Aunor), who is gradually losing her memories to Alzheimer's disease. The movie also features award-winning actors Jaclyn Jose and Gina Alajar.
"Isaac, my role, is a flawed character in multi-levels. His complexities can be understood in his journey to finding a simple but deep truth. He is a son who is willing to do everything for his mother," said Alfred, referring to his character.
On the other hand, Rebecca in her old age is, as Alfred described her, "quiet but deep, blind but insightful." He added, "She's got the mother's wisdom and heart. These are challenged by her Alzheimer's condition and her battle with this is what makes her character multi-dimensional."
At the heart of the movie is the beautiful, at times bittersweet relationship between mother and son. Alfred is particularly proud of the fact that Pieta tackles some of the uncomfortable and heartbreaking truths that children are forced to deal with when their attempt to mend their relationships with their parents comes a little too late.
"The love of a mother to a son is unconditional. But what happens if the connection and communication disappear? Mayroon ba talagang lukso ng dugo? How far can you go to fight for this kind of love? These questions are the most heartbreaking ones that will be tackled in the film," said Alfred, who currently stars in the hit afternoon series AraBella.
According to Alfred, another reason Pinoys should consider seeing Pieta is this: it also serves as Ate Guy's "comeback of sorts."
"And I think it's her first time to play a blind woman. She herself accepted the project because she loved the script from the beginning and she felt that her character, Rebecca, is worthy and compelling to play at this stage of her illustrious, superstar career and as a National Artist."
To this day, the good-looking actor couldn't believe that he was able to work on one project with the National Artist of the Philippines for Film and Broadcast Arts, an honor conferred upon Nora in 2022. He's amazed by her professionalism and dedication to her craft, a quality that he himself aspires to achieve one day.
There's something painfully raw and honest and beautiful about Nora Aunor's acting that would sometimes make Alfred stop in awe.
"She has such humility and total love and surrender to the craft.
"I've seen how she approaches every scene and it's just so amazing. Hands down talaga ako. She's a master of the craft and my whole shooting experience with her was like taking up a master's degree in acting.
"She taught me how to dig deeper in the depths of my heart and soul to bring out the best in my character."
Working up close with one of the legends of showbiz has truly been a one-of-a-kind experience that will stay with Alfred for a very long time. Needless to say, the experience has changed him for the better.
"Even if she's the Superstar and a National Artist, she never made me or anybody from the set feel small or irrelevant. She was the life and darling of the set."
Not to mention, he also shared screen time with such acting heavyweights as Gina Alajar and Jaclyn Jose. Alfred said that at some point during the filming he felt as though he was in some insane superhero crossover.
"There were scenes I did with all three, Nora Aunor, Gina Alajar, and Jaclyn Jose together. I was overwhelmed, in a positive way. I felt like I was in a Marvel movie seeing all my superheroes, in awe and admiration!"
Why must movie fans, especially solid Noranians, see Pieta?
Alfred could only share his favorite quote: "Let me share one of my all-time favorite quotes. It's from Antoine de Saint-Exupery: 'It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.'"
ASIDE FROM BEING AN ACTOR, PRODUCER, AND PUBLIC SERVANT, DID YOU KNOW THAT ALFRED VARGAS ALSO ENJOYS BEING A FAMILY MAN? CHECK OUT THIS GALLERY: