Miguel Tanfelix opens up on hard action debut, character's PTSD in 'Taskforce Firewall'

Miguel Tanfelix shared that one of the biggest challenges in “Taskforce Firewall” is taking on hard action for the first time while also portraying a character dealing with trauma from his military past.

At the media conference on Tuesday for the upcoming series, Miguel said the action-heavy genre pushed him outside his comfort zone.

“Ang challenge sa ‘kin nito ay ‘yung genre niya na hard action. First time kong mag-hard action. Pero dahil willing naman akong magpakapagod sa set, nandiyan naman ‘yung guidance nila direk, ng aming stunt team, at ng aking ka-partner na si Kylie [Padilla], kumbaga ‘yung challenge na ‘yun, nababawasan, mas nagiging enjoyable ‘yung whole process,” he said.

Beyond the action scenes, Miguel said the emotional side of his role as Galo proved just as demanding.

“‘Yung character ko dito, medyo tricky siya dahil iba ‘yung pinapakita niya sa labas, pero iba ‘yung nararamdaman niya sa loob na sumasalamin sa maraming tao na for sure ganyan din kayo—iba ‘yung pinapakita niyo sa pamilya niyo, sa friends niyo, pero deep inside, malungkot kayo. Parang gano’n. So very relatable ‘yung character na ‘yan,” he said.

“And challenge din sya dahil kailangan mahanap ko ‘yung sweet spot, ‘yung balance doon,” he added.

Galo is not a completely new character for viewers.

Miguel revealed that the role connects directly to his appearance in “The Master Cutter,” where Galo was introduced as a soldier who went undercover as one of the armed guards of an Italian-Argentinian arms dealer before a massive gunfight broke out.

“‘Yung character ko dito ay may [post-traumatic stress disorder] kasi galing nga siya sa militar. And nakita niyo sa ‘Master Cutter’ si Galo, same character po ‘yun. Magkadugtong sila,” he said.

“Maraming naging experiences si Galo sa pagiging militar niya at dala-dala niya ‘yung trauma na ‘yun hanggang sa mag-retire siya at mahanap niya ‘yung pamilya niya sa PBI (Philippine Bureau of Investigation).”

According to the Mayo Clinic, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that may occur in people after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Its symptoms vary in intensity and include nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event.

Aside from Miguel and Kylie, “Taskforce Firewall” also stars Jak Roberto, Lexi Gonzales, Buboy Villar, and Cheska Fausto, among others.

"Taskforce Firewall" is set to premiere on GMA Network on May 25. —CDC, GMA News