Ruru Madrid gets nostalgic on 'Hari ng Tondo' set, says Dennis Trillo is his acting role model

Ruru Madrid has started taping for his upcoming series “Hari ng Tondo.”

According to Aubrey Carampel’s report on “24 Oras” Wednesday, the actor felt nostalgic as they taped inside an abandoned Quezon City jail, which happened to be one of the locations where he and Dennis Trillo also taped "Green Bones."

“Ito ‘yung aming first taping day na magkasama kami ni Kuya Dennis for 'Hari ng Tondo.' Unang eksena rin na magkakasama kami bilang si Gabriel at Egay,” Ruru said.

"I'm very excited kasi the last time na nakatrabaho ko si Kuya Dennis, sa kulungan din. It was for 'Green Bones' and now nakakulong na rin ako, so parehas na. Abangan natin," he added.

Per Ruru, his role in "Hari ng Tondo" is one of the darkest characters he has ever played.

He also shared that one of his role models in accepting projects like these is Dennis.

“To be honest, biggest inspiration ko rin sa paggawa ng ganitong, you know, pelikula at may teleserye, si Kuya Dennis,” Ruru said.

“Kasi nga nung ginagawa namin 'yung ‘Green Bones,’ sabay niyang ginagawa 'yung ‘Green Bones’ at ‘Pulang Araw’ during that time. So sabi ko, kung kaya ni Kuya Dennis, kaya ko rin 'yan."

Meanwhile, Ruru said he is blessed in his career and love life, and is happy for his younger sister Rere Madrid, who recently got married to Kai Sotto.

“Noong una nakakagulat, but at the same time, sobrang na-happy ako dahil I would say parang first time ko nakita si Rere na ganon kasaya so bilang kuya, napakasarap din sa puso,” he said.

Previously, Ruru had an immersion in Tondo, Manila, in preparation for the series.

“Hari ng Tondo” stars Rocco Nacino, Ryza Cenon, Ysabel Ortega, Elle Villanueva, Arra San Agustin, and Heath Jornales.

Other cast members include Gary Estrada, Victor Neri, and Nonie Buencamino, with the special participation of Isko Moreno. The series is directed by Enzo Williams.

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA News