Ruru Madrid wants to make a name for himself in the action world. Impressively for the Kapuso homegrown, he is already living that dream as Elias Guerrero in “Black Rider,” banking on a performance that has gained so much respect and admiration from his co-stars.

KAPUSO PRIMETIME ACTION HERO

Ruru, 26, has always wanted to be an action star. 

“Pangarap ko ‘to eh, pangarap ko maging isang ganap na action star,” he said during a media conference for the second season of “Black Rider.”

This full-action series by GMA Prime has not only fulfilled his dream, it’s become a legitimate calling card for the young actor who’s now known as the Kapuso Primetime Action Hero. 

Aside from no less than a bronze medal from the New York Festivals TV and Film Awards and impressive ratings, a clear reflection of Ruru’s stellar heavy action skills are his co-stars’ words of commendation.

Jon Lucas, playing Black Rider’s villainous role of Calvin, said Ruru’s natural talent and knack for intense action scenes challenge him. “Si Ruru talaga, mahilig sa mga fight scenes na kumplikado gawin, kasi gusto niya pag lumabas sa TV, yung maa-appreciate ng mga tao. Kaya every eksena, talagang nagiging challenge sa akin,” he said.

Yassi Pressman echoed a similar sentiment. The 28-year-old actress, portraying the character of Vanessa “Bane” Bartolome, had nothing but good words for Ruru and his acting prowess. “Lahat po kaya gawin ni Ruru, at hindi rin siya mahilig magpa-double,” talking about the latter’s insistence to do majority of his heavy fight scenes without the assistance of a stuntman.

“Kung nabibigyan po ako ng ganung klaseng eksena, gusto natin mapantayan yung ganung standard na binibigay ni Black Rider,” she added. 

SEASON EXTENSION

Black Rider is coming off a highly acclaimed first season. It’s been logging in top-ranking ratings since January 2024, and just recently claimed a bronze medal from an international award-giving body for television and film.

Ruru is beyond proud of what the show has achieved in only five months since it premiered in November 2023. “Sobrang nakakataba ng puso dahil lahat naman tayo, binubuhos natin lahat ng ating makakaya para mapaganda ang mga programang ginagawa natin, para mapansin di lamang sa ating bansa kundi sa New York, sobrang malaking achievement yun para sa aming lahat,” he said.

He has already defeated the Golden Scorpion, an antagonistic syndicate group that made Elias’ life miserable in season one, but the fight for justice and peace is not over yet.

In its upcoming “Black Rider: Bagong Digmaan” season, lead character Elias Guerrero braces for more evil and villainy. All the bloodshed and chaos will be made even more violent as new characters enter his life, bannered by Vivamax’ A-lister Angeli Khang, who was introduced to the press during the show’s media conference last April 16.

Other fresh personalities joining Ruru are Lianne Valentin as Sister Grace; Luke Conde as William; BJ Forbes as Mario; Epy Quizon as Sonny; Madam Inutz as Gina; William Lorenzo as Jojo; Yul Servo as Vice President Rosales; and Matet de Leon as Belen.

“Siyempre kailangan sa isang istorya na may mawawala, may bagong darating, pero ang pagpapasalamat sa mga artistang naging parte ng programang ito ay sobra-sobra. Alam natin na kailangan ‘yun para mapaganda ang kwento, at meron din namang papalit para mapaganda rin yung istorya,” said the Primetime Action Hero.

Ruru Madrid promises to bring more energy and intensity to an already action-packed series. “Yung mga plot twist na hindi natin inaasahan, mga bagong kalaban, mga pagsasanib-pwersa kung san mahihirapan talaga si Black Rider. Yun di yung kagustuhan ko sa programang ito, hindi kami nagse-settle sa ‘ok na yan,’ lagi kaming may hinahanap na kung saan may bago kaming maipapakita sa manonood,” Ruru claimed.