It is no secret that “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan” lead star David Licauco was challenged playing Deacon Sam, a fervently faithful priest-in-the-making whose entry in the fictional flawed town of Santo Kristo exposes him to temptations and change.

In an interview with GMA Regional TV News, David bared what about Deacon Sam’s lowkey but optimistic persona was easiest– and most difficult–  to internalize.

MOST DIFFICULT
David already admitted during the film’s media conference that playing a priest is a rare opportunity in one’s acting resumé, which made the task all the more challenging.

But it is his seemingly bottomless kindness and optimism, David believes, that was particularly tough to mimic. 

“In acting, and even in real life, kapag may nakikita kang masama I think it’s normal at first na you'll feel emotions– you get mad, or pissed na ‘why are these people going through this?’ but then with Deacon Sam, he’s just always positive,” the “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan” headliner told GMA RTV News.

In the upcoming GMA Pictures satirical comedy, Licauco plays the character of a priest who is sent to a morally impoverished town where sinners sin aplenty. His task is to face these temptations head on as he guides the townspeople away from their broken ways. 

As a reaction-heavy actor who likes to curate his acting style according to his fellow actors and their interaction with the mis-en-scéne, the 30-year-old Kapuso star said it was a bit difficult to go in and out of Deacon Sam’s persona. 

“Of course I'm the type of actor who just reacts, and kung minsan you can't help but put yourself in that situation. But then again it's acting, and then again you have to be a priest– so many questions in my head–  it’s very challenging,” he said of the complex portrayal. 

EASIEST
Despite the challenge, David is thankful for the opportunity to be chosen for Deacon Sam's character.

“I think it's just nice to be a character who's just so positive in life, sometimes maganda maging ganun,” he said.  

What he said was the easiest in his Deacon Sam journey is the very calm and low-key demeanor of the aspiring priest.

“He’s a very chill person. And I'm pretty chill also, so he just doesn't speak a lot which is good for me kasi di naman talaga ako masyado nagsasalita,” he noted. 

David Licauco will star alongside First Lady of Primetime and fellow Sparkle star Sanya Lopez, together with veteran actor Joel Torre, and Kapuso artists Buboy Villar, Chariz Solomon, Liezel Lopez, Jay Ortega, among others. 

"Samahan ng mga Makasalanan" is produced by GMA Pictures and directed by Benedict Mique. It will make its big screen premiere on April 19.