On September 10, award-winning actor John Arcilla shared his preparations for his role in On The Job 2: The Missing 8, including playing with his voice.
During the media conference, Arcilla revealed that he has a background in voice acting.
“I enjoy din playing with my voice. I’m also a voice actor. I also studied voice in theater. In my music naman, my teacher naman is Ryan Cayabyab. So I love playing with voice.”
He also revealed that he studied Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in college, which attributed to his long-time dream of portraying a journalist role.
“Honestly speaking, this is the first time I’m playing a journalist, but I’ve been lobbying to be a journalist because I was a Mass Com graduate. So isa talaga sa mga pangarap ko before is to become a journalist.”
He also admitted being desensitized from the rampant corruption in the Philippines, which helped him portray his role as Sisoy.
“Kaya para sa akin ‘yung preparation para sa role is ‘yung babad na babad na tayo sa klase ng kurapsyon at crime dito sa bansa natin at alam natin kung gaano ka-gritty ‘yung klase ng krimen dito sa atin.
“I’ve had eight Presidents na in my timeline. Since I was young hanggang ngayon. And, parang ‘yung crime and corruption habang tumatanda ako, lalo kong nakikita ‘yung pag-bloom niya. Pagaling ng pagaling ‘yung mga taong gumagawa.”
Arcilla recently trended on social media for his tweet about the current issue of corruption in the government.
He also pointed out the polarization of Filipinos when it comes to people voicing out their opinions.
“Nakakalungkot lang na kapag pumuna ka mayroon ka kaagad color. Either, dilawan ka, or pulahan ka, o ikaw ay kumunista. Samantalang pumupuna ka lang dahil tinatanong mo kung saan napupunta ‘yung binabayaran mong tax.”
Arcilla portrays a corrupt reporter for a local newspaper who goes on an investigation following the disappearance of his colleagues. The movie directed by Erik Matti earned multiple praises at the Venice Film Festival, with Arcilla receiving the Volpi Cup Best Actor Award.
On The Job 2: The Missing 8 also stars Dennis Trillo, Dante Rivero, Christopher de Leon, Lotlot de Leon, Leo Martinez, Agot Isidro, Andrea Brillantes, Rayver Cruz, and Joey Marquez. The joint production of HBO Asia Originals, Reality Entertainment, and Globe Studios premiered on September 10, 2021.