At the media conference for Deleter, which LionhearTV covered on December 6, singer-actor-director Jeffrey Hidalgo considered landing his acting projects as the ‘biggest’ plot twist for 2022.
Hildago noted that he initially aimed to focus on directing but still felt thankful for the opportunity to act.
“Ito ‘yung biggest plot twist ko of 2022 kasi ayun nga, naka-focus na talaga ako sa directing. But of course, I’m very thankful na nabibigyan ako ng acting roles, like ‘yung Flower of Evil, sila ‘yung talagang nag-push sa akin to accept that project.
“Kasi ayaw ko na masyadong uma-akting for TV. Buti umoo ako doon, nakita ako ni Direk Mik[hail]. It was a very good experience din ‘yung Flower of Evil, same as Deleter. So mas nag-open ‘yung horizons ko to acting.”
His most notable directorial projects are Silong (2015) and Lampas Langit (2022).
Deleter director Mikhail Red recounted how he knew Hidalgo from the local film festival circuit.
“Actually, ang tagal ko ng kilala si Jeffrey. Name-meet ko siya sa mga film festivals kasi director din siya, filmmaker. So minsan nagkikita kami sa mga local film fest like Cinemalaya, K-Cinema, pero napanood ko talaga siya as an actor noong pumunta ako sa premiere niya sa Flower of Evil.
“Tapos sa episode kasi na ‘yun very interesting. Parang ‘yung character niya doon, so naiisip ko nga na siyempre when we have to cast for this film no, from Viva, doon ko na-realize na nagkataon na Viva rin siya.”
Red then shared his experience with directing a fellow filmmaker.
“Sobrang okay ka-work si Jeffrey kasi parang as a director, naiintidihan niya ‘yung film language. So, nae-explain ko lang kung ano ‘yung kailangan ko, hanggang saan, ito ‘yung shot, and kuha niya agad. Very collaborative din ‘yung process, so ang interesting, first time ko ata maka-work ng actor/director.”
Hidalgo stars in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 entry, Deleter, with Nadine Lustre, McCoy De Leon, and Louise De Los Reyes.
Directed by Mikhail Red and produced by Viva Films, Deleter opens on December 25, Christmas Day.
