AFTER being introduced as the only fictional character in director Jerrold Tarrog’s historical trilogy in the role of Joven the observer, Arron Villaflor said it was a big honor to be chosen for the role.
“The difference from ‘Heneral Luna’ is now Joven is handling different work, from a journalist to a photographer so kumukuha ako ng mga larawan sa pelikulang ito. I’m still thankful and grateful kasi knowing TBA Studios family, coming from ‘Heneral Luna,’ especially my director Jerrold Tarog who still trusts me with the character of Joven. Sobrang natutuwa talaga ako kasi nandito pa rin ako until now. Sana tumawid ito hanggag sa pangatlong movie (laughs),” he told Push.
One of the biggest challenges in Goyo according to Arron included shooting in the rain for almost two weeks.
“Masasabi ko yung pinakamahirap na eksena namin yung nag-shu-shoot kami sa bundok kasi kailangan namin mag-rent pa ng mga 4×4 na sasakyan para lang makarating kami sa taas. Kasi every time na may shoot kami dun lagi kaming inuulan. So sila nag-decide yung mga boss na kailangan na ng mga 4×4 at makuhanan na lahat ng mga eksena dun considering that it was raining all the time we were shooting in the mountains so it was also our most memorable experience na maputik, pati yung mga kabayo namin nahihirapan umakyat, wala na kaming ligo din halos. Pero dahil nabuo kami as family, wala kang makikitang bahid na yung inis. Nagtutulungan kami nung time na yun at nagagawa pa rin namin ngumiti sa bawat isa kasi sobrang wala naman kaming magagawa sa ulan. Hindi naman natin ginugusto yun. Every time na may shoot kami na mga every other day, yun yung nangyayari na umuulan, yun yung laging scenario sa shooting,” he recalled.
As of two historical epic projects “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,” Arron said he has already learned a lot about Philippine history.
“Like I always say, from ‘Heneral Luna,’ I didn’t know, kasi when I was in high school, they didn’t introduce me to Heneral Luna and his history. Kasi ang alam namin si Jose Rizal at Lapu-Lapu, so para sa akin nagkaroon talaga ako ng kaalaman kay Heneral Luna ganun din sa ‘Goyo.’ Hindi ko kilala na ganito pala siya katindi at grabe yung drive niya para lang mabago yung bayan. It’s just that he’s still young, marami siyang plano sa isip but then again ang gumagalaw pa rin is yung mga superior niya which is sila Emilio Aguinaldo. So gusto ni Goyo gawin yung mga bagay na nasa isip niya kaso in control siya dahil kay Emilio. Pero grabe yung spirit and drive niya para sa taong bayan. Kasi akala ko nung una kontrabida siya sa Heneral Luna eh. May purpose talaga yung character ni Goyo at kung bakit siya naging batang heneral at may gusto niyang patunayan sa sarili niya na gusto niya ma-achieve para sa bayan,” he shared. (Push)
