THE cast of the Philippine adaptation of hit Korean series “Descendants of the Sun” have embarked on a rigid training regimen with the military to fully prepare for their roles.
According to a report by Nelson Canlas in “24 Oras,” Dingdong Dantes, Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas, Prince Clemente, Jon Lucas, and Lucho Ayala spent two days training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Special Forces in Port Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
The actors received no special treatment — they rolled in mud, exercised under the rain, and tackled difficult obstacle courses alongside soldiers.
Dingdong said that they were all willing to go through the training in order to truly understand their roles.
“Eto ‘yung gusto namin dahil gusto talaga naming magampanan ng maayos and as accurately as possible yung role ng pagiging isang sundalo,” he said.
“The only way to really portray them properly is to immerse and be with them kahit na panandalian lang, kasi malaking bagay na maintindihan namin ‘yung motivation kung bakit nila ginagawa to,” he added.
After being worked to exhaustion and having their stamina and fighting spirit sorely tested, the stars gained newfound respect for the military.
Rocco said they hope viewers will also feel the same.
“Gusto namin mabuksan ang mga mata ng mga tao na grabe pala ang ginagawa ng mga sundalo ng Pilipinas para sa atin,” he said. (GMA News)
