Onwards and upwards for Rocco Nacino

Kapuso actor Rocco Nacino is proud to be a member of the cast of this year’s “Encantadia,” the requel of the well-loved telefantasya that changed the landscape of primetime TV when it was first aired over a decade ago.

 In the new version which premiered July, Rocco plays Aquil, a role previously portrayed by now Quezon City fifth district Congressman Alfred Vargas.

 “I was so glad because Direk Mark (Reyes) said he needed someone like me for the role,” related the former Starstruck Batch V second prince.

 He is likewise thankful that the GMA bosses believed that he is fit for the role. He considers it a big challenge to play Aquil but he is glad because he was able to put to good use his knowledge of martial arts. In one of the fight sequences Sanya Lopez’s Sang’gre Danaya, it was Rocco who choreographed the fight scene.

 “I even underwent physical training for my role like weight training. I have to be fit. If you notice, I am more buff. I need it for the role because I am playing a general. I should look strong, not weak,” he said.

 Rocco disclosed that he also auditioned for the role of Ybarro but Direk Mark and his managers told him he’s more suitable for Aquil. Ybarro, originally played by Dingdong Dantes, was given to Ruru Madrid instead. “It is one of the important roles in the series and I am thankful it was given to me. I was flattered that I got the role,” the nursing graduate said.

 To make sure that he will give his own interpretation of Aquil, Rocco chose not to watch any of the old episodes of “Encantadia.”

 “I want to give Aquil a different flavor. My role is the protector of the kingdom so I made sure I will give it a different attack,” said the Golden Screen Awards Breakthrough Performance by An Actor awardee.

 On matters of the heart, Rocco and Lovi Poe broke up after a two-year relationship but at this point, Rocco is not yet ready to enter into a new relationship. “Love life can wait. Ang importante ay hindi ko iyon hinahanap sa ngayon. I want to concentrate on my career and on my business. I am preparing for my future which is also important,” he said.

 Taping for “Encantadia” is what keeps him busy and helps take his mind off love matters. “I think and focus on my job. It takes a lot of effort but I am in the stage of moving on. I doubt if there is a chance for us to get back together. We can’t answer that now so I’d rather focus on work.”

So he is not looking for a love life? “Hindi naman. Pumila muna sila. File your application,” Rocco jokingly said. “Very positive lang dapat. It was a relationship without regrets. We loved each other truly so yun ang maganda. Masaya lang ako na marami akong naibahagi sa kanyang buhay.”

 Does he get hurt now that Lovi is linked to other guys? “May kanya-kanya na kaming buhay. Okay lang. What is important is that we are both happy,” said Rocco.

 Rocco is happy with his career and is thankful for the many projects coming his way. He has enough work to keep him busy daily. Come September 23, he will be doing a concert together with fellow Kapuso artists Aljur Abrenica, Derrick Monasterio and Jake Vargas at the Music Museum titled “Oh, Boy” and he is very excited about it although he is feeling some pressure because this is the first time that he is doing a concert.

 The musical event is produced by Dreamstar Productions in cooperation with GMA Corporate Communications.

 “We are now researching and meeting for the concert like choosing what songs to sing and also preparing for the rehearsals. Grabe talaga ang pressure sa akin kasi first time ko mag-concert tapos magagaling pa ang mga kasama ko,” added Rocco.

 Does the actor feel there is something missing in his life? “Wala na. Basta what I am concerned now is that I do everything right. I am focused on myself and the things that I need to do. I will keep myself occupied with work during my waking hours. When I went to Qatar, I missed taping for ‘Encantadia.’ I missed my costume and my sword. Kaya naman I am looking forward to every taping day,” said the Kapuso hunk.

 Rocco is working his butt off for a good reason – he wants to build his dream house. He had bought himself a lot in Antipolo that has a good view of Ortigas. He is now talking with an architect as he plans to build his dream abode soon.

 “Saka na muna ang love life. Pahinga muna ang puso ko sa ngayon. Everything happens for a reason naman eh,” he said.

 To end our interview, we asked Rocco a hypothetical question – what would he do in case he wins a million dollars?

 “If you asked that question last year, I would have answered I will use part of that money for the education of my sibling. But since he has graduated, I will use the money to build my dream house. I will also use it to contribute to a foundation that supports cancer victims. Since my mom is a cancer survivor, we have been extending help to cancer victims, most especially children. Definitely a portion of that money will go to the foundation for cancer victims.”