Once linked to each other,  Diego & Franki turn up the heat in ‘Pabuya’

CEBU, Philippines —  Still among the busiest actors in the Viva stable, Diego Loyzaga is back on screen as a gang leader in “Pabuya”, an urban action thriller that’s premiering today, October 7, on Vivamax.

At war with a rival gang, chased by the police, and dependent on a woman for his escape is what his character Pepe faces in this film written and directed by Manila-based New Yorker Phil Gordiano who debuted with his first Filipino film “Pusoy” a few months back.

Tasked as Diego’s leading lady this time around is former Pinoy Big Brother housemate Franki Russell who is starring in her very first movie and who made headlines also a few months ago for what seemed like a brewing romance between her and Diego.

Franki plays Bella, whom Pepe runs to after killing an undercover cop. Bella is sweet and loving, and because of their history, Pepe puts his trust in her. But this trust is shaken when the police issues a reward for his capture.

“It’s always a good time working with Franki’s presence. It was definitely an experience, let’s just say that. I kind of saw myself back in the day when I didn’t know much Tagalog and I was new in the business,” Diego told entertainment writers during a digital conference.

“Although she’s taped for televisions shows, kinakapa pa niya yung ibang bagay, especially with love scenes which are difficult to shoot. A good thing was our DOP [director of photography] was female and we were surrounded by a lot of females so hindi nakakailang masayado, I hope, for Franki. It’s cute working with her because of some of the things she doesn’t know yet and you have to remind her. ”

Diego calls “Pabuya” the wildest film he’s done so far. “I told Direk that if we’re gonna do this, might as well do it all the way,” he said.

Franki, who had appeared long-running television series “Ang Probinsyano” after her 2019 PBB stint, said she felt definitely ready for her daring role in “Pabuya.”

“Hindi na ako bata. I actually felt excited and hungry for the role. When I read the script, I thought, napakagandang story. I just always felt confident with my body. You know if you got it, flaunt it,” said the Filipino-New Zealander beauty who was the first to represent the Philippines in the first-ever Miss Universe pageant in the United Arab Emirates.

On working with Diego, the gorgeous star said, “I felt lucky as he helped me become comfortable on set. He’s an experienced actor so I learned a lot just working with him. It was very fun.”

“Pabuya” includes a supporting cast that Vivamax viewers will surely be familiar with. Jela Cuenca (Taya, 5in1, Boy Bastos, Palitan, Isalnd of Desire, Silip sa Apoy) plays Maricar, the seductive but selfish ex-girlfriend of Pepe; Felix Roco (‘Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin, Kaliwaan) plays Jojo, the leader of the rival gang; while Jiad Arroyo (Doblado, Adan, High on Sex, Kitty K-7) plays Victor dela Cruz, the lead detective who has a shady side to him.

Direk Phil said that while Filipino films are a huge inspiration in his work, he looked to Martin Scorsese and a few Hongkong flicks in crafting “Pabuya.”

“For this film, my inspiration was more from immersion and research. For the tone and visual treatment, I was inspired by Martin Scorsese films and some Hongkong films. It’s not like a parallel narrative or anything. I’m deeply inspired by mean streets. I looked a lot at director’s first films and I liked Scorsese’s first film. I also look to ‘Good Fellas’…his whole catalogue is very inspiring to me.”

“Pabuya”, he shared, delves on themes of loyalty and betrayal. “With the big cash reward, who’s going to stay loyal, and who’s going betray him?,” he said. “I also thought it a little ironic because Pepe is so good, loving, and loyal to everyone but then he is still betrayed so it speaks of the theme of the film – like his reward for being good is what happens [in the film].”