‘Manila’s Finest’ marks Piolo Pascual’s third straight MMFF project
Piolo Pascual felt “privileged” to take on yet another meaty role in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 official entry, “Manila’s Finest.” The crime drama film is helmed by Rae Red and written by Moira Lang, Sherad Sanchez and Michiko Yamamoto.
The veteran actor plays Lt. Homer Magtibay, a seasoned cop, in the movie produced by MQuest Ventures and Cignal.
Set in 1969, the story follows a band of Manila policemen struggling to preserve their integrity and loyalties as creeping state control signals a nation about to change.
“Manila’s Finest” is Piolo’s third straight MMFF participation following “Mallari” and
“GomBurZa” in 2023 and “The Kingdom” in 2024.
In every acting project he takes on, Piolo makes sure to come in “fresh” and “raw” to better portray his characters.
“When I came on board for ‘Mallari,’ I didn’t know what I was getting myself into given the three roles that I had to portray. I came in as a student and I came out learning a lot of things with the characters I had to portray,” he told The STAR during the look test and table reading at the Meralco Lighthouse in Ortigas.
“And going into the next project which is ‘The Kingdom,’ I had to do a lot of action scenes. And of course, (it was with) Vic Sotto. So, I always come in as a newbie. I don’t go (to) the set with my techniques or everything that I’ve learned because I always like to collaborate with my director. I love to collaborate with my co-artists.”
“So, every time I come into a project, I always make sure that I come in fresh, raw,” he continued. “So, if there’s anything to learn that I could pick up, I apply it and also from the things that I’ve learned through the years, I also try to apply them in the process. But I always make sure that I come in free from any pre-conceived ideas about how I have to approach the role.”
For his latest MMFF film, Piolo has been doing a lot of research and watching reference videos as part of his character preparation.
“We always want to do something that is not necessarily relevant but more leaning into something more entertaining because you want the audience to pick up a thing or two from your film and learn something from it,” he told this paper on why he accepted the role.
“What’s important is you have a takeaway because otherwise, you’re not giving yourself (and) the audience that favor of learning something (from) what they watched. It’s hard to have an hour and a half or two-hour and a half sa film and you didn’t pick up anything. So, for me, it’s my responsibility and obligation to make sure na maganda yung output natin and you’re just part of a bigger role, team, so give it your best every time.”
Piolo shared in another interview that he is simply humbled to be given such a significant role and a major project. “You look back on these 10 to 20 years down the road and you realize, it’s really nice to give to people.”
He also felt “overwhelmed” by the ensemble cast he’s collaborating with in the film. The other cast members are Enrique Gil, Kiko Estrada, Cedrick Juan, Romnick Sarmenta, Joey Marquez, Dylan Menor, Ethan David, Soliman Cruz, Ariel Rivera and Paulo Angeles.
They are joined by Ashtine Olviga, Rica Peralejo-Bonifacio, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Inday Fatima and Pearl Gonzales.
“I’m a big fan of these guys. I’m a big fan of Tsong Joey Marquez. We’ve worked together so many times,” he said and added that he is also thrilled to work with Enrique. “I’m excited to work with people who are eager to give life to whatever is given them. In terms of roles, I think we’re on the same page in terms of how we wanna be able to come up with a film that would hopefully inspire the audience and you know have a discourse during the time that they watched it. Parang mabigyan natin sila ng interesting story, topic to talk about it.”
Piolo also weighed in on the public perception of Filipino policemen, sharing his personal take.
“Honestly, I don’t have any judgment. I don’t have anything to say (about) how cops are or were before and now. You’re telling a story. You can’t take sides. So, what’s important is for you to give life to the character that you’re given and make sure that the story is solid and the audience will learn something from what you’re gonna give them.”
MVP Group and MediaQuest chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, who was also present at the event, hoped that “Manila’s Finest” will be a successful movie, citing its notable cast members.
“It’s an absolutely wonderful cast, so much talent in the Philippine cinema and it’s not a subject matter that’s easy to treat. I wish them well,” he said.
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