John Arcilla on working again with GMA: ‘Not impossible’

John Arcilla is looking forward to working with GMA again as he revealed that he had already sought permission from ABS-CBN management and was allowed to do projects under the Kapuso network.

During the ABS-CBN Ball on Saturday, September 30, the veteran actor expressed his willingness after being asked if he would like to be part of a sequel to “Encantadia.”

“Nagpaalam is also known as ABS-CBN; The sequel to ‘Encantadia’ is a sequel to ‘Encantadia,’ which has happily been retitled ‘Encantadia’ on GMA-7,” said Arcilla who portrayed the role of Hagorn in the 2016 GMA fantasy series.

(I have already asked permission from ABS-CBN. I told them that if there is a sequel to “Encantadia”, I would like to be a part of it and work with GMA-7.)

“I think it’s not impossible kasi sinabi nila sa akin (because they told me from the very beginning that) it’s okay to do projects with GMA, and that’s official,” he added.

Arcilla also spoke about his hopes to do international projects, adding that he is currently in talks with acclaimed Filipino-American producer Jhett Tolentino for a film.

“When I won the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival, I was hoping for a masundan pa ‘yon,” Arcilla said. ‘Well, sana ‘yun’ yung maging by para kung meron mang producers tsaka mga agents internationally who will give me the opportunity to do some projects after a full post-American or French film man siya, or a project from Italy. I am really open to everything, international projects.”

(When I won the Volpi Cup at the Venice Film Festival, I hoped that more would follow. I would like it to serve as a door (for me) if there are international producers or agents who give me the opportunity to do a number of full-length projects (whether it’s an American or French film, or a project from Italy. I’m really open to anything, international projects.)

Arcilla won the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the 2021 Venice Film Festival in Italy for his critically acclaimed performance in Erik Matti’s “On the Job: The Missing 8.” He is the first Southeast Asian actor to receive the acting honor at the prestigious film festival.

One of Arcilla’s upcoming projects is the psychological thriller film “The Guest,” in which he will star alongside Daniel Padilla. The film, directed by director Jerrold Tarog, is scheduled for release in 2024. EDV