Jet Alcantara’s Passion for Ilonggo Filmmaking

There’s no holding back for 30-year-old Jet Alcantara as an actor and passionate artist. Having been part of the fashion modeling and independent filmmaking industry in the country for almost a decade, he is still striving to improve, explore and reach out for excellence, a dream he has put himself wholeheartedly. Aside from his modeling and film career, he holds a degree in Adult Psychology at Penn Foster Academe. At present, he is employed as Executive Creative Consultant for COMGUILD Inc. in Manila. This year when Palanca award-winning Ilonggo writer, producer and debuting film director, Peter Solis Nery saw his extraordinary photos in facebook, he immediately offered Jet the role of the mysterious “Emilio” in his debut full-length movie “Gugma sa Panahon Sang Bakunawa.” The movie was an official entry to the Sineng Pambansa National Film Competition last June 29-July 3 at Davao City, co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines and recently recommended for the Thessaloniki Film Festival in Greece.

Since he started doing independent films, Jet realized that it gave him the freedom to explore, imagine, and embrace uncertainties. He wants to learn more and continue to grow as an artist. He is currently part of TV5’s “Valiente” TV series and doing photography modeling on the other side. His motto in life was inspired by Greek philosopher Aristotle that says-- “we are what we repeatedly do.”

“When director Nery offered me the role and let me read the script, I was impressed because of its powerful storyline done by a magnificent writer,” he said. He also describes Nery as encouraging, generous and easy to work with as a director. When asked about what makes his role in the movie special, he said that it is a unique take on mythology, love story and aura of mystery. For him, Emilio is a challenging role to play since he has to be seductive and sensual. So we asked him if how far did he gave and showed in the movie, he just smiled and said “just try to see the movie and you’ll know what I mean.”

When asked about why he decided to be part a part of an Ilonggo film though he is a Manileňo, Jet said: “I want to be a versatile actor and being versatile you have to try different things. For this movie, I expect our performance to be international standard when it comes to acting.”

“If there are other roles that I wanted to play someday, I would like to be a painter,” Jet said who enjoys listening to music, painting, writing and watching art films as hobby. In shooting the movie ‘Bakunawa,” he said that he truly enjoyed the beach scenes in Guimaras, experience the unique festival sight done in Dumangas, proved that Ilonggos especially the ‘Dumangasnon’ are fun to be with and of course, he will keep coming back for the Ilonggo food served during the shoot.
Before we ended our conversation, he has this important advice for those who are aspiring to pursue modeling and film acting someday: “always make sure to have fun, love your craft, go for your dreams and never hold back.” Surely, he is an extraordinary actor with so much passion for his chosen craft. “Gugma sa Panahon Sang Bakunawa” is scheduled for Gala Premiere at CAP Auditorium on August 26 with two screening schedule 4-6PM and 6-8PM. For tickets, contact 09184822338 or check www.facebook.com/loveinthetimeofthebacunaua.