MANILA, Philippines – For Rocco Nacino, landing the role of Aquil in Encantadia is dream come true, saying he always wanted to do action.

“Mas excited ako because I get to do what I love – martial arts and mababahagi ko yung kaalaman ko,” he told reporters during the grand press conference, Wednesday, July 13.

(I’m very excited because I get to do what I love – martial arts and I get to share what I know.)

In Encantadia, Aquil is the captain of Lireo’s army, often accompanied by his friend and second-in-command Muros, played by Carlo Gonzalez. 

According to Rocco, viewers will still see Aquil as the loyal soldier, but they will also see a different side of him.

“Maybe from the fight scenes, you’ll see how determined he is to protect everyone – the sang’gres, lalo na yung (especially the) kingdom ng Lireo. Talagang (Really) you’ll see [that] he’ll fight to death talaga,” he said.

Alfred Vargas’ blessing, tandem with Sanya

Rocco also said that he was flattered and honored that Alfred Vargas, who played the original Aquil, said that he is one of the few actors he saw who could give the role justice. (READ: Alfred Vargas on ‘Encantadia’ reboot, public service)

In an interview last May, Alfred said, “I think he’s very deserving. And actually, isa siya sa mga first choices ko (he’s one of my first choices). And I think Rocco deserves it and siguro (maybe) for me lang, in a way I see myself in him when I was still starting up. And I think he’s perfect for the role of Aquil.”

Alfred is now the Representative for the 5th district of Quezon City.

“I’m just happy that he knows me. Alam mo iyon (You know), I’ve been trying so many years to make my mark in this business. And for someone to actually even remember my name and know what I can do, it’s a huge honor,” he said.

“I don’t know how to reach out to him but Sir Alfred, sana matanggap mo ito (I hope you get this.) Thank you, thank you so much for believing in me and sana matuwa ka sana sa paganap bilang (I hope you’ll be happy with my portrayal of) Aquil.”

In the original show, Aquil falls in love with Danaya, the youngest among the sang’gres. Played by newcomer Sanya Lopez, Rocco said that he has established a good friendship with his on-screen partner.

“We’ve really established a good and deep friendship and it’s nice that nagtutulungan kami (we’re helping each other) for this project,” Rocco said of Sanya.

“For our loveteam and for someone who has been in the business for more like 6 years, [I said] lahat ng alam ko, I’m gonna look out for you, so tutulungan kita in whatever way I can – in acting, with fight scenes. Sabi ko tututukan kita (I said I’ll look out for her).”

Rocco also said that the story will be different this time with how Aquil and Danaya fell in love. Although he did not reveal it, Rocco said it will “be very different.” 

When asked to comment about Sanya’s comment that she would stare at him during training, Rocco joked: “Bibigyan ko siya ng picture para titigan pa niya.” (I’ll give her a picture so she can look at it even more.)

As the show finally premiered on July 18, Rocco said that he, like the cast, was very excited.

“It felt surreal talaga doing this, I always wanted to do a fantaserye. I always wanted to do action. Finally, GMA has given this to me and I felt that everyone else was happy for me to be Aquil when I went out and I did something and everyone shouted. Ramdam na ramdam ko yung pagiging (I really felt being) Aquil,” he said – Rappler.com