MANILA, Philippines – Aljur Abrenica said that despite being in showbiz for a number of years, he was still hurt when people criticized his acting some time ago – and he’s worked hard to improve since.

During the press conference for the movie Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli (The Agony and Fury of Hermano Puli), in which he stars, Aljur said that due to the criticism against him, he was very emotional at the time. 

“Yes. It was really hard. Grabe, umabot pa ako sa different stages ng pagkalungkot,” Aljur said.

(Yes. It was really hard. Grabe, I went through different stages of sadness.)

“Umabot pa siya sa depression, questioning. And then hanggang napunta sa, ‘How do I deal with it?” 

(It reached the point of depression, questioning. And then it came to the question of, ‘How do I deal with it?’)

Aljur said that taking a break gave him the opportunity to assess himself. He took some time off in 2014, though he had some smaller appearances in various programs.

“It’s taking a break and analyzing things. Sinadya ko talagang magkaroon ng oras para sa sarili ko. (I really made time for myself)

“I analyzed and I traveled para makapag-isip. And then na realize ko na well, kaya nasasabi nila iyon, kasi before I didn’t understand why I was doing this. 

(I analyzed and I traveled to think. And then I realized, well, the reason they said that, because before, I didn’t understand why I was doing this.)

“When I influenced myself with films and other cultures, kulang pa ang kaalaman ko (my knowledge was not enough).

“That’s why I studied, nag-aral ako, tapos nanood ako ng history ng film, who’s the father ng acting, yung evolution ng acting sa industry,” he said.

(That’s why I studied, I studied and I observed the history of film, who’s the father of acting, the evolution of the acting industry.)

Aljur said that he considers Hollywood actor Marlon Brando one of his inspirations. He also spent time reading different biographies of other actors.

“So I put them as an inspiration, tapos from then on, nag-venture na ako sa sarili ko, [learning] from my life,” he said.

(So I put them as an inspiration, then from then on, I ventured towards myself, [learning] from my life.)

Aljur was critcized in the past for his “wooden acting,” in relation to a role he played in Machete 2011. Machete is a character created by Pablo Gomez, which tells the story of a carved wooden statue that comes to life.

In an interview with Pep in 2011, Aljur’s former love team partner Kris Bernal said that she was hurt by comments about his acting. 

But in a report from the Philippine Star in February, Gil Portes, director of the Hermano Puli film said that Aljur was a revelation while shooting the movie. 

“Ay, he was fantastic! I like it that he was insecure, that’s why he delivered. When you are not that confident, magtatanong ka (you’ll ask). Hihingi ka ng (You will ask for a) take 2, take 3. He kept on asking for suggestions. He did a thorough research. He visited the places where Hermano Puli was born and grew up,” he said. 

‘Hermano Puli’

After his time off, the opportunity to do Hermano Puli came and Aljur took a leap. He said he made use of all his learnings in doing the movie.

“When this film came, na sakto nga. Sakto itong pelikulang ito. Ginawa ko na yung mga alam ko pwedeng gawin para mapaganda ang pelikula,” he said.

(When this film came, it was at the right time. This move was just right. I made use of everything I knew just to make this film beautiful.)

When asked if he was happy with the performance he gave, Aljur said he gave his best. What matters for him now is that the movie gets the proper recognition it deserves.  

“From all the films na ginawa ko, sa lahat ng projects na ginawa ko, I’m always giving my best. Kahit dati pa na kini-criticize tayo.

(From all the films I made, all the projects I made, I’m always giving my best. Even before when they would criticize me.)

“It’s just that, at that time, hindi lang aware pa sa industry. (I was not as aware of the industry.)

“And I’m very thankful sa mga taong nakapaligid sa akin na nagga-guide sa atin,” he said of the cast and crew he made friends with.

(And I’m very thankful with the people around me who guided me.)

Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli is based on the story of man name Apolinario dela Cruz from Quezon, who founded a group called the Cofradia de San Jose and was accused of being a heretic by the Spanish colonial government.

Directed by Gil Portes, Ang Hapis at Himagsik ni Hermano Puli is scheduled for release on September 21. – Rappler.com