Alfred Vargas clarifies his Cinemalaya movie does not aim to promote a culture of violence
For actor turned public servant Alfred Vargas, the movie “Ang Guro Kong Hindi Marunong Magbasa” holds a very special spot in his heart.
“Sabi ko kasi, kung magbabalik-pelikula man ako kung hindi sa mainstream, sa Cinemalaya. Now I’m back at happy ako na sa Cinemalaya ang comeback vehicle ko,” he said.
In an interview with PSR, Alfred admitted that he really missed acting.
“Na-miss ko talaga ang acting. Advocacy ko rin itong pelikula because it is something very close to my heart. Every child kasi has the right to a decent education…at matutupad lamang nila ang kanilang mga pangarap kung pagbubutihin nila ang kanilang pag-aaral. Mayaman ka man o mahirap, hindi dapat na maging hadlang ang estado mo sa pag-abot mo ng iyong mga pangarap,” he pointed out.
This is not the first time Alfred did a movie for Cinemalaya. He did four others in the past: Kolorum, Teorya, Ang Paglilitis ni Andres Bonifacio and Separados.
The Congressman of the fifth District of Quezon City is also a college degree holder.
Prior to joining showbusiness in 2002, he graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in Management Economics.
As a congressman, he is the author of most bills that promote education particularly House Bill 3398 which aims to give children with special needs (CSN) access to special education as also embodied in the Magna Carta of Persons with Disabilities and in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
In “Ang Guro Kong Hindi Marunong Magbasa,” he plays the role of Aquil, a farmer who does not know how to read but makes a way to become a teacher to child warriors in his desire to guide them.
Aquil is also the name of his character in the original fantasy series “Encantadia” in 2005, but he said any similarity is not intended because they are two different characters.
For Alfred, working with award-winning actors like Marc Justine “MJ” Alvarez (best actor in a ensemble in “Transit,”), Miggs Cuaderno (best supporting actor in “Children’s Show”), Micko B. Laurente (2016 Best Supporting actor for the 1st Tofarm filmfest entry “Pitong Kabang Palay”) at Bon Andrew Lentejas (Best Supporting actor for “Hamog” for Cinemaone Originals) is a privilege.
“Sobrang galing nilang lahat pagdating sa acting. Pag kasama mo ang mga bata sa isang project, mayroon silang magic. I’m honored to be the company of award-winning child actors,” he said.
Alfred however, clarified that the movie which also deals on child warriors does not aim to promote a culture of violence.
“Actually, gusto lang gawin ng film na ilahad ang kuwento ng katotohanan,kasi nangyayari naman talaga ito. Medyo shocking pero the film will serve as an awareness campaign para ipakita sa mga tao kung ano ang nangyayari sa far-flung areas of the country,” he concluded.
From the direction of Perry Escano, the movie also stars Loren Burgos, Leon Miguel, Lou Veloso, Mon Confiado, Kiko Matos, Ernie Garcia, Rob Sy, Tori Garcia, Garie Concepcion and a lot more.
“Ang Guro Kong Hindi Marunong Magbasa” is currently showing in CCP Theaters, Ayala Malls (Greenbelt 1, Glorietta 4, Trinoma, Fairview Terraces, UP Town Center, Solenad Nuvali, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall-Pampanga) as an official entry to the 2017 Cinemalaya.
