Filipino rapper Abra admits to drug use; stars in Cinemalaya movie
He first appeared in cameo roles in Dominic Zapata’s “Boy Pickup: The Movie” and Erik Matti’s “Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles.”
Now, the hiphop artist is debuting as a lead in “Respeto,” Treb Monteras II’s official entry to the 2017 Cinemalaya.
“I did a lot of rapping and something very, very new to me acting like crying in this movie,” he said.
Since he does not have any formal training in acting, he admitted he had a hard time doing the required dramatic scenes in his Cinemalaya starrer.
“Hindi kasi ako sanay. Just like being sad, being the cheerful and jolly person that I am. Dati kasi minsan, kailangan ko lang magpatawa. Dito kailangan kong mag-drama so, kailangang maging expressive. Iniisip ko na lang iyong mga negative na mga bagay sa akin na pinaghalo-halo ko sa utak ko kasama na ang heartbreak para maka-deliver,” he pointed out.
In the movie, he plays the role of Hendrix, a street kid who dreams of becoming a rapper.
Aware that a lot of streetwise kids idolize him and his kind of music, he said that he can easily relate to his role.
“Iyong rap kasi ang art form na kahit ano ang instrumento mo, kayang gawain ng kahit sino,” he explained.
Abra is a self-confessed fan of Eminem.
In the local music scene, he considers Francis M., Gloc9, Andrew E. and Loonie to be his musical influences.
According to Abra, his role is also relevant because it is set against the background of the country’s war on drugs.
“Batang runner ng droga ang role ko rito. Ang time frame niya ay last year na putukan ng mga tokhang, so kasabay siya noong era. Nangangarap siyang mag-rap. Kailangan niyang magkaroon ng pera para makapasok siya sa isang rap event,” he shared.
“Sa time na iyon, delikado ang mga runner dahil shoot-to-kill sila, so relevant siya,” he added.
Reflective of his struggles and confusion as a teenage boy, he admitted that he tried drugs during his pubescent years.
“Ayoko ng chemical drugs. Natikman ko na iyong iba pero not like shabu or heroine that destroys your mind, but never ko siyang naging habit. Part lang siya ng growing up kasi sa America at Canada, okey lang doon, unlike here na kailangan mo pang i-confirm sa mga roots mo,” he recalled.
He also believes that one doesn’t have to resort to drugs to enhance his creative side.
“Iyong iba, nagkakaroon ng ibang perspective pag gumagamit pero kung tunay ka namang artist, hindi mo na kailangan ang droga,” he concluded.
Written for the screen by Palanca award winning screenwriter Njel de Mesa, “Respeto” marks” marks Treb Monteras II’s directorial debut.
Produced by Monster Jimenez of Arkeo Films and Cinemalaya Foundation, the movie also stars Pinoy rap sensation Loonie.
