Ruben Maria Soriquez enjoys his new found popularity in the Philippines
Acclaimed Italian actor Ruben Maria Soriquez does not deny the fact that his exposure as Padre Roberto Marchesa, Liza Soberano’s adoptive father in the toprating Lizquen soap “Dolce Amore” paved the way for his newfound popularity in the country.
“Some people would even call me Padre Roberto and I am flattered because they knew my character in the TV series”, shared Soriquez.
According to Soriquez, he regards his participation in “Dolce Amore” as one of the highlights of his career.
“It opened new doors for me. It honed my craft as an actor and I was able to meet new friends in the business like Liza, Enrique, Cherie, Bobot, Rio, Sunshine and a lot of more in the process… and I will forever treasure the experience of working with them”, he says.
Prior to being cast in “Dolce Amore”, Soriquez did “Of Sinners and Saints”, an entry to the Filipino New Cinema section of the 2015 World Premieres Film Festival where he won the best actor award for his sterling performance as a missionary priest.
Did winning a best actor award help you land in roles in local tinseltown?
“I guess so, because according to the producer of “Dolce Amore” when they were in searching for an Italian actor to play Padre Roberto, they came across my name in google”, he recounts.
Your film “Of Sinners and Saints” is the opening film of the 19th Cine Europa. Tell me about the movie.
“I play Father Rossellini, an Italian priest. This is my first project in the Philippines. I directed and starred in it. My role as a priest who fell in love with a battered woman is very challenging”, describes Soriquez. “Actually, there’s a similarity between the two characters that I played. Papa Roberto is more playful and joyful while Papa Rosselini is more dramatic”, he adds.
Why did you choose to film the movie in Manila?
“I think the core of the movie is the inner struggles of choosing a family: a bigger family which is God and that of a human family. I chose to set the film in a poor slum area because it is what is in the script and besides, violence against women is one of the most important subjects of the movie”.
How would you compare working with foreign actors with local ones?
“I worked with German and Italian actors in mainstream films when I was still directing, acting and producing in Europe. I find Filipino actors more passionate in their craft. With European actors, we usually have cut-offs. In case of Pinoys, they are so humble and so cooperative during the shoot and sometimes unmindful of working hours. I think, it has something to do with the the discipline that goes with the work”.
As a film director, did you observe this cut-off during the shoot of your movie?
“I tried to observe an early cut-off, like by midnight we’re almost done, although there were times when we had to stay until 2 or 3 in the morning to finish the takes. I also need to take a rest because directing and acting at the same time is quite stressful”.
“Of Sinners and Saints” also stars Chanel La Torre, Raymond Bagatsing, Polo Ravales, Althea Vega, Richard Quan, Sue Prado, Kiko Matos, Geraldine Tan and Lanie Martin Gumarang.
What are your forthcoming projects after “Of Sinners and Saints”?
“I have several scripts right now. I’m working on “Harry Father”, it’s actually a spoof of “Harry Potter” because they say I look like the actor in Harry Potter. An Italian director and a Filipino producer will direct it. It has Leo Martinez, Maria Isabel Lopez and others in the cast. It’s actually a comedy, a mix of “Harry Potter” and “Mr. Bean”.
Soriquez says, given a chance, he wants to work Liza Soberano again either as an actor or a director.
