Actors Derrick Monasterio, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Mark Neumann cherish performing in the Kadaugan Sa Mactan 2019. |Gerard Vincent Francisco
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Grateful and honored.
This was how celebrities Derrick Monasterio, Myrtle Sarrosa, and Mark Neumann felt after performing the Kadaugan sa Mactan (Victory of Mactan) Re-enactment 2019 at the Mactan Liberty Shrine in Barangay Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City on April 27, Saturday.
Monasterio, Sarrosa, and Neumann who played the characters of Datu Lapu-Lapu, Reyna Bulakna, and Ferdinand Magellan, respectively, shared their experiences in a quick press conference held at the One Pacific Residence after their 40-minute performance.
“It was a fun experience not just to entertain the crowd but to re-enact a famous history in the Philippines. Maganda siyang gawin. Nakakatuwa kasi colorful yung costume,” Monasterio said.
(It was a fun experience not just to entertain the crowd but to re-enact a famous history in the Philippines. It was a nice thing to do. I like the costume. It is colorful.)
The 23-year-old Kapuso actor was clad in a red and gold Pintados-inspired costume.
It was easy for him to embrace his role since he learned the story of Datu Lapu-Lapu who killed Ferdinand Magellan back in school.
But he also admitted it was challenging for them to memorize the execution of the performance since they only had two hours to practice last Friday night.
Read more: PHOTO GALLERY: Scenes at the Kadaugan sa Mactan 2019 festivities
Monasterio, who is currently connected with GMA Network, is known for several television series like “Inday Will Always Love You” (2018) and “Mulawin Versus Ravena” (2017).
He also starred in the film, “Wild and Free” in 2018 with Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez under Regal Films.
For Sarrosa, she learned about the story of Reyna Bulakna from her Cebuano friends.
“Most of the books we read, hindi masyado sine-celebrate yung women. I am glad that for this year’s presentation, mas binigyan din ng focus yung reyna. She also played a big role to Lapu-Lapu, encouraging him. Tapos lalo na sa mga women who were victimized by rape, mga villagers na nasunugan how she was a big help noong wala si Lapu-Lapu,” she added.
(Most of the books we read, it was not focused on women. I am glad that for this year’s presentation, the role of Reyna Bulakna was also given attention. She also played a big role to Lapu-Lapu, as she encouraged him to fight. She was also a big help to rape victims and to those whose houses were burned by the Spaniards especially at the time when Lapu-Lapu was not around.)
Sarrosa was happy that she was chosen to play as Reyna Bulakna this year.
“To play the role of Reyna Bulakna, para sa akin grateful din ako kasi alam ko every year pinagpipilian talaga yung bawat artists na kukunin to portray the role na it made a mark in the Philippine history,” she said.
(I am so grateful to play the role of Reyna Bulakna. I know that every year, they choose the artists who will portray the characters of this part of Philippine history)
Sarrosa rose to fame when she was hailed as the grand winner in ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition Season 4 in 2012.
She is also a popular cosplayer in the Philippines.
Neumann, for his part, had to research and learn about Ferdinand Magellan for him to play his character well.
His sister, who is fluent in speaking Spanish, has also helped him to deliver his lines using the Spanish language.
“It was really exciting for me portraying Ferdinand Magellan wearing an armor kahit props lang (even if it is just a props),” the Kapamilya actor said.
The Filipino-Croatian actor revealed that he had been fascinated with war stories and history.
“For me it is such a thrill. I am honored to be performing on the ground where the blood was spilled from both sides, the Spaniards and the natives,” he said.
Neumann was first discovered in Artista Academy, a talent search in TV5 Network in 2012 but eventually transferred in ABS-CBN in 2017.
He was one of the Moonchasers in the series, “La Luna Sangre” headlined by Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. /dbs