It’s been years since the 2016 Filipino drama film Ma’ Rosa won Best Actress for the late veteran actress Jaclyn Jose at the Cannes Film Festival. One of its cast members, actor Jomari Angeles, recalled how being part of the film was a significant moment in his career.

In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN at the Shakey's 50th anniversary celebration, Jomari admitted that the break was both a huge opportunity and a challenging experience for him.

"Hindi lahat ng artista nakakapunta doon kahit na gano'n kakasikat. Hindi mo basta-basta lang makakalakad sa Cannes Film Festival. Kasi it's very hard to enter that competition. Lalo na kami makapasok hindi naman sa pagmamayabang po, pero yung film po namin with Direk Brillante Mendoza, part po kami ng main competition, which is so much harder po na makapasok. Historical moment na na-witness ko live," Jomari recalled.

In the film, Jomari portrayed Erwin, one of Jaclyn Jose’s children, who resorted to desperate measures, including selling his body and soul, to free his mother from detention.

The young actor shared how he trusted their director for his mature scene with actor Allan Paule, which the story required.

"Nasabihan na po ako ni Direk Brillante na meron akong mature scene. Pero at that time, I just trusted him. Tapos, hello, baguhan ako. Noong time na yun, Brillante Mendoza yun.

"And kumbaga, noong nag-start ako sa acting, idol na idol ko si Coco Martin, nagsimula si Coco Martin kay Brillante Mendoza,” he explained.

He continued, sharing that his performance in Ma’ Rosa opened doors to many bigger opportunities, including landing roles in various television series.

"Sabi ko, gagawin ko na lang yung best ko dito. Kasi alam ko at that time, na malaking opportunity yun for me. Kahit na hindi naman namin alam na makakapasok yun sa Cannes and all, na makakapag-TV ako dahil doon, nagtiwala na lang po ako,” Jomari said.

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The actor-turned-content creator admitted that the production handled the filming of the scenes with care, ensuring everyone felt comfortable during the process.

"Noong sinu-shoot namin yung intimate scene doon sa Ma' Rosa, ang ginawa rin pala namin is pinakonti yung set, tao sa set, as in si Direk Brillante lang, the DOP, yun lang yung tao sa set nun. So parang mas comfortable din ako nun and yung kaeksena ko,” he revealed.

Jomari, who was handpicked for the role after showing potential in an actors' workshop, also recalled how filming Ma' Rosa was different from other projects.

"Noong time na yun, wala akong alam sa buong story. So scene by scene namin siya ginagawa. Before a scene, i-explain lang sa akin nung AD, yung assistant director, o ganito mangyayari.

"Ikaw na bahala dyan. Parang ganun, ito kailangan mo lang sabihin na kailangan mo ng 500 pesos. I-ganun lang. So more on improvisation talaga pag si Brillante Mendoza. So kailangan just be present, be in the moment, listen to your co-actors,” he shared.

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Eventually, Jomari became part of ABS-CBN teleseryes, including the 2016 drama Magpahanggang Wakas, which starred Jericho Rosales.

"Medyo na-overwhelm ako sa totoo lang and parang na-pressure din ako. Lalo na yung first taping day ng Magpahanggang Wakas. Kasi, alam mo yun, bagito ka pa, bata ka pa talaga. Tapos yung mga kasama mo sa set, mga batikang artista na yun. Idol na idol ko si Jericho Rosales. Tapos, kuya ko siya dito. Parang, kasama ko sa set. Parang, thankfully, yung director namin noon, very helpful sa akin. Hindi nila ako parang minaliit. Tinulungan nila ako,” Jomari said.

Jomari, who dreams of working with Kapamilya actress Maris Racal, admitted that he still misses acting in a series and remains open to returning to television, given the right project.

"Sa totoo lang, passion ko talaga acting. Yun talaga yung gusto kong gawin. Pero kasi, ano ko ba sabihin na, magaganda kasi yung opportunities na dumadating sa akin ngayon with content creation. Kaya nagpo-focus ako dito. Pero right now, pag may inquiry po sa akin, pinipili ko na lang po kung feeling ko worth it to na project,” he mentioned.