Flying back to the country last weekend to help promote his latest film Fatherland, actor Inigo Pascual was all smiles greeting fans and fellow actors during the celebrity premiere of the film last April 22 in Gateway cinema in Quezon City. The 27-year-old actor was also accompanied by both his parents Piolo Pascual and Donnabelle Lazaro at the event.

“I’m happy to be here. This is something that’s different from what I’ve done before. I’ve always done love teams and rom-com. I’ve never done heavy drama. This is the first time I was able to push myself into that zone, into that field and I’m relieved that I was able to work with such talented artists, such a talented director, and the whole team,” he told PUSH ABS-CBN.

READ: Sneak peek of Inigo Pascual's new Hollywood project ‘Homestead’

Inigo admitred that out of all the films he has done in the country, Fatherland is really the one that made him the most nervous to do.

“Choosing to do this was definitely a challenge for me. A personal challenge to myself. Hindi ko alam na puwede pala akong gumawa ng pelikulang ganito, something that I’m not used to making. And I’m grateful that I did it, grateful that I was able to push myself at least now I know when I’m given another opportunity to make something similar, to make something in this genre. I can say yes, let’s do it (laughs),” he recalled.

Having gained experience working internationally, the Fatherland actor shared that his previous projects abroad gave him the confidence boost he needed to take on heavy drama for the first time.

“If I’m being completely honest, I had to use that mentality to give me the confidence to jump into this project. I had to use what I had learned in the States to be more confident while working on this project. I was more nervous working on this than working on Monarch, if I’m being honest. Because this really required a lot from me. I had to push myself, especially towards the latter part of the movie. I had to do things that I have never done as an actor. As in nasa set ako, sabi ko ito na yun ah, ito na yung eksenang ito, kaya ko ‘to!’ And then I just go for it.

"Kasi yung mga ka-eksena ko, Max Eigenmann, Allen Dizon, Angel Aquino, Cherry Pie PIcache, Mercedes Cabral, everyone is on their A game and I noticed while working on this set, no one asks for actor’s cue. Walang nag-a-actor’s cue! Ako, kinakabahan ako. Kailangan ko ng actor’s cue (laughs). Sabi ko hindi ko kaya. I can’t just turn it on like the way they do. And that’s something that I was able to witness and observe and it kind of gave me this sense of confidence na I should try to do something like that, to try and push myself beyond my comfort zone,” he admitted.

He also asked audiences to support the movie and his foray into heavy drama. 

"Sana suportahan niyo ang bagong pelikula namin, ang Fatherland. It is out now. Binigay namin ang lahat lahat para sa pelikulang ito. Pinagpaguran namin ito. Sana magustuhan niyo, sana maka-relate kayo, at kung may makaka-relate, I hope that this movie brings you peace and joy. Sana mag-heal yung ano mang nasa puso niyo and invite your family and friends to go with you, yung barkada niyo. Thank you so much."

READ: Inigo Pascual Recounts His Experience Auditioning For 'Monarch'

Inigo made his Hollywood debut two years ago in the Fox series Monarch which also starred Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon. Last December, he was in the apocalyptic thriller Homestead along with  Filipino-American actor Mark Labella.

Fatherland is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Written by Roy Iglesias and directed by Joel Lamangan.