"A Breath of Fresh Air"—'Incognito' Takes Actor Daniel Padilla to New Heights | ABS-CBN
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"A Breath of Fresh Air"—'Incognito' Takes Actor Daniel Padilla to New Heights
"A Breath of Fresh Air"—'Incognito' Takes Actor Daniel Padilla to New Heights
Grace Libero
Published Jan 24, 2025 05:30 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 24, 2025 06:12 PM PHT
Daniel Padilla | Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands
Daniel Padilla | Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for BrandsSomething new and exciting for the new year: that’s what Daniel Padilla got with his latest series, Incognito. “It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said, emphasizing how thrilled he was with this opportunity—from the moment it was pitched to him to when they started training to the actual filming in scenic places.
Something new and exciting for the new year: that’s what Daniel Padilla got with his latest series, Incognito. “It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said, emphasizing how thrilled he was with this opportunity—from the moment it was pitched to him to when they started training to the actual filming in scenic places.
Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, Star Creatives, and Studio 360, Incognito is an action-drama series about a group of private military contractors. In the trailer alone, where Daniel is seen in an intense fight scene inside a train, it is clear he’s a perfect fit for this project.
Produced by ABS-CBN Studios, Star Creatives, and Studio 360, Incognito is an action-drama series about a group of private military contractors. In the trailer alone, where Daniel is seen in an intense fight scene inside a train, it is clear he’s a perfect fit for this project.
At this point in Daniel’s career, he chooses projects based on the concept and the people he will work with. It’s important to him that they’re on the same page on the vision. With Incognito, he found the right collaborators, starting with director Lester Pimentel Ong whom he worked with in the 2017 series La Luna Sangre and who’s truly an expert in the action genre.
At this point in Daniel’s career, he chooses projects based on the concept and the people he will work with. It’s important to him that they’re on the same page on the vision. With Incognito, he found the right collaborators, starting with director Lester Pimentel Ong whom he worked with in the 2017 series La Luna Sangre and who’s truly an expert in the action genre.
“[It’s] something new… s’yempre, action naman ngayon. Something different,” Daniel said, as he ventured away from the romance-drama genre in his comeback series. The mere idea of doing action was enough to excite him, but he said it didn’t mean he agreed to do the project right away. He explained, “S’yempre marami ka pang questions. ‘Ano pa ang mangyayari?’ ‘Sino kasama mo?’ ‘Saan ito ishu-shoot?’ Kasi minsan, ang daling sabihin ’yung konsepto pero s’yempre ’pagka ginawa niyo na, pag-execute na, hindi, iba e. Pero sila Direk Lester, iba e, seryoso sila.”
“[It’s] something new… s’yempre, action naman ngayon. Something different,” Daniel said, as he ventured away from the romance-drama genre in his comeback series. The mere idea of doing action was enough to excite him, but he said it didn’t mean he agreed to do the project right away. He explained, “S’yempre marami ka pang questions. ‘Ano pa ang mangyayari?’ ‘Sino kasama mo?’ ‘Saan ito ishu-shoot?’ Kasi minsan, ang daling sabihin ’yung konsepto pero s’yempre ’pagka ginawa niyo na, pag-execute na, hindi, iba e. Pero sila Direk Lester, iba e, seryoso sila.”
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And that’s what makes it all the more meant to be because Daniel, too, is serious about elevating himself as an actor. In Incognito, he plays the role of Andres Malvar, a scout ranger with a strong sense of duty and complex personal struggles.
And that’s what makes it all the more meant to be because Daniel, too, is serious about elevating himself as an actor. In Incognito, he plays the role of Andres Malvar, a scout ranger with a strong sense of duty and complex personal struggles.
When asked about the most challenging part of portraying his character, he said it’s the fact that every scene offers a different level of difficulty, sharing, “Every shooting namin, challenging, physically [and] emotionally draining.” But every time, there’s that conscious effort to deliver quality and authenticity. “Para kaming mga tunay na sundalo kung mag-shoot,” Daniel shared matter-of-factly, giving a glimpse of how dedicated the cast and crew are to ensuring the executed scenes are at par with their standards.
When asked about the most challenging part of portraying his character, he said it’s the fact that every scene offers a different level of difficulty, sharing, “Every shooting namin, challenging, physically [and] emotionally draining.” But every time, there’s that conscious effort to deliver quality and authenticity. “Para kaming mga tunay na sundalo kung mag-shoot,” Daniel shared matter-of-factly, giving a glimpse of how dedicated the cast and crew are to ensuring the executed scenes are at par with their standards.
The goal to offer a compelling, world-class series is easier said than done. But when like-minded individuals come together, bonded by their shared vision and goals, nothing is impossible.
The goal to offer a compelling, world-class series is easier said than done. But when like-minded individuals come together, bonded by their shared vision and goals, nothing is impossible.
Some scenes in Incognito were filmed in Matera, Italy. It was Daniel’s first time there, all the more amping up his excitement for the opportunity to do a shoot abroad and, ultimately, widen his experience in acting. He talked about ensuring they maximize their time there, saying, “Wala kaming sinayang na araw. Talagang lahat ng p’wedeng makunan ngayon, kunan na natin.”
Some scenes in Incognito were filmed in Matera, Italy. It was Daniel’s first time there, all the more amping up his excitement for the opportunity to do a shoot abroad and, ultimately, widen his experience in acting. He talked about ensuring they maximize their time there, saying, “Wala kaming sinayang na araw. Talagang lahat ng p’wedeng makunan ngayon, kunan na natin.”
Daniel also shared how the whole cast gets along so well. “Laging masaya. Alam mo ’yun, seryoso kami ’pag kailangan na seryoso,” he described their set, adding that the moment their director says “cut,” they can’t avoid bursting into laughter. But this light and friendly working environment encourages collaboration and sparks passion, allowing the actors to get into their characters more smoothly.
Daniel also shared how the whole cast gets along so well. “Laging masaya. Alam mo ’yun, seryoso kami ’pag kailangan na seryoso,” he described their set, adding that the moment their director says “cut,” they can’t avoid bursting into laughter. But this light and friendly working environment encourages collaboration and sparks passion, allowing the actors to get into their characters more smoothly.
Incognito also stars Richard Gutierrez, Baron Geisler, Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, and Ian Veneracion.
Incognito also stars Richard Gutierrez, Baron Geisler, Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, and Ian Veneracion.
They work as a team on-screen, and the same applies off-screen. Oftentimes, the success of a project doesn’t lie in the concept and quality alone, it’s through the strength of each team member as well. Just like how they step up to the plate for missions in Incognito, the cast members also come and work together to achieve progress and success in this new endeavor.
They work as a team on-screen, and the same applies off-screen. Oftentimes, the success of a project doesn’t lie in the concept and quality alone, it’s through the strength of each team member as well. Just like how they step up to the plate for missions in Incognito, the cast members also come and work together to achieve progress and success in this new endeavor.
(From left) Incognito cast members Richard Gutierrez (as Jose Bonifacio), Baron Geisler (as Miguel Tecson), Ian Veneracion (as Gregorio Paterno), Anthony Jennings (as Tomas Guerrero), and Daniel Padilla (as Andres Malvar)
(From left) Incognito cast members Richard Gutierrez (as Jose Bonifacio), Baron Geisler (as Miguel Tecson), Ian Veneracion (as Gregorio Paterno), Anthony Jennings (as Tomas Guerrero), and Daniel Padilla (as Andres Malvar)Incognito is now available for streaming on Netflix and iWantTFC. Catch new episodes from Monday to Friday at 8:45 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5.
Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands
Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands
Metro Head: Christina N. Lopez
Metro Head: Christina N. Lopez
Editor-in-chief: Geolette Esguerra
Editor-in-chief: Geolette Esguerra
Sittings editors: Grace Libero-Cruz and Randz Manucom
Sittings editors: Grace Libero-Cruz and Randz Manucom
Fashion associate: Carla Buyo
Fashion associate: Carla Buyo
Creative direction by Chookie Cruz
Creative direction by Chookie Cruz
Styling by Ryan Viloria
Styling by Ryan Viloria
Grooming by Ryan Ko
Grooming by Ryan Ko
Videographer: Pat Buenaobra
Videographer: Pat Buenaobra
Interviewers: Ryan Christopher Claveria and Leigh Sofia Lazo
Interviewers: Ryan Christopher Claveria and Leigh Sofia Lazo
Shoot assistant: Princes del Corro
Shoot assistant: Princes del Corro
Shoot coordination: Noella Fonbuena and Red Dimaandal
Shoot coordination: Noella Fonbuena and Red Dimaandal
Shot on location at Ascott Bonifacio Global City
Shot on location at Ascott Bonifacio Global City
Special thanks to Star Creatives
Special thanks to Star Creatives
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