Indonesian actors feel at home in Manila

It may be their first time to set foot in the Philippines. But Indonesian actors Agung Saga and Marcelino Lefrandt, who are in town to promote their film, “The Witness”, already feels at home in the country.

“It doesn’t feel like I’m outside of my country... the culture is almost the same—the atmosphere, the people feel the same,” the two chorused.

Saga and Lefrandt, together with co-star Gwen Zamora appeared in GMA 7’s Eat Bulaga and Startalk on Saturday, March 17.

Saga plays Aris, a mysterious figure in the dreams of Zamora’s character, Angel. Dutch-Indonesian actor Lefrandt, on the other hand, is Detective Indra, an Indonesian member of the Interpol, in-charge of investigating the gruesome deaths of Angel’s relatives.

Lefrandt spoke highly of Gwen’s work ethic and dedication.

“She’s so amazing. She’s so adorable. [From] the first time we met, we blended. Then when I saw her work—wow—astonishing! I saw a scene which was very tiring and it was two or three in the morning and she was doing the stunts by herself. And I suggested that they give her a stunt double to replace her in the tiring and risky scenes, but they already asked her that and she just said ‘no, I want the feeling, I want the emotion there.’”

Saga, Lefrandt, Gwen and their director Muhammad Yusuf will grace the premiere night of “The Witness” on Monday, March 19 at Resorts World Cinema 4.

The movie opens in the Philippines on March 21 and in Indonesia on April 26.

By Jozza Palaganas | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom