Does Rocco feel pressured because of awards?

Rocco Nacino recently scored a double victory for his role in the 2011 independent film “Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa.” The Kapuso star won the New Movie Actor of the Year award at the 28th Star Awards for Movies and the Breakthrough Performance of the Year trophy at the 9th Golden Screen Awards for Movies.

Is the 25-year-old actor prepared for the pressure and the expectations that accompany these awards?

“Syempre, yung pagtanggap ng mga ganitong klaseng parangal, may mga consequences which I gladly accept. This comes as a challenge to maintain yung nagagawa ko,” Rocco told members of the press in an interview. “Ang kailangani-maintain yung attitude ko and remain grounded to accomplish goal, to excel in my craft.”

The star of the GMA-7 show “The Good Daughter” added, “To be in your second year in the business and tanggap mo itong ganitong award, it makes me what to work again. Kung pwede ngayon, magtrabaho na.”

More than the pressure, Rocco said he feels humbled and motivated by the awards he received last month. Among the nominees at the recently-concluded Star Awards and Golden Screen Awards for movie, it was only he and Aga Muhlach (for the best actor category for “In The Name of Love”) who managed to get consecutive wins.

“Lalo kong naa-appreciate yung thought na mahilig talaga akong umarte and talagang gagalingan ko pa lalo,” Rocco said. “I want to be able to give what the audience wants.”

Smaller roles

Now that he can be billed as an “award-winning actor,” will Rocco be willing to accept small roles for movies and television shows?

The Starstruck V alumnus said it’s not even a slightest issue for him.

“Kahit gaano kaliit yan, gagawin ko pa rin. And I want to give back to the people who made this happen for me. At syempre, I want to give back sa mga taong naniwala sa akin,” he explained. “Kahit gaano kaliit yan, gusto kong gawin pa rin yan.”

After starring in the 2011 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “My Househusband,” Rocco returns to the indie scene via “Lam-Ang.” He plays the title role in the movie opposite Rochelle Pangilinan.

Rocco admits there is pressure to prove he is as good as people think he is.

“I don’t know kung magiging good or bad para sa akin ito. Pero para sa Lam-Ang, I think magiging perfectionist ako,” he shared. “I want everything to go right.”

By Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom