FRESH: Rex Lantano: Bida sa "LOCKDOWN" film

Rex Lantano for What Home feels Like

Newbie actor Rex Lantano considers it a big opportunity to have been the chance to work with seasoned actors Bembol Roco and Irma Adlawan in What Home Feels Like, an entry to the 2nd ToFarm Festival three years ago. It was his first major movie role.

Rex is not exactly a tyro in acting as he has appeared in several TV dramas like MMK and teleseryes, and has acted opposite Cong. Vilma Santos-Recto in the award-winning film Ekstra.

It had been Rex’s dream to become an actor and he didn’t starting it out by doing small roles in TV shows and movies. He concedes he still has a lot to learn as an actor and has equipped himself by attending acting workshops to hone his craft

“I enjoy acting a lot, especially here in What Home Feels Like. Direk Joseph Abella is open to suggestions so I really asked how he wants me to attack my role. I am very happy I had the chance to explore my role,” he said.

Rex is in his senior year at the Far Eastern University where he is taking up Mass Communications. “I am willing to try different kinds of roles,” he said. “I want to be known as a versatile actor.”

Part din siya ng Culion, one of the entries sa Metro Manila Film Festival 2019.
At present he is revising and improving the script for a short film that he wrote and is directing as a requirement for graduation at the Far Eastern University where he is taking up BA in Communications.

It’s about LOCKDOWN na nakuha ko that time sa isang balita from China. Ginawa ko ang setting is sa maliit na baryo sa ilocos, and boom! Eto nangyayari na rin talaga sa atin."

Playing the lead in the film is Angeli Bayani. Noong time na kausap ni Rex si Ms. Angeli tungkol sa script ay tiyempo naman na nag-a-announce si Presidente Duterte ng total lockdown sa NCR.
“Sabi nga ni Ms, Angeli, nakakaloka ang nangyayari sa atin kasi katulad ito ng script na isinulat ko,”kwento ni Rex.

Actor and future scriptwriter

Hindi nga natuloy ang shoot nila sa Ilocos Sur last March 15 and 16 dahil sa lockdown. Pero sabi ni Rex na baka blessing in disguise ang nangyari. Nag-apply siya sa Online Scriptwriting Workshop ni Ricky Lee at siya ay natanggap.

“Said opportunity will give me the chance to write a better script. I am sure marami akong matutunan sa workshop.”

Bukod sa di natuloy ang shoot niya sa Ilocos Sur, na reschedule din ang taping niya for Maalaala Mo Kaya

Dahlil sa lockdown, Rex was able to spend more time with this family. Pero once the lockdown is lifted, babalik siya sa dorm to prepare for graduation unless the Commission on Higher Education decides to extend the school year.

How has this lockdown affected you in a major way?

“Na i-appreciate lahat ng bagay. Dahil pwede pala talagang mangyari ito. Kayang bawiin ang lahat sa iyo sa isang iglap lang,” said Rex.