Picture this: growing up, you knew your dad or your mom had a job. Because that’s what adults do. They work. They work to put food on the table, to send you to school, to buy you a gift on your birthday, a gift on Christmas, and if you’re lucky (or smart), a reward for good grades.

You didn’t like it. The idea of work. Especially the thought of having the same job as your parents? Nah, you wanted to be a wrestler or maybe an animal doctor because you couldn’t spell veterinarian at the time. Maybe something along the lines of a professional basketball player or a rockstar or a figure skating champion—I don’t know where that came from, but you get the drift.

Some of us, don’t want to be like our parents. Most of us, don’t even want to get into any kind of business let alone the family business. But not all of us.

Cue The Medinas.

Led by their patriarch, the esteemed and multi-award-winning actor Pen Medina, whose body of work includes Sakay (1993), the historical drama by Raymond Red, and the Marilou Diaz-Abaya masterpiece, Muro-Ami (1999), the family is a treasure trove of talent as his sons Ping Medina and Alex Medina join him on the cover of our Film Issue.

Ping has made a name for himself in both film and TV, with credentials in films like the celebrated coming-of-age queer drama Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros (2005), Transit (2013) where he played a single father working in Israel who’s been hiding his children from the Israeli immigration police, and recurring roles in popular TV shows like the long-running FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

The younger brother and rockstar (a title rightly earned as the lead singer of the rock band Alex In Wonderland) of the family, Alex enthusiastically joined his father and brother in the industry, appearing in regular TV series and films such as the blockbuster historical-epic Heneral Luna (2015), the comedy-drama Camp Sawi (2016), and the heart-wrenching indie romance-drama Tayo Sa Huling Buwan ng Taon (2019).

Get to know the men beyond the silver screen and discover more than just entertaining stories, but illuminating ones.

PEN.

What first attracted you to acting?

The license to create varied characters I couldn't be in real life, do things I couldn't and shouldn't, and the thrill of building an "inner life" [Konstantin Stanislavski] for each of these characters and finding the right externals for it: the posture, the tempo-rhythm, the voice, the character makeup, which I enjoyed very much.

How was your first performance?

Dramatic, in many ways. With only 2 hours of crash rehearsal, I gamely substituted for the main actor in "Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio" who quit on the second weekend of our run 4 hours before curtain time just to get back at his director who made life hell for him during their almost 2 months of rehearsals. And I was not even an understudy for his role. I was just helping out with the set department.

When I heard the audience sing the National Anthem to start the show, my balls were in my neck, my legs had turned to water, and an asthma-like attack was threatening [to come on]. But when I shakily set foot on the stage alone (luckily, in the dark) with a lamp in my hand and started shouting, "Pasok na kayo! Sisimulan na ang paglilitis!" to the other beggars, I felt invigorated. All fears disappeared. Instantly! "Wow, ang sarap nito. Agad-agad!" And we pulled through. The audience loved us.

If you had never gotten into acting, what do you think you’d be doing now?

Painting. My first love. Also sculpting. I started drawing horses on my father's scrap paper and cutting out paper horse figures as soon as I could handle pencils and scissors. Then crayons and watercolor when I was school-age. Then modeling clay. Not to mention the clay mud in our hometown of Arayat [Pampanga].

What’s your biggest peeve about working in the film industry?

The presence of pseudo-artists (actors, directors, writers, production designers, etc.) who don't belong there—same goes for TV, whose killer working hours have claimed lives prematurely, the latest of whom was the explorer of absurdities, long-reigning MMFF box-office king, Direk Wenn Deramas. "Queen", I imagine him correcting me.

What about your favorite part about working in the film industry?

Exploring (and just plain chatting) with real artists who love their art (and craft) and getting to go to different places and meet all sorts of characters.

Is there something you’d like to do as an actor that you haven’t done yet?

I can't think of one right now. A foreigner, maybe, who understands and speaks only his own language, in a comedy. Perhaps an Italian sewage chief, complete with a prosthetic Italian nose and dyed hair and bushy mustache, looking for a Filipino girlfriend...or boyfriend, maybe. (laughs) I don't know where that came from.

You seem to be unafraid of taking on roles. Is there a role you think you’d never do?

Ano na nga ba? A zombie? Pwede. I can't imagine (yet) myself doing those spastic movements with a matching spaced-out look in my staring eyes.

Between actors, directors, scriptwriters, and producers: who would you say has the toughest job?

Actors. We are the most visible element of a finished film. First to be scrutinized and dissected—our looks, our acting, our mannerisms, etcetera. With side comments about our love-lives, sex orientations... And we use the most vulnerable tools: our emotions, our soul.

As the patriarch of “The Medina Dynasty”, did you ever think you’d have your children following in your footsteps?

(Laughs) "Medina Dynasty." Having my children follow in my footsteps was farthest from my mind when they were growing up. I've always believed in letting kids go for their heart's desire vocation-wise.

People mostly see the glamorous side of being an actor. But what about the struggles?

I don't see them as struggles. When you like (love) what you're doing, every obstacle or setback becomes a challenge, a lesson to learn from. The trick, for me, is not to strive but to do your best and enjoy doing it.

What do you prefer doing more of: indie or mainstream?

You want me to answer this as an artist or a breadwinner? What I want more of is indie na indiegutom. Sa totoong indie, I get meatier roles. Ngayon, kung okay ang pay, the better (Kung hindi, for the soul nalang). Ang problema, may mga indie na ‘indi dapat ginawa dahil magulo ang production, malabo ang script, at mayabang ang director na ang tingin sa sarili ay "messiah" ng film industry. But shit, the word 'indie' is conducive to punning!

What do you think is the worst character trait an actor could have while working in the industry?

Having an inflated ego.

In 10 more years, what do you think the landscape of Philippine film will look like?

If I decide to make my move(s) and not just drift along, we'd see a greener, lusher landscape not only for the film industry but also for the whole Philippines! Hahaha! Watch out for the "messiah"! (Wala lang, 'masaya' lang). Shit, punning again!

If a budding actor came up to you and asked you for acting advice, what would be the first piece of advice you’d give them?

"Love the art in yourself and not yourself in the art," [by] Stanislavski.

If you were to sum up your life in a movie title, what would the title be?

"ANO NA?"

PING.

We’ve read that your start in acting was, at first, reluctant.

I was a shy and quiet 12-year-old when I did my first movie. It was a project that fell on my lap because they needed a young version of my dad. I was so nervous my dad had to bring me to some cliff so I could shout all my nervousness away.

From a firsthand perspective, what it was like to be in such a big production at such a young age?

I was never immersed in my dad's world so I didn't know what a big deal it was working with big names. But I remember Direk Marilou [Diaz-Abaya] very fondly. A kind, enthusiastic soul who was very nice to me. She always had sliced apples.

What was the first cinematic experience that actually inspired you to actively pursue acting as a passion?

I never wanted to be an actor. When I got out of college I was dabbling in many things: painting, drawing, digital photography, writing for magazines. But I was most interested in being a screenwriter. Especially when I saw Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. My mind was blown and I was in [a] state of WTF-ness for a week. Took me a while to absorb the genius of Charlie Kaufman. The whole acting thing started cause of luck—I got a breakout role in [Ang Pagdadalaga ni] Maximo Oliveros.

Out of all the films and TV shows you’ve worked on, which was the most challenging?

Etheria, a spinoff of the highly successful Encantadia. It was my baptism of fire into the showbiz world. My first TV show where a 24-hour taping day was normal. I was culture-shocked and was not adjusted yet to the long hours. Plus I had to follow up on a character made popular by my dad as his young version again. We didn’t get good ratings so we got cut short, thank god. (laughs)

And which was your favorite?

Cannibal In The Jungle. It was my first time working in a foreign production, and our director was an Emmy award winner. I learned a lot from that and I thoroughly enjoyed working in an environment with proper labor laws. Discovery Channel shows in 90 million homes worldwide, we stayed for two weeks in Palawan by the beach, so that’s not half bad, right?

More than an actor, you’re also quite the writer. What does writing allow you that acting does not?

Writing is creating something out of blank space. So it is definitely much harder. It's a very lonely job and requires a lot of time and effort. When I am acting, most days I can do my shit with my eyes closed. But my writing…I’m just starting to rediscover lately, trying to find my voice. I think I’m almost there.

Now that you’ve had experience with both, how would you compare screenwriting to acting?

Screenwriting is harder because I think most writers are underpaid. We don't get enough credit and our ideas are stolen all the time. So you really gotta be smart and careful.

What else do you hope to write?

I am developing a few things right now. CPK is already in the sequence treatment stage. It's about three people—two guys and a girl—who form a group dealing ecstasy. It's sort of a subculture film, as we're going to see how their friendships and bonds form throughout the whole ordeal. There is another one, Alessandra De Rossi approached [me] to write for her. It's about this couple—the girl turns down the guy's marriage proposal so they go home and talk/argue/whatever so we follow them inside their place until the next morning. It's a small film, a talkie. Think somewhere in the mold of Before Sunrise and 500 Days of Summer.

What’s your biggest peeve about working in the film industry?

The insanely long hours. Which leads to inefficiency because of exhaustion and lack of sleep. I really pity the production staff and crew. They are first in, last out on the set. The conditions are terrible. In light of recent high-profile names in the industry dying of cardiac arrest, I think it is time to talk about change.

What about your favorite part about the film industry?

It is so unpredictable. You never know what the project will bring for you. Always something new and exciting.

What would you say is lacking in the film industry now?

We lack workshops, schools, seminars. As professionals, we should always be learning new things from each other. And we need unions. There has to be more discussion.

What do you think is the worst character trait an actor could have while working in the industry?

Believing you own hype to the point that you’re not evolving anymore. To become a better actor, you have to evolve as a person. You need new experiences and exciting people, encounters that will blow your mind wide open. Live your life to the fullest that it translates onscreen.

As your father’s son, what was the most important piece of advice that you learned from him when it came to acting?

Always find the truth. Acting is truth. If it doesn't come from a place of truth, it’s no good. That and he used to always tell me that life is just a playground. Laro-laro lang yan. Don’t take it too seriously.

What about the most important piece of advice that you didn’t learn from him?

Two things: I met this psychic once at a party when I was starting out in the industry. The first thing he told me was that I was a lot like my dad. But I lacked one thing: angas. I was a super shy, super quiet kid who was very unsure and awkward around other people. I grew up a loner. So when he told me that, I knew he read me well cause that was exactly how I felt. So I spent most of my late twenties trying to find that angas in me. I became quite a bit of an asshole when needed. Inner asshole unlocked. Before, you'd be surprised if spoke a word—I was that kind of kid. It was a long road to enlightenment. Until a girl I was dating taught me in 2014 what must be the greatest tool I’ve ever learned: meditation. Meditation opens you up to completely different worlds—things that don’t exist in physical reality, things that science calls 'pseudo' because they can't explain in tangible terms. So yeah, angas and meditation.

ALEX.

When you were younger, what was your impression about acting, film, TV, the works?

When I was growing up I think yung showbiz was an alien thing to me. Hindi ko talaga siya ever nakita as something I would want to do when I grew older. Maybe meron akong kind of inkling that I’ll do it pero not really like solid na solid na alam [kong] gagawin ko siya pag tanda ko. It was just something dad did.

You’re more “the rockstar” particularly because you have a band of your own, but have you ever actually rebelled in your youth?

Siguro, in a way, kasi when I was growing up my dad wanted me to pursue acting, showbiz…pero ako, I was denying it, because sabi ko, “I [want] to be a rockstar, I [want] to play music, I [want] to create music…I wanted to do other things, it wasn’t really my priority to be an actor. 

We read that as a child, you first wanted to become a taxi driver. Let’s imagine for a second that you’re currently a taxi driver, who would be the top five people you’d like to drive around with?

Well, siguro si President [Barack] Obama. I’d love to get his insights about the world. He would be awesome to talk to I guess kasi ang dami na niyang pinagdaanan. Jeff Buckley would be one, he’s my idol, [my] musical idol. Robert De Niro, yeah. That’d be cool. Sino pa ba…si Anne Curtis? (laughs) Astig ‘yun. Syempre. (laughs) And…Mahatma Gandhi. Para deep din ako. (laughs) Para malaman ko yung philosophy, mga tungkol sa buhay.

Seeing that you’re also in a band, let’s hypothetically put two art forms together. If you could star in a biopic of any rockstar legend, who would you want to play and why?

Ah! I wanna play Jeff Buckley, syempre, kasi idol ko siya. I mean sa voice, sa playing, sa philosophy, sa ugali. And Rodel Naval. I think he had a very interesting life because he moved [to the States] sa latter part ng career niya and he eventually died. Pero ako, sobrang intrigued ako sa kanya eh and I love his voice, yung voice talaga.

Let’s take a peek at your music. What are you listening to right now?

Right now, siguro Issues. Any Issues song siguro, Mad At Myself. And then you’ve got Catch A Fire [album by Bob Marley]. I don’t have songs, more of kasi pag Spotify, per album eh. Wala yun lang pinapakinggan ko eh. But you know I have yung naka back-up naman syempre Deftones, you have your Incubus, syempre Jeff Buckley. I like Candiria, been listening to [them] recently. You’ve got your Franco, syempre. Queso. Third Eye Blind, yung album nilang pula yung cover. (laughs)

Despite your reluctant start in acting, you’ve clearly surpassed expectations.

Oh, did I? No, not yet.

So you still have moments of self-doubt?

Yeah, of course. You learn. There’s an uneasiness sa sarili mo, ang gagawin mo lang talaga when it comes to acting is to [not] leave any stones unturned. That’s the most uncomfortable feeling, yung nasa harapan ka ng camera and then you feel like you’re doing something wrong, it’s just because you didn’t do your research or you didn’t do your preparation properly. So that’s why you need to prepare properly.

Creatively, who influences you the most?

It’s my dad. He does influence me in so many ways; philosophy, acting—I’m not trying to emulate [him], but you know, it can’t be helped. (laughs) Anak ka ng artista so it really happens na ganun yung mangyayari. Makokopya at makokopya mo siya. Pero you know, you still upgrade on it or add additional whatever, but, as is, yung teachings ng dad ko is fine. It’ll last forever. Kung baga sakin nalang, as a creative person, may leeway ako to add something na my own signature, kung baga.

Out of all the films and TV shows you’ve worked on, which was the most challenging?

I think everything [was] a challenge most especially pag sa simula. But you know, once you get into it, okay na eh. Siguro yung Echorsis (2016) was really challenging because playing gay dun is physically exhausting—siguro ‘yun narin, pag mag se-segue ka kasi [while] I was doing Echorsis, I was doing Pangako [Sa ‘Yo].

What about your favorite?

My favorite siguro was Two Wives kasi I really had fun doing that teleserye kasi we grew as a family, until now we still talk. It’s not a perfect family you know, but it’s a really fun family. We love each other so much.

What’s one role you think you’d never do?

Conyo mayaman? (laughs) Kasi…ang hirap eh. (laughs) Pero I’d love to do that some time in the future. I mean, I’d have to practice on my English you know, like I need to get [an] accent.

You’re quite the comedian. How would you describe your humor?

It’s the Mendiola-cubicle humor. Those were my friends nung high school, barkada ko sila until now naman. It’s where I get most of my humor, I guess kung [humorous] man ako, I think important din talaga yung nature ng kinalakihan mo. And sa people narin na nakakasalamuha ko, I get attracted to funny people, I like being around them.

Do you have any peeves about working in the industry?

It’s the hours talaga. Ako, okay lang naman. But for me, pet peeve ko is, kunyare, some of the crew and staff are not treated properly kasi puyat sila. Like, first in, last out sila sa set and on top of that you still need to do pre-production so I hope they get a proper raise. Especially the veteran actors who are scared to give out cut-offs sa call time nila kasi syempre, ang hirap nun eh. No one would get them if they had strict cut-offs.

What about your favorite part?

Let’s not be hypocrites. Part of it’s ang sarap ng feeling na people get to recognize [you], pero on top of that syempre pinaka main mo talaga is when you do a scene properly, when you do every scene right. That’s the best feeling when you do it, parang, “I know I did something right”, pero hindi mo i-a-address yun pero you know [in] yourself na, “Hey, I actually did something right.” And the people—you meet people, family.

What was the most important piece of advice that you learned from your father?

Just be truthful sa acting. I think that’s the most important. There are no shortcuts, you just have to put the work into it. It’s acting, reacting—talk to the person. That’s the lifeline of movies, people talking. You have a movie na nag-uusap lang sila, nakakaaliw.

What about the most important piece of advice that you didn’t learn from him?

From myself, experience talaga is the best teacher. It’s the best talaga, walang makakatalo diyan. You’ll have to go through all of that muck and shit to get to wherever you’re supposed to be going. Suck it [up]. You’re not going to die from it, go.