No 'hugot' needed for Tony Labrusca in 'What You Did'

Tony Labrusca

Tony Labrusca did not find it necessary to mine from personal experience in playing Ace and Arvin in the movie "What You Did," a Sinag Maynila 2024 official entry.

"I don't know if it was the right way to do it, the right way to act," he said. "I drew more on what they were going through than mine."

In past roles, Tony revealed he had a hard time letting go of the character. There were even instances he would go home feeling depressed because that was the state of mind of the character he was playing then.

Tony with director Joan Lopez-Flores

"What You Did" director Joan Lopez-Flores, the first female full-length filmmaker for the Sinag Maynila, said that while the characters did not resonate with the actor, method acting saw him through it handsomely.

 "Thanks to the exercises we tried out, Tony was able to get into the mold believably," she said. "It's amazing how he just transforms into the characters. When I watch him, I see Arvin and Ace, not Tony."

He confessed falling in love with Ace and Arvin, and that he roots for them; especially the latter who is "trying to be a good guy but people just won't give him the chance."

"Hopefully, people who will watch 'What You Did' will find a sense of comfort as we all went through the hard times of the pandemic."

In the movie, Arvin Espiritu and Ace are two young men whose lives intersect in unexpected ways as they navigate the aftermath of severe childhood trauma and the crushing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For Arvin, the pandemic not only disrupts his long-awaited fresh start but also reignites the unresolved pain from his past, threatening to unravel his fragile sense of self. 

Meanwhile, Ace, driven by a fierce determination, seeks to rise above the challenges by creating an online persona that promises fame and fortune.

As they embark on a joint YouTube venture, the pressures of maintaining their newfound online success begin to expose the deep-seated wounds they've tried to bury. 

"What You Did" explores the devastating effects of trauma, the relentless pursuit of validation, and the harsh reality of dreams being shattered by a global crisis. As their stories unfold, Arvin and Ace must confront the secrets and choices that bind them, leading to a powerful exploration of identity, redemption, and the quest for meaning in a world turned upside down.

Sinag Maynila 2024 filmfest runs from Sept. 4 to 10 in select cinemas.