The secret to Daniel Matsunaga’s credibility
Daniel Matsunaga is easily one of the more credible actors we have today.
Daniel Matsunaga is easily one of the more credible actors we have today.
He finds ways to effectively deliver on screen what his director wants him to portray. He makes that happen simply because he loves what he does and he works hard to better himself in this craft. On top of that, this all-around nice guy easily makes friends and we know that his natural sincerity makes it happen for him – whether he is in front of the camera or not. Daniel becomes a favorite not only of his audience but also of his co-workers.
Daniel’s latest project is OctoArts Films’ offering on what is being touted a mini-scream festival on Nov. 1, “Spirit Of The Glass 2: The Haunted,” where he portrays the role of Cristine Reyes’s leading man. Written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes, the new movie boasts of an all-star cast including Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 2016 Maxine Medina, TV host and model Ashley Ortega, Benjamin Alves, Enrico Cuenca, Janine Gutierrez, Dominic Roque, Teri Malvar, and Aaron Villaflor.
Daniel’s character, Enzo, provides the proper balance to Cristine’s role of Bea in the sequel of the highly-successful thriller first shown during Metro Manila Film Festival 2004, “Spirit Of The Glass.” The sequel’s playdate is on the scariest day of the year, Nov. 1.
This is Daniel’s first horror movie and he has no qualms saying he believes that there are indeed spirits roaming around, only he doesn’t want to participate in any activity to bring them out, like what their roles here in the movie did.
He said, “In one of the haunted houses we shot on location for this movie, there was one in Bulacan that really made me feel queasy. When I spoke to the ‘manang’ in that house, she confirmed to me that indeed, they always hear someone taking a shower inside the quarters that was assigned to me for a dressing room. I know what I know now, so I will not be a party to anything that will ask these spirits to manifest themselves in this world,” he added.
Daniel is quite busy with movies this year, in fact “Spririt Of The Glass 2” will be his third already. He also has “Fallback” with Rhian Ramos and Zanjoe Marudo, a comedy-romance film; and for an entry to the 2017 MMFF, Daniel is part of “Meant To Beh” cast with Vic Sotto and Dawn Zulueta.
The actor told us he loves the Philippines like his second home. “I’m already settled here and I feel I am already stable. Aside from acting, I have several businesses (restaurants he partners with other personalities are National Diner, Sobremesa and Healthy House). My sister Vanessa is married to a Filipino and they are raising their family here. My Mom visits us here and she stays longer so we don’t get to miss her a lot. I am happy with the ways things are,” he said.
In the love life department, Daniel says he is taking things slow a bit this time. “I’m happy and focused on my career now. I’m thankful to God for all the blessings. And on the matter of my personal life, I am again putting that in God’s hands. I am already 28 and I know that it takes time to meet somebody special. I am not after a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship anymore. I am really looking for that someone whom I can share my life with and raise a family with her. So, I will wait patiently on the Lord for this person to come,” he said.
Daniel takes his Christianity seriously. He told us, “I put God at the center of everything in my life. Before I even decide on anything, I pray hard about it. I ask God to grant me the wisdom to see if it’s the right thing to do.”
That’s why when he finds himself at the center of any controversy, Daniel confesses that he doesn’t really get affected so much anymore. “In fact I think controversies make me a better person. There are people who would really want to put us down, but I just pray for them. God knows my heart and he knows the truth about me. He will judge me based on the truth that he sees in me,” he ends.
••• ‘Seven Sundays’ a ‘no-acting’ acting piece
We found time to watch “Seven Sundays” last Monday and we came to understand why the movie is victorious both commercially and critically.
The cast’s performance was superb. Each of them – Aga Muhlach, Dingdong Dantes, Enrique Gil, Cristine Reyes, Ronaldo Valdez and even Ketchup Eusebio – were very credible in their acting. They were all very natural. It was what I call a “no-acting” acting piece that didn’t manipulate its audience to shed tears. Most of the tear-jerking scenes were on a cliffhanger. The attack was subtle but it didn’t diminish the effect on the audience. These struck a chord in the heart and the blow was felt at the soul. It was beautifully done.
Aga chose his comeback movie brilliantly. The story is simple and real. His role was perfect for him and many times, we saw a glimpse of this great actor we missed in and around the scenes. This movie is important and Aga’s participation in it sealed the deal.
But to give credit where credit is due, Dingdong Dantes pulled away from them all to deliver a most heart-wrenching monologue that pierced through the soul. His delivery was precise, the acting was perfect and he successfully led the audience to a gamut of emotions that is raw and real.
In that major confrontation scene, we saw Dingdong as the finest actor of his generation. He deserves an award for it.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this film.