AS THE Philippine adaptation of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” draws to its final chapter, Carlo Aquino couldn’t help but get emotional while expressing his love for his co-stars and staff.
In the drama, the actor stars as Matthew “Matmat” Gonzales, the older brother of Patrick Gonzales (Joshua Garcia), diagnosed with high-functioning autism. He has an irrational fear of butterflies, which had something to do with his mother’s death. Throughout the story, Matmat has been on a journey toward conquering his fear while forging a close friendship with Mia Hernandez (Anne Curtis).
“Marami, marami pong salamat. Hindi ako sanay mag-goodbye (Thank you very much. I’m not used to goodbyes),” an emotional Aquino said during the drama’s finale media con.
“Sobrang mahal na mahal ko ‘tong kasing mga ‘to. Sobrang mahal ko ang show na ‘to, pati ‘yung mga staff, crew. Sobrang laki ng binigay sa’kin ng show na ‘to. Thank you sa support kasi sinamahan niyo [ang kwento namin], and kayo din, sana nag-heal din kayo,” he continued while doing his best to control his tears.
Throughout the promotional activities for the drama, Aquino has long been vocal about his growing closeness with Garcia and Curtis beyond filming.
“Tinuring ko silang kapatid. ‘Yun talaga,” he said of how he was able to forge a working relationship with his co-leads.
Aquino was also quick to clarify that he decided to get close to Garcia and Curtis, and not because filmmaker Mae Cruz Alviar told him to.
“Noong unang beses kaming pinag-meet nina Direk Mae, nag-open up na ako sa kanila ng mga hindi ko sinasabi. Kailangan stripped-down ako so nag-open ako kay Joshua, Anne, at tinuring ko silang kapatid na iga-guide ko sila kahit may pagkukulang ako sa isip,” he said.
Aquino added that while a lot of expectations rested on his shoulders in his portrayal of Matmat, he had so much love for his character.
“Gustong-gusto ko ‘yung character kahit sobrang laki ng pressure ng binigay niya sa’kin, naniniwala ako na deserve niyang gumaling sa mga pinagdaanan niya,” he said.
The Philippine adaptation of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” is based on the 2020 K-drama of the same name starring Kim Soo-hyun, Seo Yea-ji, and Oh Jung-se.
It also stars Maricel Laxa, Agot Isidro, Michael De Mesa, Rio Locsin, Enchong Dee, Kaori Oinuma, Xyriel Manabat, Louise Abuel, Bianca de Vera, and Francis Magundayao. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
