John Arcilla's Creative Web Portfolio
Film, TV, and Stage Actor
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John Arcilla is an award-winning international actor from the Philippines. He was the first Filipino and Southeast Asian to win the prestigious Volpi Cup at the 78th Venice Film Festival for his portrayal of the journalist, Sisoy Salas, in the HBO film, On the Job: The Missing 8 (2021).
John Arcilla ranked 8th among the 13 entertainment stars from Asia that made it into Tatler’s Asia’s Most Influential List in 2021.
Arcilla is also best known for playing the hero, Antonio Luna, in the historical film Heneral Luna (2015). In the fantasy TV series Encantadia (2016), Arcilla played the antagonist Hagorn, the ruthless king of Hathoria. In the action drama TV series, FPJ's Ang Probinsyano (2015–present), Arcilla plays one of the main villains, the vile politician Renato Hipolito.
Background
Nationality
Arcilla's clan from his mother's side is related to Manuel L. Quezon by affinity (through First Lady Aurora Aragon, the wife of Quezon).
The hometown of Arcilla's mother is also in Baler, where President Manuel L. Quezon was born. Quezon was the second president of the Philippines during the Commonwealth Period (1935–1946).
Education
- Secondary School – Mount Carmel College of Baler
- During Arcilla's high school days, he was one of the delegates for the Teatro sa Probinsiya (Theater in the Province) Workshop from the National Media Productions.
- He was also a student representative of the school’s Cultural Affairs.
Quote from the Actor
Hometown in Baler
At the height of Martial Law, our family moved from Manila to my mother’s hometown in Aurora. Aurora is a quiet province with farmland and beaches, south of Manila.
Living here gave me a memorable childhood as we also stayed in San Luis, on my grandparents’ land where my grandfather owned a coconut plantation.
Education
- As chairman of the Dulaan Kabataang Kristiyano (Christian Youth Theater) based in the San Luis Obispo de Tolosa Parish (Baler Church), the young Arcilla gave echo seminars in theater arts. He initiated the task of doing skits or short plays where they role-played the theme of the Sunday Mass and performed it before the Homily.
- Arcilla also served as the Baler provincial coordinator of the Dulaan Kabataang Kristiyano of the community-based Philippine Educational Theater Association-Manila Teen Theater League (PETA-MTTL).
Education
- BA Mass Communications, major in Screenplay Writing and elective in Psychology - St. Joseph's College, Quezon City
- Assistant to the School Theater Coordinator.
- Member of the community-based Philippine Educational Theater Association-Manila Teen Theater League (PETA-MTTL).
- In college, Arcilla received a Grant in Aid scholarship. Aside from maintaining a quota grade as a full scholar, Arcilla worked as an assistant to the theater coordinator.
Quote from the Actor
As a College Scholar
I have to keep good grades. I also need to be a working student as a full college scholar with a dormitory privilege. I worked as an assistant to the theater coordinator.
Here, I had the opportunity to assist in giving Theater Arts workshops to the adopted communities of my alma mater.
Education
- Arcilla became an acting scholar of the Actors Workshop Foundation from 1987–1989 (under notable director-actors Laurice Guillen, Johnny Delgado, and Leo Martinez).
- After a rigid audition, Arcilla got the scholarship for his impressive acting. Arcilla was one of the pioneer recipients of the program. Arcilla received an elaborate workshop rooted from Stanislavski’s Method of Acting.
Quote from the Actor
Theater Experience in College
In my spare time after my (acting) school, I join independent theater productions travelling around Manila and provincial universities. Here, I was able to play Bonifacio in Anak ng Bayan and as Aguinaldo in Huling Gabi sa Maragondon and many more.
With my acting scholarship, I started receiving acting stints and bit roles in gag and drama TV shows.
Early Theater Career
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)
Arcilla started with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), a community theater, during his last years from high school to college (1983–1987).
Dulaang UP
Later, Arcilla joined Dulaang UP through the respectable stage director Tony Mabesa.
Early Theater Career
Tanghalang Pilipino
After passing a rigid audition from the Actors Company (Tanghalang Pilipino) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Arcilla became a senior company member (1991), which honed him to become a prolific musical theater artist and stage actor.
Arcilla worked with Tanghalang Pilipino from the fourth to thirteenth season.
Quote from the Actor
As a Stage Actor of Tanghalang Pilipino
In 1991, I officially became one of the pioneers of the Actors Company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) via Tanghalang Pilipino (1991–1997).
I did lead roles in straight plays and musicals such as Orosman and Zafira, Walang Sugat, and Ryan Cayabyab’s Rizal Musical Trilogy.
TV Commercial Breakthrough
Arcilla became a familiar face in the TV household when he appeared in a 1990s Purefoods commercial. Arcilla’s iconic line was, “Coffee na lang, Dear” (Just coffee, Dear). His character was a hardworking family man who just takes coffee for breakfast before going to work.
When his wife served him the classic honey-cured bacon, Arcilla’s character couldn’t resist the inviting appearance of bacon for breakfast and capped Friday with “bacon and coffee.”
Early TV Career
With his training in theater, Arcilla showed versatility as a TV actor. He has appeared as a main, supporting/recurring, or guest cast in various TV shows and dramas on major Philippine TV networks. Arcilla's TV stint started in 1987 as a gag artist in Goin Bananas (ABS-CBN).
He also often appeared as an episode cast in the Wakasan Series (RPN 9) and Lovingly Yours, Helen (GMA 7). In the early days of his TV career, Arcilla played the role of a loving and respectable father to famous teen stars appearing in TV series (ABS-CBN and GMA).
Early TV Career
Arcilla often guests in ABS-CBN’s Star Drama Theater Presents, a weeknight TV anthology. On this TV program, Arcilla usually played the onscreen partner to the biggest female stars in the 1990s because of his stellar acting and charming, moreno looks.
Later on, this paved the way for Arcilla to be chosen as the leading man for the film Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin (They Call Me Joy, 1997), which earned Arcilla a Best Supporting Actor from the Urian Awards.
Early TV Career
Arcilla had a key role in ABS-CBN's primetime soap opera Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000) when he played Simon Barcial, the sweetheart of Claudia Buenavista (Jean Garcia). Initially, Angelo (Jericho Rosales) believed that Simon (Arcilla) was his real father. He developed a strong attachment to Simon as the father figure he never had with Eduardo (Tonton Gutierrez), the father he knew and Claudia's husband.
In the end, Simon (Arcilla) still weds Claudia, which fits well with the title, "The Promise." Pangako Sa 'Yo became a Runner Up for Best Drama Series at the 2001 Asian Television Awards.
Since 2021, Arcilla is under the management of Star Magic, a talent agency owned by ABS-CBN Corporation.
First Film Appearance
Arcilla’s first film appearance was in Lino Brocka’s Orapronobis (Fight for Us, 1989), where he had a cameo role as one of the photo journalists covering the release of political detainees.
Arcilla’s notable film break was in Sa 'Yo Lamang (1995), where he played Hector, the loving elder brother of Andrew (Richard Gomez).
First Film Appearance
Arcilla had bigger roles in Raymond Red’s first full-length feature, Bayani (Heroes, 1992), inspired by the heroism of Andres Bonifacio. Arcilla played General Mariano Noriel, who was a member of the War Council that oversaw Andres Bonifacio's case in 1897.
For Sakay (1993), Arcilla played General Leon Villafuerte, the revolutionary chief of staff in Macario Sakay's Tagalog Republic. Arcilla earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor from the Manila Film Festival for both these films.
First Film Appearance
The audience noticed Arcilla’s commendable acting when he appeared in Raymond Red’s short film Anino (Shadow, 2000) as the man in black who is a devil’s advocate to a poor church photographer (Ronnie Lazaro) struggling in life.
Anino won the Palme D'Or for Best Short Film at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
Notable Works
Arcilla played Sisoy Salas in On the Job: Missing 8 (2021). Salas (Arcilla) is a local journalist who later exposes the illegal dealings of the city’s mayor he used to support so he can give justice to his slain journalist peers.
Arcilla earned the Best Actor Award at the 78th Venice International Film Festival.
Quote from the Actor
On Winning the Volpi Cup
This is a golden cup. A very symbolic award ... a milestone. It is filled with all my experiences, in my journey as an actor.
Notable Works
In the film Heneral Luna (2015), Arcilla played the fierce and hot-tempered yet patriotic general who fought in the Philippine-American War before his assassination.
Arcilla earned a Best Actor Award from the Film Academy of the Philippines (2016). He also earned a nomination for Best Actor at the 10th Asian Film Awards.
Notable Works
In the film Mulanay: Sa Pusod ng Paraiso (1996), Arcilla played Lino, a helpful boatman yet stonehearted husband.
Arcilla won his first Best Actor Award from the Manila Film Festival (1996).
Notable Works
In Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo sa Akin, Arcilla played the naive yet sincere farmer Polding who falls in love with the mesmerizing prostitute, Ligaya.
This won Arcilla a Best Supporting Actor Award from the Gawad Urian (1997).
Other Relevant Works
In the film Big Night, Arcilla plays a retired action star, Donato Rapido, now serving as a barangay captain (local official) involved in illegal drug deals.
He received the Best Supporting Actor from the Metro Manila Film Festival (2021).
Other Relevant Works
In Metro Manila (2013), Arcilla plays Douglas Ong, a sneaky senior security officer of a security agency. Ong (Arcilla) befriends the honest-living farmer (Jake Macapagal) and recommends him to the boss of the security agency as part of his scheme to rob money from a client.
He earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 16th British Independent Film Award and Best Supporting Actor at the Gawad Urian (2014).
Other Relevant Works
Before going into mainstream film and TV, Arcilla was a seasoned stage actor and senior member of the Tanghalang Pilipino, the theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Other Relevant Works
Prior to playing Heneral Luna, Arcilla is known for portraying Jose Rizal onstage.
Arcilla honed his craft as an actor and musical performer when he played the main lead in Ryan Cayabyab's Rizal trilogy: El Filibusterismo (1993), Noli Me Tangere (1995), and Illustrado (1996).
Other Relevant Works
As Kabesang Tales in Ricky Lee's Kabesang Tales: Isang Rap en Rol Musical (2015), Arcilla shows his versatility as a stage actor who can also sing well with his powerful vocal range as tenor.
International Movie Roles
Arcilla played a minor role in Bourne Legacy (2012) as Joseph, the nice security guard of a pharmaceutical company.
Joseph (Arcilla) helps Agent Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner) and biochemist, Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) to enter the facility based in Manila, Philippines that manufactures experimental pills.
International Movie Roles
In Lilet Never Happened (2012), Arcilla plays James, the uncaring husband of Claire (Johanna ter Steege), a Dutch social worker concerned with Lilet's welfare.
James (Arcilla) dislikes the teenage girl Lilet (Sandy Talag) because he sees her as a bad influence on other kids for being a child prostitute. The film won the Best Cast Ensemble at the International Film Festival Manhattan (2013).
International Movie Roles
In Amigo (2010), Arcilla plays Saturnino/Nenong, the religious yet hypocritical church server who blindly follows the "teachings" of the church and a strong believer of Spanish authority.
Amigo is a joint American-Filipino indie production that narrates the plight of Filipinos due to the failure of the Resistance Movement during the Philippine-American War. Amigo was screened at the 2011 Asian American International Film Festival in New York.
Culmination: A Capstone of Arcilla's Career
Acting is a noble thing to do. You impart lessons to the audience. - John Arcilla
Testimonial
The name of John (Arcilla) has been the top of the list of the candidates . . . I am personally impressed by the strengths and energy coming from Arcilla.
I truly believe that Arcilla is the Al Pacino of the Filipino cinema. Erik Matti would not have been able to realize Missing 8 without the essential contribution of John (Arcilla).
Alberto Barbera, Artistic Director, Venice International Film Festival
Testimonial
I would like to say that it is also the very first time that a Filipino actor manages to win an award in Venice.
Paolo Bertolin, Festival Programmer, Venice International Film Festival
Reach Out
and Connect
Facebook
https://facebook.com/JohnArcillaOfficial
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/johnarcilla
Email
johnarcilla24@gmail.com
Credits
ABS-CBN Corporation. Metro.Style. Quezon City: ABS-CBN Publishing, Inc., 2022.
ANC. "Photo of John Arcilla as Crisostomo Ibarra from the Rhia Grana's Article, 'John Arcilla's Funny, Bumpy Journey..." published on September 20, 2021." Retrieved June 3, 2022. https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/culture/2021/37/2john.jpg.
Anri Ichimura. "What I've Learned: John Arcilla." Esquire Magazine, December 23, 2021.
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/what-ive-learned/john-arcilla-actor-a1926-20211223-lfrm2.
Credits
Angelica Tordesillas. "Exclusive: In Conversation with John Arcilla, 78th Venice Film Festival's Best Actor." Metro.Style. Last update October 15, 2021. https://metro.style/amp/people/celebrities/john-arcilla-78th-venice-film-festival-best-actor/31234.
Baler Church. “Photo of the Exterior of Baler Church.” Accessed June 7, 2022. Wikimedia Commons.
Cyrus Panganiban. "Photo of John Arcilla from Esquire Magazine." December 2021. https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/what-ive-learned/john-arcilla-actor-a1926-20211223-lfrm2.
Dulaang UP (DUP). “Photo of DUP. Accessed June 7, 2022. From Dulaang UP’s Facebook Page.
Credits
Manila Bulletin Online. "John Arcilla Wins Best Actor at the 2021 Venice International Film Festival."
September 13, 2021, YouTube video, 1:45. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_fjrtiKQ1A.
Mount Carmel College of Baler (MCCB). “Photo of the Logo of MCCB.” Accessed June 5, 2022. Wikimedia Commons.
Philippine Daily Inquirer/Red Lantern Productions. "Photo of John Arcilla as Kabesang Tales." December 12, 2015. https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/215824/john-arcilla-stars-in-ricky-lee-rap-en-rol-musical-kabesang-tales/.
Credits
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). “Logo of PETA.” Accessed June 4, 2022. Wikimedia Commons.
St. Joseph’s College, Quezon City (SJQC). “Photo and logo of the SJQC.” Accessed June 4, 2022.