Arzen Rose Dulzura

Joaquin Arce gets starstruck in his first movie project: ‘I’m in the presence of greatness!’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After emerging as <a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com"><em><strong><u>Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0</u></strong></em></a>’s 3rd Big Placer, Joaquin Arce has continually grown his presence in showbiz. This year, the newbie actor, who is the son of film producer Neil Arce and Leysel Samson, was ecstatic to be formally introduced to the press as part of the horror film <em>Haunted Carnival,</em> which is Regal Films’ official entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. </p><p>During the official cast reveal event, the actor-model, who is also the stepson of actress Angel Locsin, also shared how he felt when he was first asked to audition for a role in the film.</p><p>“I got so excited. As soon as I heard MMFF, horror, of course I wanted to explore that genre. Wala akong sinabi na wait muna I’ll think about it. Sinabi ko go na agad. Nung sinabing MMFF, sabi ko, ‘Go, go! Let’s just do that. Please, please, I’ll audition.’ As soon as I heard it, I took my chance, direk Joey (De Guzman) accepted me,” he recalled. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-26" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DY3l_mfh9qx/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A26%2C%22os%22%3A10425796.299999952%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-26" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/3/2/joaquin-arce-bonds-with-angel-locsin-and-neil-arce-after-pbb-stint-1006"><strong><u>READ: Joaquin Arce bonds with Angel Locsin and Neil Arce after PBB stint</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-24" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaFdj4YGKSB/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A24%2C%22os%22%3A10386094.799999952%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-24" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Another thing Joaquin is most excited about is the fact that he will get the chance to work alongside veteran artists like Maricel Soriano and John Arcilla. The 19-year-old Star Magic artist admitted that he was such a big fan of the <em>Heneral Luna</em> star. </p><p>“I’m so excited to be in this project. Pinaka-first kong movie ito at I’m in the presence of greatness right now. Gusto kong mahawa sa greatness po nila. Nung nakita ko yung cast sabi ko, ‘Sino ba naman ako?’ Si sir John, Ms. Maricel, ate Julia, kuya James, and of course these people. They’ve been in the industry longer than I have. It’s an honor to be working with people that are more experienced than me. I’d rather be the worst one or the smallest one in the room so I can learn from all of them. And so I can become a better actor. So it’s such an honor, and I’m so excited!” he shared. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-22" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DbQGxSZGoQE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A22%2C%22os%22%3A10358260.299999952%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-22" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>In real life, the <em>Haunted Carnival</em> actor admitted he has always been a fan of horror flicks. “Favorite horror movie ko is <em>Obsession, Nightmare on Elm Street.</em> Like yung mga slasher films, lahat kasi sila magaganda, yung mga classic like <em>Friday the 13th</em> and <em>Scream</em>,” he added. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-20" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DaPS75nmOLa/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A20%2C%22os%22%3A10330115.799999952%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-20" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2026/7/27/maricel-soriano-approves-of-fyang-smith-as-her-heir-apparent-1131"><strong><u>READ: Maricel Soriano approves of Fyang Smith as her heir apparent:‘Nakakataba ng puso yan!’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-18" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DX_5PkDk6wD/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A18%2C%22os%22%3A10290909.200000048%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-18" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-16" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DafH4lQj6Vc/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A16%2C%22os%22%3A10272683.599999905%2C%22ls%22%3A284151%2C%22le%22%3A284471.39999985695%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-16" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>Joaquin officially joined showbiz last year as a housemate on the reality competition <a href="http://pbb.abs-cbn.com"><em><strong><u>Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab 2.0.</u></strong></em></a> In an interview on <em>Oh My Gan</em> earlier this year, he revealed what he learned during his experience and how the show taught him authenticity, empathy, and growth.</p><p>&quot;I can confidently say that hindi ako nagbago. And hindi ko tinuweak &#x27;yung personality ko,&quot; he said. &quot;Because, you know, I love me for myself. I think my personality is a gift from God. Combination ng lahat ng mga naranasan ko sa buhay ko, at saka combination ng lahat ng mga kilala ko sa buhay ko, that&#x27;s me.&quot;</p><p>While he admitted there was pressure in joining one of the country&#x27;s biggest reality shows, he said it only pushed him to improve. The only thing I really think about is I want to do better. I want to be better. Not just bilang aktor, pero bilang tao din,” he explained. </p><p><em>Haunted Carnival</em> stars Maricel Soriano, John Arcilla, Julia Baretto, James Reid, Fyang Smith, RK Bagatsing, Charlie Fleming, Prince Carlos, and Selyn David.  </p>

<p>Star Magic artist Joaquin Arce talks about making his big screen debut as part of the cast of the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival official entry 'Haunted Carnival.'</p>

Star Magic artist Joaquin Arce talks about making his big screen debut as part of the cast of the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival official entry 'Haunted Carnival.'