Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Jhong Hilario gets real about acting challenges, biggest realization in showbiz

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Exceptionally talented dancer, actor, and host Jhong Hilario just turned 50 last August 11! Thus, his CCM Film Productions family pays tribute to him in this episode of &quot;Mga Kwentong Set,&quot; where he opens up about his experience on the set of &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Coco Martin&#x27;s Sigabo</em></u></strong></a>,&quot; the challenges of being an actor, the important lessons he has learned throughout his career, and what he considers the true measure of success. </p><p>Contrary to his aggressive, volatile, and rancorous character Django, whom avid viewers of the Kapamilya teleserye have surely loved to hate because of how he portrays it with utmost brilliance, Jhong is actually fun, gentle, and kind in real life. While we only get to see this lighthearted facet of him usually on &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/itsshowtime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>It&#x27;s Showtime</em></u></strong></a>,&quot; the CCM Film Production team gives us a glimpse of it through the behind-the-scenes clips of him featured in this special video.  </p><p>He can be seen sharing a good laugh with his castmates and the production crew, including the “Hari ng Aksyon sa Ating Henerasyon” Coco Martin, as well as mingling with fans and spectators in each taping whenever possible. Apparently, he really means it when he says that one of the things that makes him happy is getting to work with his “Sigabo” family. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1970445356993687%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>Being the seasoned actor that he is, Jhong imparts that he always strives to deliver the character that every project, like this teleserye, is looking for. At the same time, he considers it the most challenging to execute whatever it is that the director, the producer, and/or the audience want to see in each of his portrayals. </p><p>In the more than three decades that he has been in showbiz, he shares that the biggest lesson he has learned is to respect everyone involved in this industry—from the production staff and crew to his fellow actors. It’s highly important, he says, because these are the people he will be working with and spending a lot of time with. </p><p>More than the fame, fortune, and influence that come with being a celebrity, Jhong shares that the true definition of success for him is going home after work with a smile on his face and happiness in his heart. For him, this means that he has been able to do his job well. </p><p>As someone who has already gone through a lot in life, he has some advice for young people who are still finding their way in the world. He says, &quot;Kung may payo akong ibibigay sa mga kabataan, &#x27;yon ay ang pahalagahan &#x27;yong mga oportunidad na kinakaharap n&#x27;yo o haharapin n&#x27;yo dahil sa dami ng tao sa mundo, iilan &#x27;yong nagkakaroon ng opportunity. Kaya dapat itong niyayakap.&quot; </p><p>Jhong wraps up the interview with a quip, &quot;Sa set, sa pagiging artista, kailangan mong sundin ang script. Sa trabaho ko bilang host, hindi ako pwedeng magalit. Pero sa &#x27;Sigabo,&#x27; lagi akong galit.&quot; </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mM1p9jN-B2I" title="Django explodes in anger after Gabo call him a coward | Coco Martin&#x27;s Sigabo" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><p>And speaking of “galit” or angry, the video wraps up with a scene of his character, Django, getting livid after one of his henchmen calls him a coward for failing to accomplish PCPT Melchor Umali (Joko Diaz) and for not fighting back against Gabo during their most recent encounter. Django irately explains that the real reason he refused to get into an altercation with Gabo and his group was because he wanted Gabo to think that he was not keen on fighting him, thereby lowering his guard. </p><p>Watch out for more thrilling scenes of Jhong as Django in &quot;<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u><em>Coco Martin&#x27;s Sigabo</em></u></strong></a>,” weeknights at 8:00 PM on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), or stream anytime on <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>iWant</u></strong></a>! </p><div> </div><div><strong>More on this story: </strong></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/9/6-scenes-from-coco-martin-s-sigabo-that-mark-jhong-hilario-s-fierce-comeback-as-a-kontrabida-0030" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>6 scenes from “Coco Martin’s Sigabo” that mark Jhong Hilario’s fierce comeback as a kontrabida</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/25/jhong-hilario-breaks-down-his-intense-transformation-into-django-in-coco-martin-s-sigabo-0148" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Jhong Hilario breaks down his intense transformation into Django in “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/8/4/sigabo-gabo-ipinamalas-ang-kanyang-tapang-at-pinatiklop-si-django-episode-32-2235" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Sigabo: Gabo, ipinamalas ang kanyang tapang at pinatiklop si Django | Episode 32</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/31/sigabo-paquito-dismayado-sa-kapalpakan-ng-misyon-ni-django-episode-30-2253" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Sigabo: Paquito, dismayado sa kapalpakan ng misyon ni Django | Episode 30</u></strong></a> </div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/7/15/sigabo-gabo-hinarap-at-kinompronta-si-django-ukol-sa-pamamaril-kay-rudy-episode-18-2245" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><u>Sigabo: Gabo, hinarap at kinompronta si Django ukol sa pamamaril kay Rudy | Episode 18</u></strong></a></div>

<p>“Coco Martin’s Sigabo” star Jhong Hilario shares the challenges and lessons that come with more than three decades in showbiz in this episode of “CCM: Mga Kwentong Set”!</p>

“Coco Martin’s Sigabo” star Jhong Hilario shares the challenges and lessons that come with more than three decades in showbiz in this episode of “CCM: Mga Kwentong Set”!