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Mon Confiado reveals secrets behind his blood-curdling scenes in “High Street”

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Liezel dela Cruz

Mon Confiado&#x27;s portrayal of the menacing Governor William Acosta in the Kapamilya series “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>” has sent waves through the audience, eliciting a range of intense reactions from shock to outright fury. As William, he didn’t just play the villain—he embodied the very essence of corruption and malevolence, making viewers shudder at the sight of his twisted smile and calculating gaze.His performance stirred up conversations and reactions on social media. Now, it’s Mon’s turn to react. After captivating audiences with his chilling scenes and sinister on-screen persona, he sits down with “Kapamilya React” to revisit his unforgettable moments as the “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>” OG villain and give us an inside look at the artistry and dedication behind his powerful portrayal.Mon sensed that the first series, “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank">Senior High</a>,” was bound to have a sequel, not just because of the show&#x27;s success but also due to the series&#x27; cliffhanger conclusion that left viewers on the edge of their seats. His character, William, was shown in the hospital after falling from the Northford High School building. Then, an enigmatic, unidentified character appeared, reporting that they had found Sky Love Cruz (Andrea Brillantes). Endings like that usually leave audiences craving more, and Mon felt there was a strong possibility of a continuation. Sure enough, news of a second part was announced as early as the “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank">Senior High</a>” farewell cast party.“Ako ang unang tuwang-tuwa. Lagi akong sumisigaw ng, ‘Buhay si Acosta, ha!’ Kasi baka may Season 2 nga pero hindi naman pala ako kasali,” he quipped. “Isa ako sa tuwang-tuwa talaga noon na magkakaroon ng Season 2, at ‘yun na nga ang ‘High Street’.”“<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>” picked up right from that gripping cliffhanger, where William was in a coma after his fall. Eventually, he regained consciousness, reviving his menacing presence once again.Let’s get Mon’s reaction to that intense scene where William was slowly regaining his strength. On his hospital bed, his devoted wife Cecile (Ana Abad-Santos) encouraged him, telling him that he could move, that he could do it, to speed up his recovery. Frustrated and driven, William kicked the nurse therapist assisting him—a classic move for the ruthless William who shows no mercy. Then, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and clearly wasn’t pleased with what he saw—his face covered in stitches, altered by broken bones and the effects of being paralyzed. It was a spine-tingling moment on-screen, but there’s actually a funny story behind it.“Ang nakakatawa dito, ‘yung nurse na nagte-therapy sa akin [sa eksena], ‘pag straight ko ng paa ko, medyo napalakas ‘yung sipa. Kaya medyo natural ‘yung bagsak niya,” Mon revealed, laughing. After that scene, he apologized to the bit player who portrayed the nurse.One reason William remained so detestable in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>,” even without many lines due to his condition, was his eerie appearance. Mon is known for his methodical approach to acting; he doesn’t just play the role—he fully immerses himself by transforming physically and creating unique nuances, knitting the character into his own skin.The story behind his shaved head in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>” is that it was his own suggestion for his character. He pitched the idea to the creatives, thinking that William would look more believable if he had lost his hair after all the medical procedures and operations he endured, especially with his skull and jaw likely shattered. “Totoong nagpakalbo ako kasi hindi ‘yan one taping day lang. Kailangan siyang i-maintain,” said Mon.Also one of the most anticipated moments of the second season was the reunion between William and his son Gino (Juan Karlos). As we know, their father-son dynamic in “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/seniorhigh2023" target="_blank">Senior High</a>” was dark and harsh, culminating in them becoming mortal enemies when Gino condemned his father’s wickedness and sided with Sky.The reunion was indeed chilling. William, paralyzed, didn’t speak a word, but his face was coated with resentment and rage as he faced Gino, who also displayed traces of anger. Although William tried to express his fury by spitting, the spit ended up landing on his own skin due to his immobility. Mon divulged, “Dumura ako doon sa eksena! At napakaganda kasi, siyempre, wala namang power ‘yung pagdura ni William Acosta dahil baldado siya. Kaya ang bagsak no’n, sa bibig ko lang din. So, very memorable ‘yan na eksena at napakaganda!” He added, “’Yung tensyon sa pagitan ng mag-ama ay kitang-kita dahil napakahusay din ni JK talaga.”Mon didn’t just admire JK; he praised all the Gen Z actors on the show. He found working with them incredibly rewarding. “Ang totoo, ako ang mas maraming natututunan sa kanila kasi napaka-raw ng kanilang acting.”He added that this new generation of stars brings a refreshing style and techniques on screen. “Ang tendency kasi ‘pag matagal ka ng artista, nagiging patterned, parang nagiging pare-pareho na ang bato. Iba na ang role pero the way they speak, move, and deliver their lines, pareho-pareho lang. Pero itong mga bagong artista, palibhasa mga bago sila, napakasarap kaeksena kasi nahihila ka. Nabibigyan ng bagong flavor ang eksena.”Although he isn’t one to offer unsolicited advice to younger co-stars, Mon does enjoy chatting with them when given the chance. He shares with them the importance of always being professional, ‘pakikisama’ or getting along well with everyone, and showing respect to fellow actors, whether they are veterans or newcomers.“Napakasaya ng samahan,” he described the off-cam camaraderie of the “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>” cast. “Napakamarespeto ng lahat sa isa’t isa, matanda man o bata. I guess ‘yun ang isa sa naibahagi ko sa mga batang ito at sa buong cast.”Death sequences often stand out as some of the most memorable moments in television, leaving a lasting impact on both the audience and the actor. For Mon, saying goodbye to his character, Gov. Acosta, was no exception.“Finally, patay na si Governor Acosta! Hindi mamatay-matay, eh. Nahulog na sa building, buhay pa rin,” he joked. On a more serious note, he disclosed that the death scene that aired wasn’t the original concept. The writers and directors made adjustments to the initial draft of the script to give William a more fitting ending.Actors who play villains often face a unique challenge: their portrayals can be so convincing that viewers struggle to separate fiction from reality. The intense realism of their performances sometimes leads to misunderstandings, where the public may perceive them as the very characters they portray.Behind the cameras, Mon is the complete opposite of the terrifying figures he plays on screen. “Maraming, kumbaga, nagugulat na ‘pag ako ay kasama o kaharap mo, ibang iba. Minsan nga nalalamyaan pa sila sa akin in real life,” he shared. For instance, while his on-screen characters are frequently shown smoking or drinking heavily, Mon himself does neither in real life. “Lahat ‘yan ay acting lang,” he smiled.As we wrap up, we’re ready to give Mon a standing ovation—and it’s not just for him, but for all the cast members who have captivated us with their performances from the very beginning. And they will undoubtedly continue to impress us until the final episode.Don’t miss the finale of “<a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/highstreet2024" target="_blank">High Street</a>,” airing this Friday, August 30, on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-kapamilya-channel-12340" target="_blank">Kapamilya Channel</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/abscbnentertainment" target="_blank">Kapamilya Online Live</a>, TV5, and A2Z.

Mon Confiado shares his thoughts about playing Governor William Acosta in “High Street”!