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Daniel Padilla - Metro x Incognito

<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687015746DSC06275 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Daniel Padilla | Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Something new and exciting for the new year: that’s what <strong>Daniel Padilla</strong> got with his latest series, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/15/metro-style-digital-cover-kicking-off-2025-with-the-powerhouse-cast-of-incognito-1951" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Incognito</em></strong></a>. “It’s a breath of fresh air,” he said, emphasizing how thrilled he was with this opportunity—from the moment it was pitched to him to when they started training to the actual filming in scenic places.  </p><p>Produced by <strong>ABS-CBN Studios</strong>, <strong>Star Creatives</strong>, and <strong>Studio 360</strong>, <em>Incognito</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong> is an action-drama series about a group of private military contractors. In the trailer alone, where Daniel is seen in an intense fight scene inside a train, it is clear he’s a perfect fit for this project. </p><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/15/metro-style-digital-cover-kicking-off-2025-with-the-powerhouse-cast-of-incognito-1951" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Bold New Year: Kicking Off 2025 With the Star-Studded Cast of ‘Incognito’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687050925DSC06321 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>At this point in Daniel’s career, he chooses projects based on the concept <em>and</em> the people he will work with. It’s important to him that they’re on the same page on the vision. With <em>Incognito</em>, he found the right collaborators, starting with director<strong> Lester Pimentel Ong </strong>whom he worked with in the 2017 series<em> La Luna Sangre</em> and who’s truly an expert in the action genre.</p><p>“[It’s] something new…<em> s’yempre</em>, action <em>naman ngayon</em>. Something different,” Daniel said, as he ventured away from the romance-drama genre in his comeback series. The mere idea of doing action was enough to excite him, but he said it didn’t mean he agreed to do the project right away. He explained, “<em>S’yempre marami ka pang</em> questions. ‘<em>Ano pa ang mangyayari</em>?’ ‘<em>Sino kasama mo</em>?’ ‘<em>Saan ito ishu</em>-shoot?’ <em>Kasi minsan</em>, <em>ang daling sabihin ’yung konsepto pero s’yempre ’pagka ginawa niyo na</em>, <em>pag</em>-execute <em>n</em><em>a</em>, <em>hindi</em>, <em>iba e.</em> <em>Pero sila Direk</em> Lester, <em>iba e</em>, <em>seryoso sila</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687167509DSC06385 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">And that’s what makes it all the more meant to be because Daniel, too, is serious about elevating himself as an actor. In <em>Incognito</em>, he plays the role of Andres Malvar, a scout ranger with a strong sense of duty and complex personal struggles. </p><p>When asked about the most challenging part of portraying his character, he said it’s the fact that every scene offers a different level of difficulty, sharing, “Every shooting <em>namin</em>, challenging, physically [and] emotionally draining.” But every time, there<s>’</s>s that conscious effort to deliver quality and authenticity. “<em>Para kaming mga tunay na sundalo kung mag</em>-shoot,” Daniel shared matter-of-factly, giving a glimpse of how dedicated the cast and crew are to ensuring the executed scenes are at par with their standards. </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687317665DSC06328 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>The goal to offer a compelling, world-class series is easier said than done. But when like-minded individuals come together, bonded by their shared vision and goals, nothing is impossible. </p><p>Some scenes in <em>Incognito</em> were filmed in Matera, Italy. It was Daniel’s first time there, all the more amping up his excitement for the opportunity to do a shoot abroad and, ultimately, widen his experience in acting. He talked about ensuring they maximize their time there, saying, “<em>Wala kaming sinayang na araw. Talagang lahat ng p’wedeng makunan ngayon, kunan na natin</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687395527DSC06266 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Daniel also shared how the whole cast gets along so well. “<em>Laging masaya</em>. <em>Alam mo ’yun, seryoso kami ’pag kailangan na seryoso</em>,” he described their set, adding that the moment their director says “cut,” they can’t avoid bursting into laughter. But this light and friendly working environment encourages collaboration and sparks passion, allowing the actors to get into their characters more smoothly. </p><p><em>Incognito</em> also stars <strong>Richard Gutierrez</strong>, <strong>Baron Geisler</strong>, <strong>Anthony Jennings</strong>, <strong>Maris Racal</strong>, <strong>Kaila Estrada</strong>,<strong></strong> and<strong> Ian Veneracion</strong>. </p><p>They work as a team on-screen, and the same applies off-screen. Oftentimes, the success of a project doesn’t lie in the concept and quality alone, it’s through the strength of each team member as well. Just like how they step up to the plate for missions in <em>Incognito</em>, the cast members also come and work together to achieve progress and success in this new endeavor.  </p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687611208DSC05466 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1737687588341DSC06452 copy.jpg" style="width:500px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">(From left)<em> Incognito</em> cast members Richard Gutierrez (as Jose Bonifacio), Baron Geisler (as Miguel Tecson), Ian Veneracion (as Gregorio Paterno), Anthony Jennings (as Tomas Guerrero), and Daniel Padilla (as Andres Malvar)</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DE2GcIhT-f5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=864&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A7111675.8999999985%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="826" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" 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 style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EnYoygfojvs?si=H-9psdRxB1UFsY8Y" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><strong></strong><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/22/incognito-reignites-ian-veneracion-s-passion-for-the-action-genre-1729" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>&#x27;Beyond My Expectations&#x27;—&#x27;Incognito&#x27; Reignites Ian Veneracion&#x27;s Passion for the Action Genre</strong></a></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/22/-incognito-sees-kaila-estrada-dabbling-in-the-action-genre-for-the-first-time-1757" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>High-Octane Series &#x27;Incognito&#x27; Sees Kaila Estrada Dabbling In the Action Genre for the First Time</strong></a></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="http://&#x27;Incognito&#x27; Showcases a Different Side of Baron Geisler as an Actor" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>&#x27;Incognito&#x27; Showcases a Different Side of Baron Geisler as an Actor</strong></a></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/23/anthony-jennings-delivers-action-heart-and-humor-in-incognito-1805" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Anthony Jennings Delivers Action, Heart, and Humor in &#x27;Incognito&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/23/-fashion-meets-action-maris-racal-takes-on-a-fab-and-fierce-role-in-incognito-1809" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>&quot;Fashion Meets Action&quot;—Maris Racal Takes on a Fab and Fierce Role in &#x27;Incognito&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><strong>Related: </strong><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/people/2025/1/24/richard-gutierrez-further-cements-his-action-star-status-with-incognito-1748" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Richard Gutierrez Further Cements His Action Star Status With &#x27;Incognito&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Incognito is now available for streaming on Netflix and iWantTFC. Catch new episodes from Monday to Friday at 8:45 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5.<br/></em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Photography by <strong>Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands</strong></p><p>Metro Head: <strong>Christina N. Lopez</strong></p><p>Editor-in-chief: <strong>Geolette Esguerra</strong></p><p>Sittings editors: <strong>Grace Libero-Cruz</strong> and <strong>Randz Manucom</strong></p><p>Fashion associate: <strong>Carla Buyo</strong></p><p>Creative direction by <strong>Chookie Cruz </strong></p><p>Styling by <strong>Ryan Viloria</strong></p><p>Grooming by <strong>Ryan Ko</strong></p><p>Videographer: <strong>Pat Buenaobra</strong></p><p>Interviewers: <strong>Ryan Christopher Claveria</strong> and <strong>Leigh Sofia Lazo</strong></p><p>Shoot assistant: <strong>Princes del Corro</strong></p><p>Shoot coordination: <strong>Noella Fonbuena</strong> and<strong> Red Dimaandal</strong></p><p>Shot on location at <strong>Ascott Bonifacio Global City</strong></p><p>Special thanks to <strong>Star Creatives</strong></p>

<p>Daniel Padilla ventures into the action genre with "Incognito," filled with so much hope and excitement for delivering a well-thought-out, well-executed series. </p>

Daniel Padilla ventures into the action genre with "Incognito," filled with so much hope and excitement for delivering a well-thought-out, well-executed series.

"A Breath of Fresh Air"—'Incognito' Takes Actor Daniel Padilla to New Heights

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"A Breath of Fresh Air"—'Incognito' Takes Actor Daniel Padilla to New Heights

Grace Libero

Published January 24, 2025 05:30 PM PHT

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Updated January 24, 2025 06:12 PM PHT

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