Actor and congressman Richard Gomez is making a big-screen comeback with Salvageland, a neo-Western crime thriller directed by Lino Cayetano, drawn in immediately by the film’s script.
Speaking with Manila Standard Entertainment during the film’s press conference, Gomez, who plays a veteran police officer nearing retirement, shared that he connected with the story because of its realism and its themes of duty, morality, and family.
“I’m a script-based actor,” the 61-year-old Gomez said. “The story felt very realistic.”
“And since, like Direk Lino, I also have experience as a mayor, I immediately understood how an organization operates, especially the kind of work that police officers do. You can really feel the grit and the ‘dirtiness’ that sometimes comes with their job,” Gomez explained.
“It was perfect because, as a former mayor, I could relate to portraying someone about to retire from the service. I understood the emotions behind wanting to leave that kind of work,” he added.
Gomez also discussed the dynamic with the younger generation of actors who are part of the l film.
“Then there’s the other side, like Elijah’s [Canlas] character, representing the younger generation of police officers who are just starting out and trying to follow the law to the letter, believing they can change the system even when it’s incredibly difficult. In short, I could easily relate to the story because it’s grounded in truth,” he said.
Gomez praised his co-stars, recalling that the first days on set were challenging due to the cast’s talent and the length of the dialogue.
“I was really nervous during my first two days on set… But I took it as a challenge. I enjoyed it because it pushed me as an actor,” he added.
Returning to acting after years in public service felt like coming home. “Masarap, masaya. Noon nasa set nga kami e, talagang ang saya lang makisalamuha sa mga kapwa ko artista, kina direk, sa crew. It felt like coming home. Napakakomportable ko.”
Cayetano, who returns to feature directing after years producing at Rein Entertainment, called Gomez’s involvement a “privilege” and talked about his experience as both an actor and filmmaker.
“People often see him now as a politician, an athlete, a vlogger, or a husband, but sometimes we forget Richard Gomez, the artist, the actor. He’s magnetic on screen, and it’s such a joy to watch him,” Cayetano pointed out.
In turn, Gomez addressed the perception that he had left filmmaking behind.
“I never said I’m retiring or that I’m retired. Actually, I’m still very much open to doing film work… At this point, I am looking for something special, something that could challenge me enough to say yes. Salvageland offered me that and more.”
Set against the volcanic terrain of Mount Pinatubo, Salvageland follows Gomez’s character and his rookie son, played by Canlas, as they protect a woman on the run from a crime syndicate. The story examines morality, loyalty, and the personal cost of justice, also addressing the controversial Philippine use of the term “salvage” for extrajudicial killings.
Salvageland also stars Mon Confiado, Cindy Miranda, McCoy de Leon, and Angela Morena, and is produced under Rein Entertainment in partnership with Viva Films.
