Ian Veneracion describes his one good day as an idle one while sipping his coffee, with good music in the background. The temperature not too hot or humid, not that cold either—just the right amount of coolness.
‘Preferably outdoors, looking at the horizon, being inspired by the creation in front of me, with my canvas, and interpreting or capturing it through my painting. That is not one good day for me, that is perfect,” he says.
“There was a time in my life wherein all I do was add and acquire. Seemingly in a hurry, trying to prove that I am good in my roles personally or in my career. When I was in my mid-thirties, that it the time when I started subtracting. I am grateful for my blessing specifically in terms of my career and the domestic part of my life. Career wise, kung kailan ako mas nag-mature saka ang gaganda ng projects. My marriage is 25 years old. All my kids are all grown up. The two eldest are about to finish their courses and the youngest is in high school. And I am so gung ho about this action series of mine, One Good Day, which will be shown in Amazon Prime Video,” he carries on.
One Good Day gives us the story of Dale Sta. Maria, a strong-willed mobster who left the organization he works for after discovering his medical affliction. However, with the death of his loved ones, he is drawn out of retirement and is forced to go on a final mission before calling it a day.
“This series will surprise our Filipino viewers in terms of quality,” Ian declares. “This is the kind of action series that I want this generation to see. With the advent and availability of current technologies; the level of image and sound quality, non-linear storytelling, creative and fast-paced fight scenes, that of which, would certainly make us proud to showcase the Filipino talent.”
On being Dale, the name of his character in the series, Ian admits that giving life to such character always gets his attention, “He is not the usual man who is out there to seek blood or has a vendetta that he wants to execute. He is a conflicted man. As an actor, the role requires me to present his yin and yang. That struggle between order and chaos, serenity and smoldering emotions, that wanting of a simple life but for him to achieve it, he must be embrace a violent path.”
Adding a layer of gloss and sophistication to the heart-pounding and high-octane action series is their location, the province of Iloilo.
“Iloilo is beautiful cinematically speaking. There are farmlands, urban areas and ancestral homes. There is even an elitist and sophisticated culture that prevails up to this day. I believe that Iloilo helped in making our series more exciting,” the actor says.
The captain of the One Good Day ship is action director Lester Pimentel Ong who considers himself fortunate to be doing the project with Ian.
“He is not only a brilliant actor, but also a martial artist and an athlete. He is a true professional who has given me his trust and talent. You know, it gives me great pride to be creating this kind of action series. I feel this is the push needed to revive the action genre that is sorely missed by the viewing public and it is crucial to the growth of the industry,” the director says.
The star-studded cast of One Good Day includes Rabiya Mateo, Andrea Torres, Alex Sandoval, Aljur Abrenica, Kyzer Catillo, Justin Cuyugan, Nicole Cordoves, Pepe Herrera, Robert Seña, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, and Joel Torre.
One Good Day streams on Amazon Prime Video beginning November 17.