For actor and army reservist Matteo Guidicelli, his upcoming docuseries, Philippine Defenders, is both a television project and a personal mission.
In his latest collaboration with GMA Public Affairs, Guidicelli takes on the role of storyteller, bringing viewers closer to the real lives of Filipino soldiers. The docu-series covers key military operations, including the Marawi siege and deployments in the West Philippine Sea, while highlighting the struggles and motivations of those in uniform.
“Every soldier has their own reason for why they signed up. Some do it for their family, some for a better future, and some for the country. Their stories are all different, and honestly, very touching,” said Matteo.
The actor said watching the trailer alone brought back so much memories of his experience.
“Just seeing the footage from Marawi gave me goosebumps. I know some of those soldiers. I’ve spoken to them. I’ve heard about the sacrifices they made,” he continued.
But the docu-series isn’t only about those in uniform. For him, the idea of defending the country goes beyond the battlefield.
“When we say ‘Philippine defenders,’ it’s not just about the military. It’s all of us—regular citizens, the media, our frontliners. We all play a part in defending and protecting our country,” explained Matteo.
The actor has completed both airborne and ranger military training, and his transformation didn’t come easy.
“I’ve done six jumps with the military, and every time we board the plane, the door opens, and fear kicks in. But when you jump and see your parachute open, you can say God is with you. It’s an incredible feeling, and I don’t take it for granted,” he shared.
Despite once being afraid of heights, Matteo forced himself to overcome the fear by taking the training head-on.
“I used to get scared just looking down from a tall building,” he admitted. “But I faced my fear through airborne training. That wasn’t even the hardest part, the ranger course was what broke me,” Matteo added.
He described ranger training as an experience that humbled him deeply.
“One of their missions is to break your ego. When we let our egos grow too much, we become blind. We start building walls around ourselves. The Army tore all those down for me in 2019. In training, everyone’s equal. We suffered together, and we built a strong bond. That’s something I’ll carry with me forever,” he stated.
Matteo first became interested in the military after taking a highway patrol course. Some of his classmates invited him to try civilian skydiving, which eventually led to an invitation to train with the Army.
“At first, I joked about joining. But I went back two weeks later, enlisted, and started the paperwork,” said Matteo, recalling how surprised even his superiors were at his commitment.
“They told me no celebrity had done this before. When I told my manager I was joining the Army, he just laughed and said we could make an action movie instead. But I wanted the real thing. I wanted to experience the hardship, not just play it on screen,” he added.
He eventually graduated number one in his ranger course and said the experience pushed him to become better, not just as a soldier, but as a person.
While filming “Philippine Defenders,” Guidicelli also had the chance to visit the West Philippine Sea.
“It was my first time there, and seeing it up close was eye-opening. I hope this docuseries gets people talking about it more, especially about the soldiers stationed there. If we don’t pay attention, the threats will only get closer,” Matteo told Manila Standard Entertainment.
Asked what patriotism means to him now, Matteo kept his answer grounded.
“It’s about setting an example. Even small things, like throwing your trash properly, matter. That’s how we protect our country. It starts with the little things,” he stated.