Former Hashtags members Wilbert Ross, Nikko Natividad, and Vitto Marquez reunited in a project – not on a dance floor but on the big screen.
Under Viva Films, the three former dancers star in a comedy film Working Boys 2: Choose Your Papa alongside Mikoy Morales and Andrew Muhlach.
Wilbert, Nikko, and Vitto first worked together back as members of the all-male dance group Hashtags in 2016. Nikko was part of the first batch while Wilbert and Vitto later joined the group.
Wilbert and Vitto first signed with Viva and recently, Nikko officially had his contract with Viva Artists Agency.
As for Mikoy, he was the runner-up winner of Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break in 2012. It was Mikoy’s first time working with the other cast members since he came
“Nakakapanibago sa totoo lang. Unfamiliar territory, wala sa comfort zone ko, wala akong kilala sa prod, wala akong kilala sa cast. Lahat sila first time ko makatrabaho,” shared Mikoy.
Meanwhile, Andrew is a regular of Viva Films and Viva Max flicks.
The film tackles the life of five bums struggling with what direction they want to take in their respective lives. As they plan to turn things around, they try to find a job, only to fail at it miserably and even gain a lot of hate and a new enemy.
Having the ‘never say no attitude’ especially when it comes to their friends and family, they applied to PAPA APPS.
Working Boys 2: Choose Your Papa is inspired by the 1985 film of the same title which starred Tito Sotto, Joey De Leon, and Vic Sotto, commonly known as the TVJ.
Director Paolo O’Hara clarified that the latest one is not a remake but a modern take on the TVJ film.
“It’s about the brotherhood of these boys trying to survive the hardships. Parang more on inspiration rather than a remake. Kasi hindi natin kayangng tapatan ang TVJ,” explained the director.
“Kung meron mang similarity, it’s ‘yung pag-t-thrive nila to survive, to work harder,” he added.
The five lead cast were also advised by the director not to watch the TVJ film.
“Specifically, sabi ko ‘wag panoorin. Because ayoko na magaya. I want them to think fresh du’n sa character nila,” added O’Hara.
When asked about the challenges he encountered working on his first full-length mainstream film, the director quipped that he didn’t experience any.
Marquez, and Andrew Muhlach during the press conference of the upcoming comedy film
“Actually, wala eh. Siguro ang isa sa mga main challenge ko talaga, halimbawa, itong presscon, kinakabahan ako habang naghihintay ako do’n kanina. But, seriously, like problema sa set, wala eh. Kasi kung paano ako sa theatre, kung paano ako sa events…ganu’n din ‘yung ginawa kong proseso dito. So, happy set, walang diva, everybody’s equal. Kahit ‘yung PAs, equal to everybody,” said O’Hara.
To complete the roster of the cast, the “hero” of Philippine Comedy Bayani Agbayani plays ‘Chupapi’ of the boys, together with Angela Morena, Debbie Garcia, Lea Jane, Angelic Guzman, Divine Aucina, Marissa Sanchez, Bob Jbeilli, and Juliana Parizcova Segovia with the special participation of Frankie Russell.
Working Boys 2: Choose Your Papa unspools in cinemas on March 29.