John Arcilla on acting, accountability, and the stories we tell

The award-winning actor discusses his career, upcoming projects, and debut single during the ‘Star Magic Spotlight’ press conference at the Dolphy Theater

John Arcilla believes the power of acting lies in its ability to make audiences reflect, question, and understand the human stories behind every character.

The seasoned actor shared his views on the craft, storytelling, and his latest projects during the Star Magic Spotlight Press Conference at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN, Quezon City.

The 60-year-old Arcilla described acting as a shared responsibility between the actor, the character being portrayed, fellow performers, and the audience.

“Acting is not just a commitment towards your character and to your co-actors, it is also a responsibility to your audience,” he said.

The actor encouraged aspiring performers to continue learning from life itself, calling experience the greatest teacher in understanding characters and human emotions.

“The biggest university in acting is this life,” Arcilla said, adding that knowing the humanity behind a role allows audiences to connect with stories beyond simple labels or stereotypes.

Arcilla also looked back on his acclaimed portrayal of revolutionary leader General Antonio Luna in the 2015 film Heneral Luna, a role that became a defining moment in his career. More than a decade after the film’s release, he continues to be recognized as “Heneral,” especially by younger viewers introduced to the historical drama through schools and their families.

John Arcilla reflects on craft, audience responsibility, and the life experiences that continue to shape his work on screen and in music 

Apart from acting, Arcilla is exploring music with his debut Star Music single, “Ano Ba ‘Yan, P*nyeta,” a song he described as a reflection on personal and collective responsibility.

“Hindi isa lang ang may kasalanan o dalawa o tatlo. Tayong lahat, ina-allow nating mangyari o tayong lahat, may kanya-kanya tayong dapat ayusin sa sarili natin, sa puso natin, at sa ating isip,” he said.

Arcilla is also preparing his first album featuring theme songs from television projects such as Dirty Linen, Pamilya Sagrado, and The Alibi, along with original compositions.

He is set to appear in upcoming projects, including Lawrence Fajardo’s Beast, Happy Birthday to Me, the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Haunted Carnival, and the finale of The Alibi. He also encouraged listeners to stream “Ano Ba ‘Yan, P*nyeta” on digital music platforms.