RAYVER, MATT AND GLAIZA PURSUE MUSICAL SIDE IN 'SINAGTALA'

"SINAGTALA" ISN'T JUST another musical drama as the actors playing the band bring their real-life musicianship to the inspirational film directed by Mike Sandejas.

- NATHALIE TOMADA

"SINAGTALA" ISN'T JUST another musical drama as the actors playing the band bring their real-life musicianship to the inspirational film directed by Mike Sandejas.

The STAR recently had exclusive interviews with Rayver Cruz, Glaiza de Castro and Matt Lozano, who formed part of the Sinagtala band along with Arci Muñoz and Rhian Ramos.

They didn't just act the part — they performed live, played instruments and bonded like a real band on and off the set.

The story centers around a band — frontman Reggie (Rayver), rhythm guitarist Paola (Glaiza), drummer June (Rhian), lead guitarist Isko (Matt) and bassist Carla (Arci) — and how their friendship helps the members cope with personal and professional struggles. It's now showing in cinemas nationwide.

"The most interesting and most unexpected (thing that happened on set) is nung nagsama-sama kami performing on stage... It was one of the most magical things that I experienced in the film 'Sinagtala,'" Matt shared, recalling that they played live before an actual 1,000-strong concert crowd.

According to Rayver, the chemistry of the band members was also instant. "Hindi ko kasi in-expect na sa first day pa lang (of the shoot)... talagang nabuo agad yung chemistry," said Rayver.

Glaiza added, "Kahit tapos na yung pelikula, pakiramdam namin banda pa rin kami."

This real-life connection somehow made their scenes together feel like genuine jam sessions rather than scripted moments.

Beyond the music, the film's message left a strong impression on the cast. Rayver shared the main takeaway for him from his character's journey, "Always keep fighting. Tatagan mo yung faith mo sa Panginoong Diyos and value the people who love you."

Glaiza's takeaway, on the other hand, was about the fleeting nature of life's emotions: "Yung lungkot, nawawala minsan bumabalik. Ganun rin yung saya... gamitin para sa ikatututo at ikasasaya."