Aquino Plotado considers new project with Enzo Pineda anew

After the triumph of the short film As the Call So the Echo at the 11th Emirates Film Festival, producer Aquino Plotado has been driven to create more high-quality short and long-format films.

In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Aquino expressed his newfound motivation: “Following the success of As the Call So the Echo, I’m more inspired than ever to continue creating.

“My goal is to produce more short films and eventually full-length feature films that can compete on the international stage.

“I aim to build a strong portfolio of award-winning works that reflect both artistic excellence and powerful storytelling.

“Through Aquino Plotado Film International, I want to elevate Filipino talent and stories, and bring them to a global audience.”

When asked about his experience working with Enzo, Aquino had only praise for the actor, despite not having met him in person.

“From the very beginning, I was looking for a long-term collaboration with an actor who not only has strong acting skills and talent but also the right attitude and work ethic.

“Enzo delivered on all fronts. While I wasn’t physically present during the shoot, the feedback from my director and the entire production team was overwhelmingly positive.

“Our Zoom meeting further confirmed what I already sensed, he’s polite, professional, and deeply committed to his craft.”

AQUINO PLOTADO: RECEIVING AWARDS

During the festival, the film received accolades including Best Actor for Enzo Pineda and Best Director for Rusty Palacio Guarin.

For Aquino, these recognitions affirms their mission to tell meaningful stories and support Filipino artists globally, inspiring them to elevate Filipino cinema further.

In his words: “These awards are incredibly significant, not just for Enzo Pineda and Rusty Palacio Guarin, but for all of us at Aquino Plotado Film International.

“As our first produced film, As the Call So the Echo represents more than just a creative project because it symbolizes a bold step into the world of filmmaking for our new company.

“For Enzo to receive Best Actor and Rusty to be recognized as Best Director is a powerful affirmation of the talent and vision we brought together for this film.

“It reinforces our mission to tell compelling, meaningful stories and to support exceptional Filipino artists on the global stage.

“These honors inspire us to continue pushing boundaries and elevating Filipino cinema.”

Aquino was recently honored at the renowned Global Filipino Icon Awards 2025 in Dubai on April 5, 2025, receiving the Star Icon Award for Outstanding Filipino Entrepreneur in the fields of Property and Entertainment.

He shared the spotlight with fellow Filipino luminaries, including Arci Muñoz, Sheryl Cruz, Thirdy Ravena, and Michael Cinco, making the recognition especially meaningful to him.

Talking about the award, he said: “It’s truly an honor to be recognized alongside such accomplished and inspiring individuals like Arci Muñoz, Sheryl Cruz, Thirdy Ravena, Shereen Ahmed, Troy Laureta, Chef JP Anglo, Harvey Cenit, Ron Awa, and the iconic fashion designer Michael Cinco.

“Each of them has made remarkable contributions in their respective fields, and to be counted among them is both humbling and motivating.

“This recognition is not just a personal achievement because it’s a reminder of the responsibility to continue striving for excellence and to represent our community with pride and purpose.”

NEXT PROJECT

Although Enzo couldn’t make it to Dubai to accept his award, Aquino was so impressed by his performance that he’s already considering him for the lead role in his next film project.

And he is also excited about the prospect of future collaborations with Enzo and other talented Filipino actors.

The Dubai-based film producer told PEP, “His award-winning performance in ‘As the Call So the Echo’ has solidified my decision to have him as the lead in all of my future film projects.

“Enzo embodies everything I value in a leading actor, and I’m excited to continue this creative journey with him.”

Aquino is already preparing for his next film project, and similar to his work on As the Call So the Echo, he aims to produce films that address social issues.

He said, “As someone who is naturally competitive and driven, I’m always looking to raise the bar.

“Following the success of my first produced film, I’m now preparing to take things to the next level by producing a full-length feature.

“This next project will explore timely and relevant social issues, including topics like politics, the LGBTQ+ experience, and other real-world challenges that audiences can deeply connect with.

“My goal is not just to match, but to surpass what we’ve achieved with our debut film.

“I also plan to collaborate with a diverse mix of international actors to bring a broader global perspective, especially during a time when the film industry is evolving and facing new challenges.

“I have more projects in the pipeline, each one bold, unique, and designed to resonate with today’s audiences.”

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