Kiko Estrada pushes physical and emotional limits for ‘Totoy Bato’

With his previous and present works in “Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa” and “Totoy Bato,” Kiko Estrada has shown his promise and potential as a leading man and an action star.

He is the kind of actor who can thrive in the drama and action genre. That’s why he fits the bill to play the Carlo J. Caparas character, Totoy Bato, whose story began in a graphic novel and then crossed over to film and TV as a drama sports series and now a drama-action.

“The character is a kid who grew up without a mother’s love and who grew up with a father who became a drunkard,” said Kiko in a virtual interview with The STAR.

“So, imagine a young guy growing up without warmth, without love. So, every avenue that (the character) has, he tries to find acceptance and find people who will accept and love him for who he is,” added he.

Having been immersed in the lifeworld of Totoy, Kiko shared that “it’s a character study about people being abused” and the repercussions that come with it and how they deal with their reality.

Totoy is being beaten up by his father, who has an addiction to liquor and is reminded of the void left by his wife every time he sees their son.

However, the father still cares for Totoy, who also remains strong and resilient about his unique familial relationship, as past episodes show.

“You know you’ve been acting for the past 12 years and then you never thought it would come one day,” said Kiko about starring in “Lumuhod Ka sa Lupa” and being the lead actor as a manna from showbiz heaven.

Headlining a project is a dream of every young star, who patiently waits for the right time to come as he or she learns the ropes of acting.

Viva top executive Vic del Rosario saw the potential of Kiko, as one may put it, and the rest is history.

He said that the former showed his value and talked to him.

“He made me believe and then I believed,” said Kiko. “And then ‘Lumuhod’ came and I was like ito na ata yun (this was perhaps the opportunity that I had been waiting for). Ibibigay ko ang lahat… hundred ten percent no matter what (I would give my all and my 110 percent).”

With that enthusiasm and commitment, it was no surprise that the small-screen adaptation of “Totoy Bato” landed in his lap.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to get the job done and do it really, really nice para mag-enjoy yung mga tao, para mapasaya ko sila (for viewers to have an enjoyable watching time and entertain them),” said he.

Kiko also shared that when a dream project arrives, one should be ready for it. Heard it from an industry colleague, he considers acting “not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

So, a newbie must be receptive to learning and pace everything well.

What can televiewers anticipate in the unfolding story of “Totoy Bato”?

“Yung conflict niya sa tatay niya, kung paano sila mag-interact kasi para silang aso’t pusa (the conflict between him and his dad and how they interact. They’re like dog and cat),” said Kiko. “Then, suddenly, there’s time they are OK with each other. You know the roller coaster ride and journey (of them as father and son).”

Doing scenes that display the tenderness and loving nature of Totoy and his father is exciting for Kiko. Totoy longs for a genuine acceptance from his dad, who still straddles between the before — the passing of his wife — and the now — living cordially with his child.

“There’s also the friendship between Dwayne, played by Diego Loyzaga, and Totoy,” said Kiko, adding that the characters’ families are quarrelling. “Paano nila ipaglalaban ang tunay na pagkakaibigan na yun (how they will fight for their friendship and the latter to withstand it), and siyempre kung paano i-a-acknowledge yung pagmamahal na binibigay nung character ni Bea, who is Emerald, (there’s a bit where Totoy has to consider whether to acknowledge or not the love given to him by Emerald, portrayed by Bea Binene.). Ang dami niyang pinagdadaanan sa buhay (he is going through a lot in life).”

As an actor, Kiko understands the personal and even communal contexts of Totoy for viewers to stay in the loop and be engaged.

“Totoy Bato” airs weeknights at 7:15 on TV5 and at 8 p.m. on Sari Sari Channel.