The Special Action Force (SAF) has filed a complaint against Paolo Gumabao and three other actors from the film Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told for wearing SAF uniforms while using TikTok.

“Well, I learned one lesson!” natatawang sambit ni Paolo sa mediacon nitong Nobyembre 7, 2022, Lunes, sa Pandan Asian Cafe, Sct. Limbaga St., Quezon City.

“Hindi na ako magti-TikTok next time pag alam kong may suot akong insignia. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!

“Nag-start yun sa isang TikTok video ko na suot ko yung uniform ng SAF and I was dancing. Ginaya ko yung TikTok ni Joshua Garcia.

“So, na-offend sila dun and I understand naman siyempre. So at least, ako, lesson learned, hindi na po mauulit.

“Well, hindi naman siya lumaki. I’m just glad na hindi siya nag-escalate.

“Gusto kong magpasalamat sa producer naming si Atty. Ferdie Topacio. Kasi si Attorney was very helpful nung time na yun. Tinulungan talaga niya ako, kasi I know nothing about it.

“Nung una, hindi naman pinapansin yung TikTok video ko na yun. Pero nung time na pinu-promote namin yung film about three months ago, nagulat ako na parang…

“May nagpadala sa bahay ng subpoena. Sabi ko, ‘Ano ito, prank?!’ Tinanong ko ang mama ko kung sino ang nagpadala ng ganun, hindi raw nila alam. Nakalagay lang daw dun sa mailbox namin.

“Tapos sakto, may nag-message sa akin sa Instagram ko, one of the talents. Kasi, apat yata kaming pinadalhan. Kaming apat, nag-TikTok kami.

“So, nag-message pala sa akin iyong isang talent. Napagbintangan ko pa tuloy siya na pina-prank ako.

“Sabi ko, ‘Imposible naman ito! Kasi, may approval si Attorney from the SAF. How can this happen?’

“So, ipinadala ko na agad kina Attorney yung subpoena, and inayos naman agad nila. I’m just thankful na naayos na lahat. Na-dismiss yung reklamo.”

Is he nervous?

Paolo answered quickly, “Hindi! Because I have Atty. Topacio by my side! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Atty., Paolo’s next-door neighbor “I love you, too!” says Topacio, with a matching snort.

In addition to Paolo, Edu Manzano and Aljur Abrenica star in the official MMFF 2022 entry, Mamasapano: Now It Can Be Told.

Lester Dimaranan directed the film, which was written by Eric Ramos and produced by Borracho Film Production.

Claudine Barretto, Gerald Santos, Alan Paule, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Jojo Abellana, Ronnie Liang, Myrtle Sarrosa, Ritz Azul, Rez Cortez, Juan Rodrigo, Jojo Alejar, Jim Pebanco, and Tom Olivar are also in the cast.

Also included in Mamasapano: “Now It Can Be Told sina Rico Barrera, Marco Gomez, LA Santos, Marcus Madrigal, Jay Garcia, Rash Flores, AJ Oteyza, Elmo Elarmo, Nathan Cajucom at Carlos Dala.”

Paolo Gumabao was still in the middle of filming Mars Ravelo’s Darna when SAF called him in.

He stated that he was unable to keep up with the talents he TikToked with at the SAF office because he was at the taping at the time and many scenes were being filmed with him, as well as he was celebrating his birthday.

Paolo elaborated, “I missed one day. Nung pumunta ang ibang talents, nung time na yun hindi ako puwede. Kasi nung araw na yun, may taping talaga ako.

“Buong araw, birthday ko yun, hindi ako pinayagan. Na-schedule ng ibang araw, buti naman naayos din,” he added.

He stated that he understood the SAF personnel, so despite being interrupted at work, he had to go explain, and it was good that it was resolved.

“Hindi naman sa abala, naintindihan ko rin naman yung side nila. Like I said kanina, hindi na mauulit. Natuto na ako. No more TikToks with insignias,” he stated.

That is why it is safer to remain nàked.

“Dapat pala, nakabůhad na lang, ‘no? Kung kailan pa ako nagsuot na balot na balot na damit, dun pa ako napadalhan ng ano….” He laughs at his own remark.

But Paolo is grateful that he was able to join Mamasapano because he was able to experience soldier life in just a few days of shooting. He stated that what they went through was extremely difficult, especially during the battle.

He described the difficulties he faced while filming.

“Nung time na sinyut namin yun, nakabilad kami sa araw. Tapos totoong baril ang gamit namin, so mabigat.

“Nagku-crawl kami sa sahig, ang bigat. Grabe yung shoulders ko nun, sore na sore,” he stated.

That’s why he claimed it was more difficult to strip in Mamasapano than in the film.

“Nag-enjoy ako sa shoot talaga, kasi matagal ko nang pangarap ang pelikulang ganun, e.

“At the same time, totoong baril yung gamit namin na pumuputok talaga, pag inaano mo yung trigger, pero blangko.

“Pumuputok siya, may clash, pero walang lumalabas na bala. So, feel na feel mo talaga yung recoil ng baril.

“E, yung hůbad, nakahůbad lang,” he stated.

What is the current status of the case involving the use of the SAF uniform in the film? Is there anything the SAF can say about this?

What new insights and lessons can we glean from this incident?

Paolo did not delete the aforementioned TikTok video, which is why he received a subpoena for the first time.

Paolo has no regrets about his roles as a stripper in the films Lockdown, Sisid, and Silip sa Apoy.

Working with the seasoned directors of these films, Joel Lamangan, Brillante Mendoza, and Mac Alejandre, he learned a lot.

As previously stated, he is willing to front the film again as long as it is shown in Cannes.

Paolo’s dream role would be to play a person suffering from mental illness, similar to his father’s role in the 1981 film Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit?, co-starring Nora Aunor.

If it’s ever remade and he’s the lead, Jodi Sta can play his “Nora Aunor.” Is it Maria or Kathryn Bernardo?

Paolo also admitted that he has yet to visit his father in prison, despite the fact that he is permitted to do so on special occasions such as birthdays and Christmas.

The reason was still that he was on the Darna tape for an unknown amount of time.

Paolo is currently unattached. He and his previous girlfriend split up in September.

It’s also fine with him that his Christmas will be cold because he’ll be spending it with his family in Virac, Catanduanes.