Ready for battle: ‘Incognito’ cast trained like soldiers in four-month boot camp
The cast of the action series “Incognito” underwent a grueling four-month training camp, designed to replicate the preparation of soldiers gearing up for battle.
Their days were packed with physically demanding routines: martial arts, tactical gun training, endurance running, and weightlifting. But the camp, set up inside the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City, wasn’t just about building strength, said actor Ian Veneracion. “The cast didn’t just train; we lived the experience, preparing for intense stunts and learning how to move and think like real soldiers,” Veneracion pointed out.
For other actors, like Maris Racal, this was a completely new challenge. “There were so many firsts for me during the four months of training,” she said. “I never thought I could do all those things. Everyone pushed themselves to the limit.”
The rigorous training also strengthened camaraderie among the cast, said Anthony Jennings. “War games, tactical drills, and long hours together helped us bond as a team,” he explained. “It was normal for us to get bumps and bruises—and even to fall from something.”
Pain and hard work
Some of the most physically taxing moments included filming scenes submerged in water for up to 12 hours. Yet, no one complained, said director Lester Pimentel Ong. To support the cast, the production team provided personal trainers, nutritionists, and military consultants.
Ong described the experience as “an athlete or soldier’s camp.” He explained: “We wanted the cast to feel the pain and hard work it takes to prepare for battle. We also highlighted Filipino martial arts, including knife fighting, sword fighting, and hand-to-hand combat. The cast even trained in close quarters combat under military consultants. They guided even us directors on shooting realistic battles.”
Veneracion plays Greg Paterno, a seasoned tactician with a long military history and a knack for negotiation. “Greg is the team’s strategist,” Veneracion explained. “He has unresolved personal issues, which unfold throughout the series. What’s great about the series is that it’s not just action—every character has their own journey.” He added that the role was physically demanding, requiring him to focus on endurance. “Basketball was my go-to workout to stay fit for the action scenes.”
Daniel Padilla takes on the role of Andres Malvar, an Igorot and discharged Scout Ranger. “Andres is grounded and very human. He’s a compassionate guy,” Padilla said. When asked about the challenges of the role, he said, “I’ve worked with Direk Lester before on ‘La Luna Sangre,’ but this was different. For this, you start your day with action and run on adrenaline throughout the day. The stunts were tough, but accomplishing them made us all feel fulfilled.” Padilla prepared for the role with Muay Thai and basketball to build strength and stamina.
Racal’s character, Gabriela Rivera, is a master of hand-to-hand combat and infiltration. “She’s a ‘honeypot’ and a spy, someone who can adapt to any situation,” Racal said. “She even speaks many languages.”
The boot camp had her doing things she never knew she could do. “It was tough—I even had to gain weight to keep up physically.”
Mental toughness
Kaila Estrada portrays Max Alvero, a skilled hacker. “Max is all business. She’s kind of stoic,” Estrada said. “She is technically gifted but also physically trained. The guns and gear we carried were heavy, so I focused on strength training for the role. Our intense team training really helped us connect as a group.”
Jennings plays Tomas Guerrero, a brave but troubled character who didn’t complete military training because of personal issues. “Tomas is brave but has loose hinges,” he joked. Recalling his experience while training, Jennings added, “We did war games, tactical drills, and martial arts. The training made us all feel like soldiers.”
Baron Geisler portrays Miguel Tecson, the team’s sniper and medic. “Miguel has various skill sets and is a big asset to the group,” Geisler explained. “He also helps explain issues like addiction and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Viewers will learn a lot from Miguel.”
Richard Gutierrez plays Jose “JB” Bonifacio, a discharged Navy SEAL on a mission to redeem himself. “JB is very competitive and mission-oriented,” Gutierrez said. “He comes from a family of military men. We worked with some of the best military consultants and trained like real soldiers. On off days, we played basketball to build camaraderie.”
Through rigorous preparation, the cast not only transformed their bodies but also developed the mental toughness and teamwork. As Veneracion put it, “This isn’t just an action series. Each character has a journey, and we’ve all worked hard to bring them to life.”
“Incognito,” produced by ABS-CBN under Star Creatives, began airing on the Kapamilya Channel on Jan. 20. It’s also no. 1 on Netflix’s list of Top 10 TV shows in the Philippines.
