Kapuso actor Ruru Madrid shared his touching encounters with the residents of Tondo, Manila.

In his new project, the Kapuso action series Hari ng Tondo, Ruru works once again with Kapuso A-list actor Dennis Trillo.

They first worked together in the movie Green Bones, in which they both got the top acting awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024.

In a recent interview, based on the article in PEP, Ruru was asked who between him and Dennis is the real Hari ng Tondo.

The younger actor just smiled, and then, he said, “Dito ang kagandahan sa programang ito, hindi tayo magke-claim na tayo yung hari ng Tondo. Hayaan natin ang mga tao yung magluluklok sa atin dun.”

One good thing that they experienced was that their taping in Tondo went smoothly. They were treated well by the people of Tondo.

“Ang kagandahan po kasi, every time na nagsu-shoot kami sa Tondo, somehow, parang connected na kami yung istorya sa totoong buhay,” Ruru Madrid said.

If they are shooting Balut, Tondo, their constant location, the and the characters were elevated, and they got closer to people living in the area.

Ruru shared that, for instance, whenever he sees a mother selling goods there, he would always buy up her entire stock, hoping to help them, even in a small way.

The actor was thinking that they might be causing a disturbance. After buying everything, he would give the items away to the people on the set. Ruru realized that they could disrupt the daily routine of the people there because they were using their space.

He also recalled a moment when they entered a narrow alley, and people started coming out. They were surprised when people were carrying speakers and started playing the song ‘Hari ng Tondo.’

“So, sabi ko ang sarap sa pakiramdam na kahit bago pa lang kami dun sa lugar nila, winelcome po kami dun na parang pamilya nila na hindi po kami iba sa kanila,” the actor said.

Ruru Madrid said that the fact that they got this kind of reception from the people even before the series premieres gives them an overwhelming feeling.