The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
“Acting is my passion,” said Russell Siayngco, a Filipino living in New Zealand.
“God knows my heart,” he quipped.
When Russell was still in the Philippines, he had a local showbiz stint particularly on television.
Together with one-time actor Marlon Mance, Russell was part of the stable of talents of the late TV and movie director Rusty Sangalang.
Because of his passion for the arts, specifically acting, Siayngco jumpstarted his career as a thespian in New Zealand when he migrated to the Land Down Under.
In no time at all, he was included in the cast of “Miss Saigon” in NZ in 2011 as part of the ensemble, his roles interchanging from being a Vietnamese soldier or Japanese tourist.
In the Hollywood production of “Emperor,” a slice in Japan’s Emperor Hirohito”s life vis-a-vis General Douglas MacArthur that starred Tommy Lee Jones, Russell played a Japanese soldier.
Siayngco got the role when his agent in NZ asked him to audition for the role.
He has done a co-venture film between Reality MM Studios and the Philippine Embassy in NZ in Katski Flores’ “Runaway,” a romantic drama which also features Audie Gemora, MJ Lastomosa, Kit Thompson among others.
At the moment, Siayngco has just wrapped a NZ production of multicultural cast that includes media man Rene Molina who is also at the helm of “Hold On,” a family drama. (Boy Villasanta)