I don’t recall the exact moment I first noticed Mig Macario, but I’m sure it was connected to Hallmark, and it probably was through another Vancouver actor. Mig is extremely active in supporting his fellow peers in the business, and they recognize that Mig’s positive, peaceful persona extends far beyond the movie/TV set. For quite some time, Mig and I have been attempting to schedule an interview, and finally, in anticipation of today’s Hallmark Movies & Mysteries premiere, we were able to make it work!
RH: Please tell us a little of your backstory and how you became an actor.
MM: I guess I always had the desire deep down when I was younger to perform. I would reluctantly be put in plays in elementary school and it did help build my confidence because believe it or not, there was a time I was quite shy.
In high school, I joined the drama club and there was this one performance where a woman named Carole Tarlington, who ran the Vancouver Youth Theater at the time, was seated at the back of the theater, and I was apparently the only one she could hear from so far away. There weren’t a lot of diverse actors at the time; she gave me such a wonderful opportunity and offered me a scholarship to be part of the youth theater. At the same time, the film industry in Vancouver was starting to take off.
When I was around sixteen, I told my dad that I wanted to be an actor. He was a little concerned and said that there were no “brown people” on TV. I was unphased, took it as a challenge and told him that I’d be one of the first ones! A few months later, I started booking work and now with over thirty years in the film and TV industry, I haven’t looked back. Although the journey was not one straight, easy line, there were many valuable and sometimes not so easy lessons along the way for sure.
What was your first professional work in the TV/film industry, and what are your memories of those jobs?
My first jobs were on an improvised teen soap and 21 Jump Street the TV series.
The teen soap was called Fifteen and aired on the Disney channel. The auditions were grueling. Thousands of kids tried out; I initially auditioned through a talent agency at first and didn’t get in. They said not to attempt going to the open calls because they would know. I went anyway, used my full Filipino name instead, which they didn’t recognize, so I got to audition again. We had to improvise scenes they gave us and then would split us into two different groups each round. One group stayed; the other group got sent home. I made it through what felt like about a million cuts until there were thirteen of us left, and we were the cast. It paid me nothing, but it was more about the artistic challenge of knowing I could do it.
After that, auditioning for 21 Jump Street was a little easier. I read for them once and then got cast. It was pretty cool because they actually shot the episode at my high school and people were wondering how I got a part on the show!
Viewers may remember you from your recurring role in Once Upon A Time. What was it like being a part of such an iconic show like that? Why do you believe the popularity of the show continued for so many seasons?
Once Upon A Time
Playing Bashful on Once Upon A Time was a dream job. The first time I saw myself in the prosthetic makeup, I didn’t even recognize myself. I learned so much from all the amazing talent on the show–in front of and behind the camera. The rhythm of what a popular network is like and also met some amazing fans that ended up becoming friends. You know who you are!
I think Once Upon A Time was a show that was needed at the time. It brought so much hope and a fresh take on these characters, how to connect fairy tales to the modern world. It also brought families, generations together. It’s rare to have that kind of magic and chemistry on the show. I will always cherish the memories from working on Once. That show created so much value for the world and grateful to have been part of it.
I believe All Things Valentine was your first Hallmark movie. Before working with this network, how familiar were you with the films and shows from Hallmark? Why do you believe this network has experienced such unprecedented growth over the past few years?
A lot of my friends worked on Hallmark shows so I knew a lot about them and how much fun they had working on the shows.
With Gary Harvey
All Things Valentine was such a special experience for me because my friend Gary Harvey was also directing and it was one of his first projects back after battling cancer. So when we saw each other, it was such a deeply emotional experience.
I think the network has experienced such growth because like Once Upon A Time, it’s a place where people can get a break from the 24-hour news cycle and from so much negativity in the world.
I also like how the network in a short amount of time has expanded in terms of the diversity of characters in lead roles, and I have faith this trend will continue.
In more recent times, you have been seen on the popular shows Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T. What was your experience like working with those shows?
S.W.A.T.
Both were phenomenal experiences. The whole team at S.W.A.T. were so warm and welcoming. The episode I shot really looked at the immigration experience for Filipinos. It was so rewarding being able to speak Tagalog on the show and loved that they didn’t have subtitles when I spoke my mother tongue.
As for Criminal Minds, I was so excited to be on a classic show that has been around for so long. Everyone was so friendly as well. I was so blessed to be able to work on such amazing shows my first year in LA.
You are a part of the upcoming mystery series featuring Taylor Cole entitled The Ruby Herring Mysteries. What can you tell us about your involvement with the series and your role?
Behind-the-scenes
Ruby Herring Mysteries
I had such a blast working on The Ruby Herring Mysteries. Taylor Cole is so open, warm, fun and talented. We had an instant bond, which is great because we play best friends. Actually, the whole cast bonded immediately. We all had great chemistry and camaraderie. One of the actors one set was amazed to see all the actors greeting each other with hugs on set.
I really like what my character Derek represents on the show and feel the joy that he brings connects all the other characters. That’s all I’m going to say. You guys will have to watch it and I guarantee it will be a good time! GO RUBIES!
Any other upcoming works you can mention?
YES, a couple more things to watch for! There’s a really fun commercial that I did a couple of months ago that’s airing on social media outlets where I dance joyfully. When I worked on it, all I could think was “Is this for real? I get to dance with abandon all day and get paid? I love my job!”
I also got to do a film with another stellar cast, which drops on Feb. 1 on Netflix called Velvet Buzzsaw, directed by Dan Gilroy. I got to play and collaborate with Jake Gyllenhaal and Toni Collette amongst other talented heavyweights like Rene Russo, John Malkovich, Daveed Diggs and became fast friends with Zawe Ashton who slays in this film. It’s this lush, fresh, thriller about the LA art scene and how commerce can impact it. When I first read the script, I was blown away about how different and brave the writing was. I’m so excited for everyone to see it!
I know that there are humanitarian/charitable causes that you feel strongly about. Please tell us anything you would like to about these.
Thanks for asking me about this question. A lot of my causes I support are really based on fighting for human dignity. I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for twenty years with the SGI (Soka Gakkai International), an organization based on peace, culture and education with a focus on raising empowered youth. I have an amazing mentor in Daisaku Ikeda, current president of the SGI.
I’ve also volunteered for The Alzheimer’s Association and Typhoon relief with Volunteer for the Visayans in the Philippines. Both are great organizations that promote human dignity in different ways.
With 2019 now in full swing, what are your goals/aspirations for this year?
I want to keep building on the momentum of the great stories and projects that I’ve been fortunate to work on this past year. To consistently keep doing films and TV shows that keep putting out a great message, that unites people instead of dividing them.
I want to thank you and your readers for supporting my creative journey.
Mig Macario Credit: ©2018 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster
While you may be unfamiliar with Mig’s name, you are probably somewhat familiar with his works. I am pleased to see him making his way in this business that has become increasingly open to diversity in recent years. However, Mig’s attitude is one of the best, and he made the decision that even though it was rare to see a variety of cultures portrayed on the screen when he entered the industry, he resolved that he would be one of the first. He is an ideal example of someone who did not permit narrow-mindedness and potential rejection to keep him from pursuing his passions. Moreover, his dedication to humanitarian causes is a noble, authentic gesture that demonstrates his willingness to be more than just a day player on the screen. He is a well-rounded, humble individual whose desire is to make the world a better place through whatever means possible, and that is one of many attributes that I strongly appreciate about him.
If you are able to, I am hopeful that my U.S. readers will tune into Hallmark Movies & Mysteries tonight (1/20) for the premiere of Ruby Herring Mysteries: Silent Witness. (While I don’t see a Canadian premiere date as of yet, my fingers are crossed that one will be announced soon.) Additionally, if you are so inclined, I would invite you to check out Mig’s links below and follow him on Instagram. He regularly keeps his followers apprised of his upcoming works, and you can also depend upon Mig for a myriad of inspirational thoughts and sentiments that may cause you to view the world in a much more compassionate light. I am honored to be able to share him with my readers today, and it is my sincere desire that many will make the decision to support him in everything he does!
FOLLOW MIG
