From Black Belts to the Silver Screen: Philippines Brand Ambassadors Prepare for Acting Careers

MANILA, September 12, 2026 — Two Filipino karate black belts are preparing to exchange the competition floor for the film set as part of an ambitious international development programme combining martial arts, advertising and cinema.

Philippines Brand Ambassadors Shey Mael, and Chrisz D’Guzman will undergo professional acting and on-camera training for possible future careers as actors. The programme is being developed by lifestyle personality Noubikko, who envisions the two athletes portraying karate heroes and bringing the remarkable stories of karate masters to the screen.

The planned films would explore the lives, sacrifices and teachings of respected karate figures, presenting not only their physical abilities but also the discipline, humility and character behind their achievements. The project is now being developed subject to production partnerships and the necessary rights and organisational approvals.

“These young men already understand movement, discipline and emotion under pressure,” Noubikko said. “Acting will teach them how to translate those qualities into truthful performances. One day, they may portray the heroes of karate and help preserve the stories of the masters who came before them.”

Two Athletes, Two Emerging Screen Personalities

Their acting development will be conducted in addition to their responsibilities as Philippines Brand Ambassadors. They are expected to participate in karate promotions, youth programmes, demonstrations, interviews and international media campaigns while representing the values of respect, perseverance, self-control and excellence.

The programme will include acting classes, scene study, voice and speech development, emotional interpretation, camera movement, interview coaching and screen-combat preparation. Because the models are already trained karateka, their performances could offer a level of technical authenticity rarely achieved when martial-arts roles are played by actors without extensive dojo experience.

“Karate cannot simply be imitated for the camera,” Noubikko explained. “Every stance, movement and bow carries meaning. These ambassadors already know that language. Acting will help them bring the human story behind it to life.”

Preserving the Stories of Karate Masters

The proposed productions which is now being negotiated with Film Producers are intended to introduce international audiences to the personal journeys behind karate—the difficult training, defining victories, painful defeats and lifelong commitment of its masters and heroes.

Rather than creating action films based only on fighting, Noubikko wants the projects to explore mentorship, honour, faith, sacrifice and the relationship between teacher and student.

“A great karate story is not merely about who wins the final match,” he said. “It is about the years of discipline before that moment, the master who corrected the student and the character that remains after the applause has ended.”

The film combine biography, historical drama and inspirational storytelling, with the two ambassadors considered for leading or supporting roles suited to their developing screen identities.

Noubikko Opens Search for Production Partners

Through Noubikko, RPConnect and the  Associated News Agency will begin looking for strategic partners to support the one-year development programme and the planned screen projects.

Potential partners may include international brands, film producers, broadcasters, streaming platforms, sports organisations, cultural institutions and companies seeking an authentic connection with youth development, martial arts and inspirational storytelling.

Investment opportunities are expected to include acting education, film development, wardrobe, travel, competition preparation, advertising campaigns, international publicity and documentary coverage of the ambassadors’ journey.

The two will also appear as signature models in selected Noubikko advertisements distributed through the Associated News Agency Network.

Noubikko said. “We are looking for partners who believe that discipline can shape young lives and that the stories of karate deserve to be preserved for a new generation.”

For Shey Mael and Chrisz D’Guzman becoming Brand Ambassadors was only the opening scene. Their next challenge is to transform the discipline of the dojo into performances capable of reaching audiences around the world.