Lance Joseph Martinez

Lester Pimentel Ong Shares the Inspiration Behind His Upcoming Netflix Film “The Delivery Rider”

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<p>Recently, <strong>ABS-CBN</strong> wrapped up its hit television series<em><strong> </strong></em><a href="https://metro.style/lifestyle/people/2025/1/15/metro-style-digital-cover-kicking-off-2025-with-the-powerhouse-cast-of-incognito-1951"><strong><em>Incognito</em></strong></a>. Since its premiere in January 2025 until its finale, the action-drama consistently ranked among the Top 10 most-watched shows on <strong>Netflix Philippines</strong><em></em>.</p><p>While the series gained attention for its gripping storyline, its standout feature was undeniably the action sequences—something the cast credited to one of their directors, <a href="https://metro.style/metro-style/people/2025/7/9/-incognito-director-lester-pimentel-ong-and-his-roles-in-the-entertainment-and-food-scenes-0715"><strong>Lester Pimentel Ong</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759987908223tempImage1OaIHY.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Lance Joseph Martinez</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Director Lester’s career is one of the most remarkable transitions in the local entertainment industry. From being an award-winning national wushu athlete—a Chinese martial art once commonly referred to as kung fu—he became a filmmaker whose work now highlights his martial arts expertise.</p><p>He previously won gold medals at the <strong>1995</strong> <strong>World Wushu Championships</strong>, the <strong>2005</strong> <strong>Southeast Asian Games</strong>, and the <strong>2006 World Traditional Wushu Championships</strong>.</p><p>Today, he channels his mastery of movement and discipline into directing, often focusing on action-packed projects. One of his most anticipated works to date is the upcoming Netflix film <em><strong>The Delivery Rider</strong></em>, starring <strong>Jake Cuenca</strong> and <strong>Baron Geisler</strong>.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfleEBEblG/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A765733.0000000001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Based on its trailer shown during a media conference earlier this week, the film delivers what fans expect from Lester—intense, well-crafted action. But this time, it introduces a fresh perspective, with Baron portraying <strong>Santo</strong>, a highly functional father who is on the autism spectrum.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with <strong>Metro.Style</strong>, Director Lester shared how he and his team conceptualized <em>The Delivery Rider</em>.</p><p>“So, <em>noong kino-</em>conceptualize <em>namin ito </em>[<em>The Delivery Rider</em>]<em>, </em>we were trying to look for a story that is very unique, <em>na hindi pa naiku-kwento, </em>and then, <em>nag-isip din kami ng mga kwentong malapit sa puso namin</em>,” he revealed.</p><p>Drawing from personal experience as a father to a child on the spectrum, Lester said he wanted to tell a story that represents families like his.</p><p>“<em>Ako naman bilang isang </em>father<em> ng isang </em>children with special needs, <em>naisip ko, bigyan ng kwento kung ano ang p&#x27;wedeng kwento tungkol sa mga bagay na kailangan nila at ano ang mga</em> hopes and dreams <em>namin </em>as parents <em>para sa kanila</em>,” he shared.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPiythikZl5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A797207%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="511" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>He further explained that his daughter, who is on the spectrum, played a vital role in shaping the film’s theme and message, as he wanted to make people like her more visible in the media.</p><p>“So, <em>nakaisip kami ng isang kwento tungkol sa isang taong </em>on<em></em> the spectrum of autism, <em>pero</em> highly functional <em>siya </em>and<em> </em>very competent <em>siya sa mga bagay na ginagawa niya</em>,” he added.</p><p>Director Lester also discussed his creative vision for the project, emphasizing their goal from the very beginning.</p><p>“We want to up the level of action here, so we want to make a film and thought of a way, how can a person on the spectrum of autism do an action film—be in an action movie. So,<em> ito ‘yun ang</em><em> The Delivery Rider</em>,” he shared.</p><p>Having checked off one of his aspirations as a director through this Netflix project, Lester also revealed some of the genres he hopes to explore in the future, as long as they remain socially relevant.</p><p>“<em>Ako</em>, I’m hoping to do a movie about family, <em>p&#x27;wedeng</em> <em>hindi</em> action, <em>p&#x27;wedeng</em> action family drama. I’m hoping to do a movie about comedy. Something that will entertain the people, <em>pero sana laging may</em> social relevance,” he said.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDY5P1xz56z/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A879190%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="611" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Another dream project he envisions is a Filipino film that can reach international audiences. “<em>Ang</em> dream project <em>ko talaga</em> is something that can be shown overseas, <em>ma-</em>appreciate<em> ng mga tao sa ibang bansa, hindi lang ng mga Pilipino, kung hindi ng mga ibang lahi</em>,” he shared.</p><p>As he wrapped up, the director expressed his hope for greater global recognition for Filipino talent.</p><p>“I hope one day that we are given an opportunity to showcase the talent of a Filipino artist and all the Filipino film workers and film directors, film producers. I think we deserve that,” he concluded.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-6" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPfvM3jkWtH/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A6%2C%22os%22%3A915288%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-6" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>Lance Joseph Martinez</strong></p>

<p>In an exclusive sit-down with Metro.Style, director Lester Pimentel Ong detailed how he and his team conceptualized the upcoming Netflix film, <i>“The Delivery Rider.”</i></p>

In an exclusive sit-down with Metro.Style, director Lester Pimentel Ong detailed how he and his team conceptualized the upcoming Netflix film, “The Delivery Rider.”

Lester Pimentel Ong on the Inspiration Behind His Upcoming Netflix Film 'The Delivery Rider'

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Lester Pimentel Ong on the Inspiration Behind His Upcoming Netflix Film 'The Delivery Rider'

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published October 09, 2025 04:00 PM PHT

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Updated October 09, 2025 04:44 PM PHT

Read More:

Lester Pimentel Ong

The Delivery Rider

Incognito

Martial Arts

Jake Cuenca

Baron Geisler

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