And because of his busy sked in the movies, he had to beg off from playing the male lead role in the Atlantis-Viva staging of the musical, “The Addams Family”, where he’s supposed to be reunited with his life inamorata, K-La Rivera, after their successful pairing in “Aladdin”. But of course, when it comes to K-La, he’d rather keep quiet as he wants his private affairs to be truly private.
In “Bekikang”, he plays Fortunato, a promdi who finds a friend in Joey Paras as Bekikang. But just as they’re getting cozy with each other, Tom meets Carla Humphries, a japayuki, and they beget a son, who they leave under the care of Joey who becomes both mom and dad to child actor JM Ibanez. Bekikang loves the boy as his own, but when the boy becomes 10 years old, Tom and Carla suddenly return to get the boy back.
“I’m glad to be part of Joey’s launching movie,” says Tom. “He really deserves it kasi magaling siya, very versatile, puede sa comedy man o sa drama.”
Would he ever fall in love with a gay in real life? “You know, I respect the Lesbian-Gay community and I’m overwhelmed by the success of ‘My Husband’s Lover’. Dahil nga roon ang daming nagtatanong kung ganun ba talaga ako in real life. My answer is, in the 26 years of my life here on earth, I’ve never had feelings for someone with the same sex. But I enjoyed doing this movie with Joey and Direk Wenn Deramas kasi pareho silang masayang kasama. Never a dull moment on the set. I really enjoyed doing this kasi, kung sa ‘My Husband’s Lover’, heavy drama kami’t iyakan nang iyakan, dito naman, tawanan nang tawanan. Mage-enjoy kayong tumawa sa ‘Bekikang’ from beginning to end.”
Joey himself reveals that his first choice as leading man was Dingdong Dantes but Dong was so busy. “Madaling araw, tinext ko si Direk Wenn, gusto ko si Tom Rodriguez. Sinabi niya yun sa Viva at approved sila agad.”
Someone quips: “May pagnanasa ka pala kay Tom.”
“Oo naman, kasi napakaguwapo niya. Kaya nga napakapatok ng ‘My Husband’s Lover’, dahil sa kanya.”
He’s reminded: “Hoy, dahil kay Dennis Trillo rin.”
“O sige, silang dalawa. Pero dahil si Tom ang nandito, e di siya. Napakabait ni Tom. Kahit ngarag at pagod sa taping, laging on time sa set, never nagreklamo, walang arte sa katawan. Di gaya ng iba na parang nandidiri sa bakla. Siya, hindi homophobic at all. Confident siya sa pagkalalaki niya. Sayang lang, di kami binigyan ni Direk ng kissing scene.”
“Ayoko nga,” says Direk Wenn. “Nilo-launch ka na nga dito, naghahanap ka pang mahalikan ka! Tama na.”
