On the big screen, he’s doing supporting roles in Regal’s “That Thing Called Tanga Na” as the rival of Eric Quizon over Albie Casino, APT Entertainment’s “Imagine You and Me” with Aldub love team, and in Viva’s “Camp Sawi” with Bela Padilla and Andi Eigenmann. But in the ToFarm Filmfest, he plays the lead role in the entry, “Pauwi Na”, as the leading man of Meryll Soriano, co-starring Bembol Roco and Cherry Pie Picache, directed by Paulo Villaluna.
“Based ito sa true story ng isang mahirap na pamilyang pagod na sa Maynila at gustong umuwi ng Bicol, pero wala silang pamasahe kaya nag-pedicab lang sila all the way home,” he says. “Parang road movie at talagang kinunan namin sa mga highway papuntang Bicol.”
He never expected to hit it big as a comedian. “Kasi mas mukha akong goons, di ba?” he says. “Sa teatro talaga ako nagsimula. I was taking up mechanical engineering sa PLM, pero gusto ko talagang umarte. My first big play was Floy Quintos’ ‘St. Louis Loves them Filipinos’ sa Dulaang UP. Pero napansin ako talaga, sa ‘Magsimula Ka’, na first comedic role ko, followed by ‘Zsa Zsa Zaturnaaah’. Doon nalamang hindi lang ako pang-goons. Sinundan ito ng ‘Caredivas’, another hit PETA play, and then ng ‘Rak of Aegis’, kunsaan nag-click yung tambalan namin ni Aicelle Santos. Blessing talaga sa’kin yun kasi doon ako napansin ng GMA-7 at binigyan na ako ng sunod-sunod na TV shows like ‘Nino’, ‘My Faithful Husband’ and ‘That’s My Amboy’.”
Is he related to the pork barrel scam queen? “No, tinanong ko ang tatay ko kung kamag-anak namin si Janet. Baka makahirit ng balato, e. Pero sabi ng tatay, wag ka nang umasa dahil wala kang maaasahan.”
Does people recognize him in public now? “Nagugulat nga ako, nakikilala na pala ako. Lalo ngayon, bading ang role ko sa ‘Conan My Beautician’ at kontrabida ako kay Mark Herras. Takaw pansin ang ganyang roles, e.”
Is he gay? “No, but I have nothing against gays. There should be no discrimination. Kunsaan masaya ang isang tao, let them be. Let’s respect the LGBT community.”
