He has also done several films and won the Cinemalaya and Golden Screen best actor awards in 2011 for his fine portrayal of the lead character in the indie film, “Ligo na U, Lapit na Me”. He currently plays one of the two lead roles in the Metro-Manila Filmfest entry, “Dedma Walking”, where he and Joross Gamboa play gay best friends.
“I’ve played gay roles several times before, sa movies in ‘I Do Bidoo’ and ‘Working Beks’, sa TV in two episodes of ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’,” he says. “But this is the loudest gay character I’ve played so far, flamboyant talaga siya, malandyi. I’m a theatre actor here na part ng Crying Divas, with Ricci Chan and Jojit Lorenzo as mga kasama ko sa grupo ng drag performers. Iniipit ko ang manhood ko kapag nagpe-perform kaming naka-gown at sobrang hirap pala noon. Best friend ko si Joross and when he learned he’s dying, ako ang kinasabwat niya to stage his fake death and wake para malaman niya ang tunay na feelings ng mga tao about him sa eulogy para sa kanya.”Those who’ve seen the film says he’s really good. Does he expect to win another acting award for this? “No. I would like to win kasi matagal na since the last time I won for the stage play ‘Bona’ sa Aliw Awards. I miss the feeling nung nananalo ka, but I’m not expecting to win. Basta I did my best at bahala na ang jurors.”
It’s easy for him to play a gay role since he has a gay brother in real life. “I love him and respect him so much. I’m really proud of him. Through him, I’ve known how a gay person truly loves and nalaman ko rin kung paano tanggapin at mahalin ang isang gay.”
He used to clash a lot with his manager, Noel Ferrer, about his girlfriend then at TV5, Shaira Mae de la Cruz, but they’ve since broken up.
“I have no lovelife now. I want to devote all my time sa career ko kasi nagpapagawa ako ng bagong bahay. Hopefully, by next year, makalipat kami ng family ko sa aming new house. I realized na tama ang manager ko, no need na magmadali sa lovelife at marami pang ibang opportunities na darating for me.”
