Tiklop lang ako sa isang tao and inenjoy ko na lang young pagkain sa dinner. Then I had to leave na back for Manila. When I got here, I was told na kailangang bumalik ako roon kasi I have a big chance of winning daw. Hindi naman sinabing ako ang nanalo. E kaso, nagte-taping na ako, so hindi na ko pinayagang umalis uli. The award was accepted for me by my friend, Angeli Bayani. Sayang nga, first time kong manalo ng international acting award, I was not there to received my trophy in person. But masaya ang pakiramdam ko kasi ‘Signal Rock’ is the only Filipino entry at nabigyan nito ng karangalan ang bansa natin.”
“Signal Rock” is our country’s entry in the Oscar’s Best Foreign Language Film category. What if it becomes the first Pinoy film to get nominated in the Oscars? “I don’t want to expect anything. Sabi nga ni Direk Chito, si Lord na ang bahala diyan. It a film daw is meant to fly, it will fly, no matter what. So yun na lang. Bahala na si Lord kung ano ang plano niya.”
He’s now happy to do his first romantic comedy, “Recipe for Love”, where he plays Calix, the chef in a top restaurant. He then crosses paths with Cora Waddell as a food blogger who criticizes his cooking. They start on the wrong foot but, ultimately, the get to know each other better and love blossoms between them. How is it working with a newcomer like Cora?
“Intimidated ako noong una kasi mas matangkad siya sa akin,” he says. “But Direk Joey Reyes capitalizes on that kasi tuwing may kissing scene kami, ako yung ipinapakitang tumitingkayad para maabot ko siya. Magaling si Cora, mabait pa. We shared our lives while doing the movie and we formed an unexpected friendship. Masarap siyang katrabaho.”Cora is now officially married to model Terence Lloyd. How about his own lovelife? “Yes, I have someone special. She was my ex-girlfriend, non-showbiz, pero nagkabalikan kami kasi mas naiintindihan na niya ang nature ng trabaho ko ngayon.”
Will he take his girlfriend to the premiere night of “Recipe for Love” on November 19? “Hindi na lang siguro. She’s very private and we both want to keep our relationship low profile and very quiet. It’s better that away kasi hindi naman siya taga-showbiz.”
It’s said that his non-showbiz GF is older than him. “That’s true. I prefer older women because they have more experience and understanding about life. Magandang foundation for a good relationship. I don’t go for relationships that will just lead nowhere.”
#ShowbizPortal #ChristianBables #RecipeForLove
