MARTIN DEL ROSARIO says he himself was very surprised when his name was called as the winner of the best actor award in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) awards night held at One Esplanade. This is for his portrayal of the gay Daniel in the PPP certified topgrosser. “The Panti Sisters”, which is extended up to now in several theaters on its 4th week.
“I’ve won awards as best supporting actor but this is my first best actor award, so I felt dizzy at nanginig talaga ako when I heard my name being called,” he says. “I was at a loss for words kasi hindi ko ine-expect na mananalo ako and I was not able to prepare any speech. I felt na hindi lang ako ang nanalo kundi kaming tatlo ng sisters kong sina Christian Bables and Paolo Ballesteros.
"Honestly, kami naman kasi talagang lahat ang gumaganap sa title role ng ‘The Panti Sisters’, so dapat lang na i-share ko ang award ko sa kanila. Kaming tatlo ang panalo rito. Mas masaya nga sana kung ginawang tie kaming tatlo dahil for me, walang kang itatapon sa acting namin bilang magkakapatid na bading na nagpapatalbugan para makuha ang inheritance nilang P300 million from their dying dad.”
They’re all happy that the movie is well received by the public in general. “Kahit saan ako magpunta, very positive ang feedback and reception sa pelikula namin. At lahat, sinasabi sa’kin, ang cute-cute mo, ang ganda-ganda mo sa movie. So we’re all overwhelmed and feel proud of ‘The Panti Sisters’. They’re all requesting na magka-Part 2 daw.”
But of course, some people now really doubt his masculinity. How does he feel about it? “Well, it means, very convincing talaga ang performance ko, so okay lang. And I’m glad kasi sa bago kong teleserye sa GMA-7, ‘The Gift’, kontrabida naman ang role ko as the bully, Jared.
"I’m a young politician here na arogante, abusado, at inaapi ko si Alden Richards as Sep, without knowing na half brothers pala kami as we have the same mother, si Jean Garcia. Actually, dahil sa akin kaya nabaril sa ulo si Alden as Sep at nabulag.”
Isn’t he afraid that Alden’s millions of fans will bash him for oppressing him in the show?
“Ay, sigurado na yan, given na yan. I’m sure maraming maiinis sa akin. But I’m glad to be given the chance to play a role na totally opposite sa gay roles na ginagawa ko. Dito, brusko naman ako, lalaking-lalaki, kontrabida kay Alden and it will show that I’m capable of playing different kinds of role at hindi puro kabaklaan lang. We’re all happy in ‘The Gift’ kasi laging nagte-trending worldwide ang show namin, which means marami talagang nagkaka-interest manood dito.”