MARTIN DEL ROSARIO has been very convincing in his gay roles in films like “Born Beautiful” and “The Panti Sisters” that some folks really questioned his gender.
But he won acting awards for his performances in those films.
Now, anyone who doubts his masculinity should watch him in his role as Prince Zardoz, the leader of the Boazanians and main antagonist in “Voltes V Legacy”.
How did he get the role?
“Like most other members of the show’s cast, I joined the auditions for ‘Voltes V Legacy’,” he says. “My parents were elated when I told them that I was asked to audition as they have seen the original ‘Voltes V’.
"When I took the audition, I got nervous kasi andami namin. Tapos when they gave the script to me, lalo akong kinabahan at ang hahaba ng lines in Tagalog that I’m supposed to deliver.”
He gave it his best shot then decided to just forget about it, thinking he might not be considered to be a part of the cast.
“But to my surprise, months later, I got a call saying that I got the role of Prince Zardoz and I was so happy because his role as the show’s top villain is quite iconic for Voltes V followers. He wants to conquer Planet Earth.”
He wants to thank the show’s director, Mark Reyes, for allowing him to have freedom in interpreting the role.
“Ayoko kasing maging stereotypical villain lang siya na sobrang sama,” he adds.
“I want to humanize him, para the viewers will see his own inner struggles, his insecurity and where his anger is coming from.
"At the root of the story is the conflict between a family. Kasi, ang mga bida ritong sina Miguel Tanfelix, Matt Lozano and Rafael Landicho or the Armstrong brothers, actually, mga kapatid ko rin sila.
"We have the same father, Dennis Trillo. But we have different mothers as my mother is Max Collins and their mom is Carla Abellana.”
When you watch the series that starts showing on May 8, then you will understand the secrets of each character in “Voltes V Legacy.”
In the show, Martin is paired with Liezel Lopez as Zandra, his assistant. She is secretly in love with him but he’s quite oblivious of her, but their love story will later be developed, which didn’t happen in the original Japanese cartoon version.
Martin underwent rigorous training before shooting started.
“I watched the anime version at malaking tao si Zardoz, so I had to work out para mas lumaki yung katawan ko,” he says.
“I also had a lot of costume fitting para makita kung ano ang mas babagay sa akin as Zardoz.
"Pati yung mga sungay ko, kailangang saktong-sakto ang pagkakakabit sa ulo ko. And I tried to make my treatment of the role more human and not mala-cartoon or anime.”
He had a good time shooting the show on a lock in set as they did it during the pandemic.
“All of us became close with each other kasi nga magkakasama kami lagi sa set in various locations.
"It was fun, we became a family and we were all sad when we finally completed our work at maghihiwalay na kami.
"But now that it’s showing in theaters, we’re glad that viewers flocked into it. Puno raw lagi ang mga sinehan.
"And on May 8, we are excited as the whole series will start airing on GMA Telebabad right after the newscast, ‘24 Oras’, at 8 PM. Sa wakas, three years of hard work, mapapanood nyo na po.”
Martin was originally a Kapamilya but he moved to GMA-7 ten years ago and he has no regrets.
“I’m really thankful being a Kapuso, and now, being managed by GMA Sparkle. I’d like to thank GMA for all the good projects they gave me through the years.
"I just renewed my contract with them and I dream of staying long in the business.
"I love acting so kahit tumanda na ako, I see myself still acting and doing roles appropriate for my age."
