MARCO AND I

Marco Gumabao

As I write this entry, I am actually listening to Christina Aguilera’s “I Turn To You” song, and one name popped out of my head…

I remember the first time I heard the name Marco Gumabao sa isang meeting for a bew serye, back in 2011. “Who is he?” “Anak ni Dennis Roldan.” And I was like, “ah ok.” Then, “Luv U” premiered in February last year. My reaction was, “yan pala siya? Kamukha ni Justin Bieber!” Not that I don’t like Justin, pero hindi ko talaga feel si Marco. Ang totoy. Pero three months later, sa pa-birthday ni Ms. Linggit Tan for the TV prod people, I finally met him in person. Di ko expect, gwapo pala. So ako, nagpa-pic. He was actually nice, and accommodating. I remember calling him “Sir Marco”, and he was so courteous, with all his “po” and “opo”.

Pero hindi talaga dun nag-umpisa ang story. After nung photo op incident, may ilang episodes na ako ng Luv U na pinapanood. Naa-appreciate ko na yung kagwapuhan ni Marco on screen, saka yung acting niya. The turnaround came when Julian Mauricio (opo, siya uli. HAHAHA! Love you Juls!) would call me to ask for some advice sa kanyang pinagdaraanan. Then, magugulat ako when he passed the phone to Marco… Magkasama pala sila. We were introduced over the phone. E parang kinilig pa ako kasi, ang gwapo ng boses ni Marco sa phone (oo pwede po yun, magwapuhan sa boses hahaha).

At Ms. Linggit Tan's birthday celebration in 2012.

Weeks later, we would meet in person again. “@#$% ang gwapo!” Seriously! Hindi na siya yung totoy like nung pilot ng Luv U… He’s the most handsome guy I’ve seen (seriously. O wag lalaki ang ulo Marco HAHAHA). And he was really nice… I have this impression kasi na suplado, kasi mukhang mayaman. But he was makwento, and he made me feel comfortable agad. Well, admittedly, naging crush ko talaga siya.

Masusundan pa ang mga pagkikita namin kasi sinasama ako ni Julian tuwing dumadalaw siya sa Luv U taping. Parang dun na na-develop yung friendship namin ni Marco. Dumalas kasi. I started opening up to him, so was he. Though nahihiya pa talaga ako noon kasi nga may crush pa ako sa kanya… Conscious ako. But he was really that kind na, he made me feel comfortable. He would crack jokes, magkikwento siya ng personal stuff niya… Ang cool niyang ka-tropa.

Pero masasabi ko na naging mag-“bespren” kami noong lumabas-labas na kami nina Julian (and some of Luv U peeps) every after taping. Kaya I always looked forward to Mondays then.  Minsan pag nasa ABS-CBN siya na walang taping, magte-text siya, hahanapin kami. Sinasamahan namin siya pag may mga live guesting siya kunwari sa Kris TV. ‘Yung mga bonding afterwards ang talagang nag-seal ng friendship namin, as he began opening the other side of him sa amin. The non-showbiz, just your regular teenage guy na si Marco. I thought, he really is a good friend. Eventually, nag-die down yung crush ko sa kanya. Hindi ko nga alam na nahalata niya pala yun, until recently. (Amin na lang ‘yun HAHAHA)

LUV U's First Anniversary press conference.

I would describe Marco as the next important leading man. He’s got the height, the looks… No exagg, he really is one of the handsomest guys I know. Kita naman eh. And I’ve seen his marked improvement in acting since Luv U started. Given the right break, maabot niya, or even malalampasan pa what his dad achieved as an actor. He’s got a strong screen presence kasi, you’d take a good look at him everytime you see him on TV. He has come to love his work now – he wants to do more projects nga e, especially teleseryes.

Contrary to others’ perception, hindi suplado si Marco. Kasi di ba stereotype yun pag gwapo, maputi, tapos maangas pa ang dating? He is really accommodating. Natutuwa nga yan everytime may nagpapa-pic or nagti-tweet sa kanya. He appreciates all the good words and support coming in. Makikita mo yung happiness niya everytime may natutuwa sa mga ginagawa niya. Kaya nga nung nalaman niyang may fan club na siya at may get together pa, excited siya because malaking bagay talaga for him that people appreciate him and his work.

As I typed earlier, aside sa kanyang trabaho at pagiging heartthrob, he’s just your regular teenage guy. He enjoys the stuff other boys his age like doing. He’s into sports, especially basketball and muay thai. Ilang beses na rin akong nakanood ng basketball games niya… He’s really good, walang etchos! He also loves hanging out with friends. Though napansin ko, mas “good boy” at nag-mellow na siya lately, kasi nae-enjoy na niya ang quiet moments at pagiging homebody.  Nagbalik school na din siya last May, sa DLSU, which is a good thing, kasi sayang din ang talino niya. He speaks with sense and depth. At ang maganda sa kanya, he also hangs with his family, especially his sisters.

I also see Marco’s maturity, especially kapag nag-uusap kami at nagbibigay siya ng advices. At a young age kasi, he and his family have gone through a lot, and that’s what made him the stronger and more faithful guy he is now. The Gumabaos have this really close relationship with God, kaya makikita niyo how close-knit sila as a family, and kung gaano lumaking maayos at matino si Marco and his siblings. Wala akong masabi, he really is a listener, and an adviser. He sees things from outside the surface, if you get what I mean. . Kaya pag kailangan ko ng advice from a guy’s POV, siya talaga ang una kong tinatanong.  He can be frank and mean at times, pero pag makikilala mo siya, masasakyan mo na siya at ang mga statements at jokes niya. Malakas mang-trip yan e!

At one of Marco's basketball games. 

Sa likod ng toughie-toughie persona ni Marco, sorry kailangan kong ibuking, is a softie young man. Madaling ma-touch yan sa mga simple gestures mo. For someone who has almost everything materially, he enjoys receiving simple stuff. And he is involved and concerned as a friend. He asks what’s happening. Hindi sya nahihiya na magpakita ng lambing at concern, kahit na, example, bading ako. Secured siya, e. Hindi siya namimili ng kaibigan. Makikipaglaro sa ‘yo ng basketball yan, kahit saan pa. Makikipag-usap. Pero be careful, kasi first impression mostly lasts for him. Magaling yan kumilatis ng tao, especially if sincere ka or not. Marunong si Marco mag-balanse sa kung ano lang ang ishe-share niya publicly, at doon sa mga taong pinagkakatiwalaan niya.

Most importantly, bilang kaibigan, the best thing about him is, with Marco around, I feel safe and secured, sa lahat ng aspeto. He is that kind of friend na, mag-o-offer ng ride home or at least drop you off where it’s safe kapag late na. Or kapag may kaaway ka, he will defend you, kahit makipag-suntukan pa siya (though hindi pa naman nangyayari, thank God. Wag naman sana umabot dun.) He is also trustworthy, na kapag nagbukas ka ng secret sa kanya, he will really keep. And he makes ways para mapasaya ka. Ang hirap i-explain in writing, but he just knows how to lighten up your mood. 

At sinasabi ko na, kung sino mang babae ang mahalin nitong si Marco, swerte, kasi he really is an ideal boyfriend.  

The story of Marco and I, I can proudly say, is a testament that a pure and lasting friendship can really exist between a straight guy and a homosexual like me. People may doubt or question, but Marco and I have nothing to explain to others. I’m so blessed and grateful having him around. Not everyone is given that one of a kind opportunity to have a bespren named Marco Gumabao – a future leading man, an amazing friend, and a faithful servant of God. 

KHALIL AND I

Khalil Ramos 

My mom was the first to notice Khalil Ramos when he first appeared on “Pilipinas Got Talent”. She said, “sisikat ang batang ito! Gwapo at may talent!” I just smiled at her. Hindi ko pa super bet si Khalil then. Until weeks passed, and that time kainitan talaga ng Justin Bieber mania, I thought, he could be our answer to the international superstar. He grew in me. I was starting to like his voice, and I find his smile nakakatunaw.

So he went on to win the runner up slot, which I felt then was his rightful place. I had a feeling na, even hindi siya mag-grand winner, pasisikatin siya ng ABS-CBN. True enough, just weeks later after that grand finals night, we were informed that he will be part of then “You’re Always With My Heart” concept with Kathryn Bernardo, Enrique Gil and Daniel Padilla. After approved, the show was titled “Princess And I”, Khalil was officially casted as Kathryn’s role best friend. I had hesitations actually. I mean, I knew he was a good singer. But can he act?

To be quite honest, and I always say this to Khalil, I really find him suplado at first. Siguro nauunahan ako ng thought na, “ay! Agustinian ito! Nosebleed!” But looking back, I guess he was just too shy and reserved. Our turnaround would be during those times he would attend workshops for acting. We would talk. Small talks that would develop into long enough conversations. And I am slowly developing fondness in this guy. He’s calm. He’s cool. He’s sensible. I always looked forward to seeing him around.

My first picture with Khalil in 2011. 

Pero yung masasabi kong we really became close friends was during the early tapings, and promo for PAI.  I don’t really remember much, but I think it was when I told him na “hawig kay Kiko yung kwento ko” when we started getting to know each other. You know, na in love sa best friend na hindi ka mahal. He would ask questions. He really listened intently. He would cheer me up. I guess in a way may nahuhugot siya sa mga kwento ko sa kung paano niya iaarte si KIko then. Unforgettable for us yung scene niya na recital sa simbahan, when he sang “Kung Ako Ba Siya” and later on confessed his feelings to Mikay. He was telling me, “wish you were there nung kinukunan yun.” I was raving about it kasi… Ang galing niya! For a newcomer, Khalil phenomenally nailed it. It trended sa Twitter – Kiko then was hailed the “pambansang best friend”.

What I love most about Khalil when we were doing PAI was, he really gets in touch with me if he has questions, hesitations or suggestions about his role. Dun pa lang, alam mo na dedicated siya sa craft niya. He would even ask, “have you watched this..?” One time, when the creative team of PAI visited the set, he shot that day yung bridge scene when he admitted to Mikay na siya ang secret admirer. He was telling me, “watch out fot it, maiiyak ka.” True enough, until this very day, napapaiyak ako ng eksenang yun. He’s good at what he’s doing, but there’s that effort on his part para mas pagbutihin pa ang pag-arte niya.

At PAI Thanksgiving party last year.

Another thing I admire about Khalil is, yung marunong siyang magpasalamat. I see him the way he is with his supporters, he really takes time. He sincerely shows his appreciation. Kahit sa mga katrabaho niya, wala kang maririnig na reklamo. Everytime magkikita kayo, kahit pagod yan, yung may ngiti sa labi niya, sabay “Princessss!!!” and hug. Most memorable for me was when he put my name in his “Thank Yous” sa kanyang debut album last year. It was so surprising… It was the first time na may gumawa sa akin ng ganun. Parang meron pa akong, “what have I done?”

We also share the same liking for TV shows and movies. Nagkakasundo kami niyan sa “How I Met Your Mother”, and we both are big fans of “Star Wars”. Sometimes nag-uusap lang kami about these shows. Nagre-recommend din siya ng kung ano ang maganda panuorin, like when he recommended me “Revolution”.

Khalil can be so funny as well. Ang mga hirit niyan, yung mga panggugulat… And the wacky faces. Grabe. Dati sa PAI, kapag nakakaiyak yung scene niya, biglang magte-text yan na, “I know you’re crying now.” Nung umalis sila pa-US last year, I told him, “mami-miss ko kayo! Hatid ko kayo sa airport!” Humirit yan, “Princess, 10 days lang kami dun.” Oo nga naman, OA ako. Haha!

Khalil and I with Julia Barretto at ASAP Backstage last year. 

But the best part about Khalil is how he is as a friend. Baby pa rin ang tingin ko sa kanya, but he is matured beyond his age. He gives sound advices. He tells you if you’re wrong. He can be so thoughtful. He is concerned. Just don’t break his trust, kasi the moment ma-break yun, wala na. He may be friendly, but winning his trust is another issue. At pinanindigan niya yung sinabi niya na, “PAI may have ended but our friendship remains” because until now, walang nagbabago. I visit him, we talk pag may time…

I actually miss working with him. Pero sobrang happy ako sa mga nangyayari sa career niya ngayon. Second lead siya sa “Annaliza” (iba na siya as Jeric, leading man in the making na talaga), part pa rin siya ng Boyfriendz with DJ and Quen, and he remains as one of the most sought after teen stars in ABS-CBN, most especially among his batchmates sa Star Magic Circle 2013. He really deserves all the blessings, kasi napaka-hardworking niya talaga, at humble na tao.

The story of Khalil and I will always be a reminder to me that true friendships can really be formed in the industry we are working on. For the trust, for getting to know me better, for the sincerity, and for just being there for me, I will forever thank Kali, kasabay ang pangako of looking forward to doing another project him, soon. It will happen, in God's time.