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.