Brutal training primed ‘Beki’ lead star
Alwyn Uytingco lost a few pounds preparing for the series
Alwyn Uytingco is no stranger to gay roles, having tackled one in the popular “Ang Tanging Ina” film franchise. But the threat of being typecast worried him, the actor confessed, so he thought twice about accepting TV5’s offer to star in the drama-comedy series, “Beki Boxer.”
“I was initially hesitant, but the fact that it was about a boxer won me over. I usually played flamboyant gay characters in the past; this time I have to be athletic,” the TV5 talent told the Inquirer in a recent interview. “I wanted to challenge myself.”
In “Beki,” Alwyn plays Rocky Ponciano, a talented and closeted gay boxer out to recapture the glory that his family lost after his father Max (Christian Vasquez), a former boxing champion, fell from grace. “Not only do I have to be convincing as a gay man, I also have to appear like a legit boxer,” he pointed out.
The 25-year-old related that training has so far been brutal. “Nasusuka ako sa pagod. This is why I have newfound respect for boxers,” Alwyn said, adding that he lost a few pounds in the process.
He doesn’t have a specific peg or look, or any real-life personality to mimic, Alwyn admitted; instead, he is focusing on his character.
“It’s good to look deeper into the role. There are many people guiding me on the set,” the Kapatid actor said, adding that he watched “Beautiful Boxer”—a Thai film about a transsexual Muay Thai champion—to prepare for the series.
Supportive GF
His girlfriend Jennica Garcia gave him a valuable piece of advice: “She told me to imagine myself as a girl,” Alwyn said. “She freaks out when I practice in front of her. But she’s really cool about it, and very supportive of my career.”
Unlike GMA 7’s successful drama series, “My Husband’s Lover,” which zeroed in on homosexual relationships, Alwyn said “Beki” is taking it easy on the romance aspect. “May konting kulitan lang— sweet-sweetan. More on kilig, especially in the dream sequences,” said Alwyn, who’s also playing a gay role in “Jasmine: The Series.”
Other roles
After these projects, he would like to explore and experiment with other types of characters.
“Hopefully after ‘Beki,’ people will see that I’m capable of doing other things. Perhaps I can play a villain,” said Alwyn, whose goal is to become a “good character actor.”
He explained, “You get a wider variety of choices as a character actor and that excites me.”
Directed by Jade Castro, “Beki Boxer” also stars Candy Pangilinan, Joross Gamboa, Vin Abrenica, John Regala, Onyok Velasco, Claire Hartell, Cholo Barretto, Kristel Moreno and Danita Paner. The show airs weekdays at 7 p.m.
(Email [email protected])
Alwyn Uytingco is no stranger to gay roles, having tackled one in the popular “Ang Tanging Ina” film franchise. But the threat of being typecast worried him, the actor confessed, so he thought twice about accepting TV5’s offer to star in the drama-comedy series, “Beki Boxer.”
“I was initially hesitant, but the fact that it was about a boxer won me over. I usually played flamboyant gay characters in the past; this time I have to be athletic,” the TV5 talent told the Inquirer in a recent interview. “I wanted to challenge myself.”
In “Beki,” Alwyn plays Rocky Ponciano, a talented and closeted gay boxer out to recapture the glory that his family lost after his father Max (Christian Vasquez), a former boxing champion, fell from grace. “Not only do I have to be convincing as a gay man, I also have to appear like a legit boxer,” he pointed out.
The 25-year-old related that training has so far been brutal. “Nasusuka ako sa pagod. This is why I have newfound respect for boxers,” Alwyn said, adding that he lost a few pounds in the process.
He doesn’t have a specific peg or look, or any real-life personality to mimic, Alwyn admitted; instead, he is focusing on his character.
“It’s good to look deeper into the role. There are many people guiding me on the set,” the Kapatid actor said, adding that he watched “Beautiful Boxer”—a Thai film about a transsexual Muay Thai champion—to prepare for the series.
Supportive GF
His girlfriend Jennica Garcia gave him a valuable piece of advice: “She told me to imagine myself as a girl,” Alwyn said. “She freaks out when I practice in front of her. But she’s really cool about it, and very supportive of my career.”
Unlike GMA 7’s successful drama series, “My Husband’s Lover,” which zeroed in on homosexual relationships, Alwyn said “Beki” is taking it easy on the romance aspect. “May konting kulitan lang— sweet-sweetan. More on kilig, especially in the dream sequences,” said Alwyn, who’s also playing a gay role in “Jasmine: The Series.”
Other roles
After these projects, he would like to explore and experiment with other types of characters.
“Hopefully after ‘Beki,’ people will see that I’m capable of doing other things. Perhaps I can play a villain,” said Alwyn, whose goal is to become a “good character actor.”
He explained, “You get a wider variety of choices as a character actor and that excites me.”
Directed by Jade Castro, “Beki Boxer” also stars Candy Pangilinan, Joross Gamboa, Vin Abrenica, John Regala, Onyok Velasco, Claire Hartell, Cholo Barretto, Kristel Moreno and Danita Paner. The show airs weekdays at 7 p.m.
(Email [email protected])
