American actor in PH for real, reel love

TUESDAY Vargas and Lee O’Brian

OFTEN, we hear about on-screen love stories that turn into off-screen relationships. Sometimes, however,  “reel” life reflects real romances.

An American actor, Lee O’Brian appeared in the films “Edsa Woolworth” and “Forgive Me Father.” Starring in a new TV series alongside Tuesday Vargas, O’Brian will portray a befuddled foreigner in a relationship with a Filipino woman.

In “Kano Luvs Pinay,” O’Brian will play the role of Matthew, an American who falls for Cookie, the character played by Vargas. His real, offscreen girlfriend is comedienne Marietta Subong, who is more popularly known as Pokwang.

O’Brian and Pokwang played similar roles in the movie “Edsa Woolworth,” which was instrumental in getting them together.

O’Brian said in a recent press conference that he was in the country for a vacation with his girlfriend Pokwang when he was called for a possible TV project.

“I went in and auditioned,” said O’Brian. He soon got the role, which seems like it was specifically designed for him.

When asked by reporters to describe misconceptions about Filipino-American relationships, O’Brian gave a rather candid response.

Cross-cultural couples, he said, often face the question: “Is this really love, or is this really for a visa?”

O’Brian added, “One of the things that we [explore in the show] is the concept of the locals’ thinking that a Filipino man or woman is just going for the benefits rather than actual love in cross-cultural relationships.”

On his romance with Pokwang, he declared, “I think, you know, in my situation… I’ve gone for love.”

Reporters, in unison, responded: “Aww.”

When asked about his plans regarding his acting career in the country, O’Brian said, “That is, right now, definitely my goal… my focus is to stay here with my current girlfriend in real life and stay with my on-camera girlfriend, her family, our great director, production team and make a great show and go beyond that… I definitely want that!”

“Kano Luvs Pinay” will air every Saturday on TV 5 starting Sept. 5.