Khalil: I don’t want to be a jack of all trades, master of none

Khalil Ramos

Being in show biz wasn’t in Khalil Ramos’ plans. His family, a couple of years ago, considered migrating to the United States for a better life.
But when the opportunity to try out for reality talent search “Pilipinas Got Talent” (PGT) presented itself, Khalil, then just a third year high school student, didn’t think twice.

It was a “leap of faith,” he said—one that led him to a career in music and, eventually, acting. Now, at 21, Khalil is an Urian-nominated actor for his performance in Petersen Vargas’ coming-of-age drama, “2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten.”

“The nod is an affirmation of the gut feeling I had many years ago that I can be an actor; that I can equip myself with the talent and skills needed to be one,” he told the Inquirer, shortly after inking a five-film contract with Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde’s outfit, Reality Entertainment.

“Looking at what I have achieved thus far, I can say that I’m happy I made that leap,” added Khalil, who’s also part of the coming movies, “Kasunduan” by Lawrence Fajardo and “Riding in Tandem” by Toto Natividad.

After finishing second in the third season of PGT, it seemed like Khalil was headed for a serious career in music.
But while he was packaged as a pop-rock singer early in his career, he admitted that he still wasn’t sure about which field he wanted to pursue.

“Because I had yet to make up my mind, I just chose to be open-minded. I was offered a role in the soap “Princess and I,” and I pounced on it. After all, you will never know what you truly want unless you try things. From then on, my love for acting grew,” he said.

But that’s not to say he will abandon singing. Khalil, who credits his love for music to his father, related he would be working with Callalily lead vocalist Kean Cipriano, as well as other musicians, in creating new material.

“I have always been a big fan of pop-rock and alternative music. I love Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots,” he said. “I would love to draw inspiration from their work and incorporate them into what’s current, should I come up with a new album in the future.”

Asked if he now sees himself more as an actor than a singer, Khalil said he would rather call himself a “storyteller.”
“I want to express my feelings, whether it’s through acting, singing or photography. But of course, someday I would need to focus on [just one],” he said. “I don’t want to be a jack of all trades, master of none.”

Needless to say, with his laser-like focus on bettering his career, having a love life, he stressed, wasn’t a priority—he thinks it could end up being a hindrance to his growth.

“I have been single for four years, but I think there’s a right time for romantic relationships. The past year, I have been working on opening myself up to different career opportunities, and I don’t want that to slow down,” said Khalil, who took up digital filmmaking lessons at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

“I still have a lot of things to do—I also want to venture into filmmaking and cinematography in the future,” Khalil said. “I’m always thinking about what else I can offer. And it’s just a matter of taking more leaps.”