Martin on working with Alden, worst rumor about him

Martin del Rosario and Alden Richards

Martin del Rosario has such an angelic face, that’s why he really looks the part when he portrays gay roles. But he is not just eye candy; he’s got substance. So young, yet multiawarded already.

The Kapuso charmer has bagged trophies as Urian best supporting actor, PMPC best new actor and, recently, he won best actor for “The Panti Sisters” in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino awards. To think that he has no formal training in acting.

As Direk Perci Intalan puts it, “Acting is instinctive for Martin. He’s fearless. When I directed him, wala siyang kiyeme, even scenes that require kissing, stripping, etc. He’s not self-conscious at all.”

At the rate he’s going, the 26-year-old actor must have a bigger trophy shelf made already.

Here’s my chat with Martin:

What did you realize about homosexuals after portraying gay roles?  That gays are just like anybody else. They’re also human—it’s just that they have a different gender preference. I also realized that they too have the right to love anybody they want. They have the same rights as anybody in this world.

After bagging another award, do you feel pressured to outdo yourself in your next movie?  Not exactly. Though it’s normal that after winning an award, people would expect more from me. As long as I give my best to every role I portray, that’s good enough for me.

Do you increase your talent fee after winning an award? No. Talent fee doesn’t matter to me. What’s important is I’m happy and fulfilled with my work.

How have awards impacted you as an actor?  It makes me feel good about myself. I love the feeling of being recognized and acknowledged for my talent. It gives me a certain high, which will help in improving my craft.

What makes your trio with Christian Bables and Paolo Ballesteros click on and off-cam?  We became closer when we did “Panti Sisters.” The three of us are passionate about our craft. We are attuned to each other, so we know what we have to do in every scene. No upstaging, no intrigues. Off-cam, our personalities jibe.

Aren’t you wary about getting typecast in gay roles? Not at all. I have portrayed other characters. It just so happens that I am often given gay roles. Taking on such a bold role gives me a chance to test my range as an actor. I am willing to play any role, as long as it suits me. I want to prove my versatility. Right now, I portray a villain in the GMA 7 series, “The Gift.”

What’s it like working with Alden Richards in “The Gift”? Even if he’s a superstar, he does not make his costars and our crew feel intimidated. We feed off on each other’s zest for our job as actors.

What was the worst rumor about you? The “walang kamatayang” issue about my gender preference. At first, my family and I were affected. But the issue has been dragging on for so long, that’s why I’m used to it already.

What’s one love advice that you follow? Don’t give your all. Leave something for yourself. So, if things don’t work out, it won’t hurt too much.

How were you discovered? I was discovered by Jun Reyes when I was 16. He was buying lechon in Retiro for his former ward, Gerald Anderson.

How do you stay grounded? My support system, which is my family, instilled good values in me. So I don’t let success get into my head. I just happen to have a high-profile job, but nakasayad pa rin ang mga paa ko sa lupa.

How do you handle it when people think you’re really gay? I know who I am, so what people think doesn’t bother me at all. Live and let live.