Film and theater actor Adrian Lindayag bares HIV-positive diagnosis

Adrian Lindayag. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

For the first time since his diagnosis in 2017, film and theater actor Adrian Lindayag revealed that he is positive for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) in his bid to lessen, if not remove, the stigma on people like him afflicted by the virus.

Thus, portraying the role of Angel Dumott Schunard in the Manila staging of “Rent” for the second time will serve as a greater purpose for Lindayag.

Speaking to reporters for the Manila staging of Jonathan Larson’s “Rent,” Lindayag said his character Angel, too, dealt with the effects of his condition in the musical while juggling his job as a drag queen and street percussionist.

“In late 2017, I was diagnosed as positive for HIV. And I had to take a break from work. I was trying to find an avenue to rest my body physically when I saw the auditions for Ateneo Blue Repertory’s ‘Rent’ in 2018,” he said. “And Abby [Sulit], my musical director, gave me a chance and cast me for Angel. That’s when I quit my corporate job and started to be an actor.”

Lindayag said his first time portraying Angel changed his life, which gave him the desire to tell his character’s story to different audiences. “We have to know these things. Education is power. Knowledge is power. You can live a full life and be a person like me who lives like everyone else because I took that test.”

The upcoming staging marks the actor’s second time to take on the role. For him, the opportunity is a “magical” culmination of destiny as he felt the need to “tell Angel’s story on a bigger stage.”

“It is so magical how my first production and the thing that opened up my destiny is ‘Rent’ and Angel. That was my first production in 2018,” said Lindayag. “After that, people would ask me what is my next role or what is my dream role. I always say it is still [Angel] because I need to tell his story on a bigger stage.”

“All of us had friends who passed away from this disease because they were so scared to put themselves out there, get tested, and visit those clinics. The pills are free and younger people do not have to die anymore. Retelling this story is essential and important,” he further said.

‘PAIN INTO POWER’

WATCH: Adrian Lindayag, who will star as Angel Dumott Schunard in the Manila staging of “Rent,” said being open about his HIV-positive diagnosis will serve as a reminder to defy the stigma surrounding the topic. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/cM812kE44B

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 4, 2024

‘Pain into power’

Aside from telling Angel’s story as “healing,” Lindayag said in a separate interview with reporters that his character is someone whom the “younger generation” needs to feel empowered that knowledge is power.

“I want them to see me, and be empowered by the knowledge that I don’t have to be scared. I can be scared but I still want to know what and how to [deal] with it,” he said. “[This is about] turning pain into power. My loved ones knew from the beginning, and it felt something important to me should be shared.”

The Kapamilya star said his diagnosis turned into a lifelong advocacy for him to educate the public. “Napakahalaga na malaman ng mga tao na posibleng magkaroon ng normal na buhay kahit merong kang HIV. You can work and have a fulfilled life,” he said. This led him to urge students, parents, and other adults to get tested and defy the stigma surrounding the disease.

“Ang daming parents, tao, at estudyante na natatakot magpa-test and malaman. Pero hindi mo kasi masosolusyonan kung hindi ka magpapatest and hindi mo ie-educate ang sarili mo. I don’t understand why there’s so much stigma with it. Hopefully, this musical will help remove the stigma.”

READ: As AIDS, HIV awareness among PH youth declines, cases, deaths rise

Lindayag also hoped many would realize that knowledge is essential to curbing the fear and stigma associated with HIV while sharing that he, too, made sure his parents were well-informed about the topic.

“I feel all parents are scared of it. For me, the way to remove that fear is knowledge. Aside from me opening up to my family, I had the duty to educate them about it. When I educated them, nawala ang pangamba and tinulungan nila ako. Hanggang ngayon, tinutulungan nila ako to accept me and live life fully and love fully,” he said.

The actor then pointed out the importance of raising awareness in schools and other communities about HIV, especially when it comes to the youth. He also stressed that some who are HIV-positive ended up shunned by their families and the public as well.

“Ang daming stories of people [telling they have] HIV to their families na pinapalayas at hindi tinatanggap,” said Lindayag. “Napakahalaga na huwag natin sila pakitaan ng judgment. Pakitaan natin sila ng pagmamahal. You might lose a loved one because of it.”

“I have lost so many friends through the year. We didn’t need to lose them but because they were so scared of being judged, they’re not here with us. Hindi natin kailangang mamatay. I don’t want to lose loved ones anymore,” he continued.

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Apart from “Rent,” Lindayag is the lead in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2020 entry “The Boy Foretold by the Stars.” He also appeared in the series “Linlang,” “Kadenang Ginto,” and “Marry Me, Marry You,” as well as the MMFF 2023 movie “Becky & Badette.”

The Manila staging of the Jonathan Larson-helmed musical will open on April 19.