Christian feels no pressure to outdo himself

Christian Bables

I have a soft spot for Christian Bables because my son, IC Mendoza, is close to him. They fondly call each other “buang” (crazy). Their friendship started when they shot “Die Beautiful,” which was a turning point in Christian’s career.

When I finally met Christian, I found out why IC is all praise for him. Having grown up in the biz, I can instantly tell if a celebrity is plastic or not. Christian is as real as can be.

The versatile actor is in high spirits these days. After the box-office success of “The Panti Sisters,” he bagged the Bright Star Award in the 2019 Asian Pop-Up Cinema, held in Chicago for his performance in “Signal Rock.”

He was also named best actor for the same film at the Urduja Film Festival in Northern Luzon. Christian is raring to start his new ABS-CBN drama series. Bring out the bubbly for Bables!

Here’s my chat with Christian:

What’s a sweeter victory—winning an award in the Philippines or abroad? For me, winning an award abroad is sweeter because the award-giving body doesn’t know the nominees personally. And all of the nominees are the best of the best, chosen from different films and countries.

How do you handle the pressure to outdo yourself after you win an award? I just don’t let worldly standards pressure me. I just do what I love—to act, and that’s my main purpose. The rest is just part of the job.

What will make you turn down an offer to do a movie/TV show? If the story and the character I will portray have no relevance at all.

How do you handle fame? Being known is just part of the job. The real job is to stay diligent and hungry as an actor. You are just as good as your last work. Fame is just a bonus. There’s more to being an actor than just fame. Even if you are already famous, you must feel like a beginner who’s open to learn new things.

What makes your relationship with your girlfriend work? Time and effort.

What do you find hard to understand about women? Their unexplainable temper.

If you had to choose between a lasting career and a lasting relationship, which would you pick? Lasting relationship. I can do anything or start a new career, with my loved one by my side.

How do you handle haters/bashers? I’ve learned that the secret to handling them is to not handle them at all.

Do you feel threatened when new actors begin to rise? There’s no need to be threatened. My manager and life coach Tito Boy Abunda taught me to believe in my uniqueness as an actor. No one can ever go wrong with the right attitude, passion, diligence and hard work.

What’s the naughtiest thing you’ve done? I can’t think of anything, really. I don’t drink nor smoke, and I prefer to stay home playing with my siblings or watching films. But I prank people a lot. That I guess is my naughty side.

What’s the best and hardest part of being Christian Bables? The best and hardest part of being me is the way I invest my heart into something or someone I love.

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PERSONAL: Birthday cheers to my dearest “Sistah,” Tito Boy Abunda. Kindness and brilliance are gifts that he was born with. I cannot love him enough.