Jon Avila says "lakas ng loob" helps him deal with showbiz intrigues

Filipino-British actor Jon Avila could be one of the half-Pinoys who will miss celebrating Christmas in the country where they grew up.

In an interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the Kapitan Boom actor admitted that he misses having a good time with his friends in the U.K. during Christmas. "I miss being with my friends, just go out at the pub and then go out in the streets to party," he said.

Jon said, though, that during the four years he has been staying in Manila, he has learned to enjoy the Pinoys' traditional way of celebrating Christmas. In fact, he said, he loves it here more because, "dito sa Philippines kasi, maraming gagawin, e. Sa U.K., it's just drink, eat, drink, eat, 'tapos tapos na. Pero dito kasi, you can visit families, basta ang daming puwedeng gawin dito sa Pinas."

So, what's his plan on December 25?

"Me and my mom will be spending Christmas in San Ildefonso [Bulacan]. My mom's here right now. 'Tapos we'll be giving out food and gifts to unfortunate kids, para iba."

Jon is grateful for the good things that have happened in his showbiz career this year. He says he never expected to get the fame he's getting right now, especially since he's a newcomer in the industry.

"It's been an amazing journey," described Jon about his newfound career after modeling. "I've learned a lot about myself and about the industry and about people. Every factor in my life, I learned about it—friends, family, pressure, stress. And also the good things like, inspiring people, making other people laugh. It really makes me feel good. Pero I'm very, very blessed right now."

So far, Jon has already learned a lot of things about show business.

"I've learned that you have to be conscious of what kind of impression you're going to give to people. You have to appreciate people around you, the people who have helped you... Basta you just have to really work on relationships talaga, kasi sometimes you have to keep your feet on the ground. Sometimes [fame] can take you up and you're in a different world na, e. Kasi, the showbiz industry is ibang klase ng industry."

How about the intrigues that come his way? How does he deal with them?

Intrigue "comes with the job as a celebrity," said Jon. "You have to learn na how deal with it. You have to have the "malakas na loob," kailangan talaga 'yon. I mean, I'm a sensitive person, e, sometimes I can't handle it."

Instead of getting annoyed with negative issues in showbiz, Jon takes them positively, hoping that, "It makes me stronger as a person. I just hope na I can last in the business."

For 2009, Jon wishes for more TV and movie projects. To achieve this goal, the aspiring dramatic actor will improve in his acting skills by developing his Tagalog.