Family is the reason why Vanjo Cuenca decided to give show business a shot.

But it's not like he needs to work for money, but simply, he wants to make the people closest to his heart proud.

The 19-year-old newcomer found the opportunity to enter showbiz when ABS-CBN held an auditon for the youth-oriented weekly comedy series LUV U—where he was cast as Banjo, one of the bullies.

"I want to see kung saan ang maabot ko. Gusto kong makita ang sarili ko sa TV," he told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

"Ever since bata ako, gusto ko nang ma-experience 'yon so that proud din 'yong family ko. Masaya ako kapag proud sa akin ang family ko."

And how is it so far?

"The thing is hindi pa ako nagwo-workshop," he said.

"Siguro isa pa ako sa mga actors na never pang nag-workshop, never ko pang na-experience talaga.

"[Noong first day ko], para akong poste. I don't know how to move. Pero I'm willing to learn, siyempre, like everyone who is in show business."

WILLING TO LEARN. In LUV U, most of his co-actors are graduates of the kiddie gag show Goin' Bulilit, which helped them hone their acting skill.

Vanjo, on the other hand, has been busy with his studies. At present, he is a sophomore college student taking up Tourism at Southville International School and Colleges.

He related, "Sa simula, I don't know how to keep up with them. 'Tapos ako, I'm starting from scratch, without any workshop experience.

"Pero siyempre, noong nagiging close na kami ng cast, parang [I asked them], 'Bro, how do you this?'

"Nagpapaturo din ako and I ask for advice kaya nagiging close kami.

"Hindi ko iniisip na, 'You're better than me.' That can't be. Hindi ko naiisip 'yon."