Former "Bida Man" finalist Miko Gallardo gets his biggest acting break through Boys' Love (BL) drama #MyDay The Series.
Miko plays the role of Sky Mercado, a culinary intern who falls in love with his boss Ace Tan, who is portrayed by Iñaki Torres, another newbie actor.
According to the 21-year-old actor, the project is a good platform for a budding actor like him.
It is new and challenging, and he is given the chance to prove he is equal to the task.
"Nakakatuwa kasi ngayon gumagawa ako ng role na hindi ko inakala at saka ito yung pinaka-challenging para sa akin.
"Mataas yung expectations ng mga tao kasi BL is something big right now.
"Let’s be honest, I wanna jump in the hype and, siyempre, gusto ko rin mapakita yung kakayanan ko sa pag-act," Miko told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in an exclusive interview last June 27, Saturday.
The BL drama series gained popularity over the past four months following the phenomenal success of Thailand's 2gether: The Series, which has brought fame to its young stars, Bright Vachirawit Chivaaree and Win Metawin Opas-iamkajorn.
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Given the popularity of the genre around the world, Miko admitted feeling somewhat pressured.
"Yung anticipation and yung expectation ng mga tao, kinakabahan ako.
"Pero we try our best. We work hard to help each other sa roles namin.
"We just hope for the best para magawa naming ito ng maayos."
And with film producer and director Xion Lim at the helm of #MyDay The Series, Miko is confident they will deliver a quality series.
He told PEP.ph, "Si Direk Xion, I worked with him sa commercial before so I trust his capabilities.
"When he came to me, siyempre tiwala ko naman kay Direk na he’s gonna do well dito and for my sake na rin.
"Excited ako na makatrabaho si direk ulit. Before ako nag-Bida Man, si direk yung nakatrabaho ko."
Being a new actor, Miko said he's ready for the bashing: "Yes! Bring it on!
"I respond by not responding. Say what you want, kasi lahat naman ng tao may masasabi.
"Lahat ng tao may bibig, lahat ng tao may isip. Kaya kahit anong sabihin nila, bahala sila diyan.
"If you try to fight back, it’s just not gonna help. Walang mangyayari.
"Kaya para dun, dedma na lang para tahimik yung mundo mo."
GETTING IN CHARACTER
Miko said he did a thorough research to get into his character of a young gay man, and in love at that, in the series.
He told PEP.ph, "Going to a relationship with another guy as straight is hard para sa akin, but that’s what I’m trying to prepare myself.
"I try to talk to my friends who are part of the LGBT community.
"I have a lot of friends from the LGBT community so I kind of understand yung mga pinagdadaanan nila in terms of sa family, sa friends, the people around them.
"Yung different experiences nila coming out, different experiences nila hiding.
"My character, sa kanila ko ina-absorb through their experiences para mai-apply ko sa mga eksena, kung paano si Sky kumilos, mag-isip.
"Kumukuha ako ng bits and pieces sa kanila para matulungan ko yung character na ginagampanan ko."
His training as a "Bida Man" finalist has also helped him to act out his role.
Miko said, "Yung pagbi-Bida Man ko, nakatulong sa akin para mag-improve sa acting.
"Sa lahat, pati sa sayaw, sa pagtatanggal ng hiya sa camera, sa tao. Trinain din nila ako sa mga nagawa kong mga series, mga online series, mga movies sa Regal Films.
"Nakatulong din siya sa akin para ma-enhance yung sarili ko, ma-improve yung acting ko."
Aki and Miko are joined by other first-time actors Juan Alcala, Frost Sandoval, Darrell Castillo, Shanice Eve, and Kristel Galang in the series.
Jamil Bonifacio, Leilani Kate Yalung, Gio Emprese, Lara Morena, and seasoned actor Yul Servo are also part of the cast.
#MyDay The Series is produced by Prime Event Productions Philippines Foundation Incorporated (PEPPS) in collaboration with Oxin Fims. It premiered on August 8, Saturday, on Oxin Films' official YouTube channel. Its second episode was uploaded on August 15.
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