By Oliver M. Pulumbarit
Cagayan de Oro—Alden Richards talked about portraying Jose
Rizal in GMA 7’s coming series “Ilustrado” at a press conference here for the
network’s “Kapuso Fiesta” event.
It was difficult to imagine the mestizo actor in the role
because of his fair skin, but he whipped out his phone and showed the Inquirer
an unreleased photo of himself in full “darkening” makeup and costume.
“Ilustrado,” he said, is the network’s first bayaniserye and
will air nightly in October. “It’s also a movieserye. We use film equipment and
shoot in HD. ‘Ilustrado’ is about Rizal’s love for his mom, Teodora Alonso
(Eula Valdez), for Leonor Rivera (Kylie Padilla) and for the country.”
Alden, 22, is here for the “Bet ng Bayan” provincial
showdown. The talent tilt will be on TV, a show he will cohost with singer
Regine Velasquez.
“It’s a nationwide reality talent search… different from
other talent shows because we bring the venue to those who cannot go to Manila
to audition,” he said.
The actor admitted that he took the cohosting gig because he
does not have a regular show at the moment: “I asked GMA for this. I told them,
while I’m able, please keep me working.”
Alden, whose real name is Richard Faulkerson, feels
“blessed” that the network trusted him with these big projects. “It started
with ‘Carmela,’ with Marian (Rivera),” he recounted. “And I enjoy hosting
segments in (the variety show) ‘Sunday All Stars.’ Before I became an actor, I hosted
a school pageant. So maybe [the execs] said, why not give him a project that
involves hosting. I also enjoy the perks; I’m going white-water rafting later.
I just deliver lines [in different places] but it’s so rewarding.” But, made to
choose between hosting and acting, Alden added, “I’d still choose acting.”
Three years and eight months into the business, Alden said,
he still pinches himself sometimes, incredulous about the quick ascent of his
career.
“It’s gone really
fast, thanks to GMA and my supporters,” he said, gushing. “I’ve learned to stay
humble and true to myself. That’s how people started liking me, and it keeps me
grounded.”
He is aware that it’s a mindset not shared by some new
actors. “I won’t name names, but there are newbies who let a little taste of
success go to their heads.”
As for why he’s currently single, Alden explained, “I’m not looking for love right now. I have other priorities. It’s very cliché, but that’s the truth.”
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