Edgar Allan Guzman

Taking the Lead

Kapuso actor Edgar Allan Guzman has had his share of twists, turns, and tumbles in his career. Now more than ever, he is determined to make it to the top.

Text by Bianca Geli
Photos by Jamesson VIsta & EA Guzman's Instagram

It was in 2006 when Edgar Allan Guzman, then a 16-year-old high school student, decided to audition for “Mr. Pogi,” the popular search for good-looking young men in Eat Bulaga.

At the time, Edgar Allan, aka EA, saw it as an opportunity to help his family. What he didn’t know was that it would be the same vehicle that would change the course of his career—and his life—forever.

“Student pa lang ako no’n,” he recalls. “Gusto ko tulungan parents ko kasi wala na akong father, ‘yung mother ko na lang. Nung nawala ‘yung dad ko, sabi ko try ko mag-audition sa Mr. Pogi, dun ako nag-start.”

His father, Edgar Guzman, passed away in 2003, or some three years before EA auditioned for Mr. Pogi. His father’s death left EA with no choice but to take on a bigger role and more responsibilities in his family.

“Nag-audition ako, kinabukasan nilaban ako agad. Sa Broadway, sa Eat Bulaga!

“Sinubukan ko lang kasi wala ng ibang magwu-work para sa amin. Ayun nakapasok.”

As fate would have it, not only did EA get in, he emerged as the grand winner of Mr. Pogi 2006.

"’Yung goal ko naman dati pa is babalik ako sa pinagmulan ko at dun ko ibubuhos lahat ng talento ko kasi parang ito ’yung ma-o-offer ko sa pinagmulan ko, which is GMA."

His big win eventually paved the way for a career in showbiz.

“After ng Mr. Pogi nag-Eat Bulaga! ako for one year, tapos nag-Daisy Siete ako."

He then got into independent films and fell in love with the creative process that go into producing such movies.

“After nun, gumawa na ako ng indie films. ’Yung manager ko before, is Noel Ferrer. Nagpo-produce siya and may mga friends siyang producer, so nag-audition ako and ako ’yung natanggap sa role.

"Tapos dun na nag-start. Hanggang sa gumawa ako ng ibang indie films hanggang sa naging indie ako.”

He added, “Iba ’yung disiplina, iba ’yung materyal. Iba lang kasi ’yung treatment sa indie.

"Kumbaga, mga totoong nangyayari talaga sa totoong buhay. ‘Yung materyal makatotohanan. ‘Yun ‘yung kagandahan sa indie."

In 2011, EA was part of Cinemalaya film Ligo na Ü, Lapit na Me where he played the lead male role of Intoy. It was through this indie film EA was recognized for his acting ability.

The Awards and The Lessons

When EA won the Best Actor award from the 7th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival for his role in Ligo na Ü, Lapit na Me, his career took off to great heights as he became a more prominent figure in showbiz. He became part of numerous shows in ABS-CBN and TV5.

At the time it all happened, EA was just 21.

He admits feeling overwhelmed by all the sudden attention.

“Overwhelmed at sobrang happy ako nun,” he recalls.

Since then, EA has won a number of awards, including the Metro Manila Film Festival 2017 Best Supporting Actor for his part in Deadma Walking, The Golden Screen Award 2012 Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his turn in Ligo na Ü Lapit na Me, and the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award.

In 2017, EA returned to his mother network, GMA, and took on roles for My Korean Jagiya, The Stepdaughters, Dragon Lady, and currently for the GMA primetime One of the Baes.

His experience—the good and the challenging—has molded him into a versatile, humble actor.

EA has long learned the value of earning one’s respect in showbiz,

“’Yung respeto kasi nakukuha mo sa mga tao once na binigay mo rin sa kanila ’yun ’eh. Kumbaga kung may respeto ka sa katrabaho mo, may respeto ka sa production, sa show na ginagawa nila at sa mga kapwa artista mo.

“’Yung respeto ikaw din ’yung nagmi-maintain niyan. Kung paano mo masu-sustain ’yun. Kumbaga, kung bibigyan ka ng project, gagalingan mo rin talaga hanggang sa mapansin nila na magaling ka talaga. Dun mo makukuha ‘yung respect ng tao. ’Yun ’yung ginagawa ko.”

“Sa lahat ng projects at shows na ibinibigay sa akin, ibinibigay ko ’yung one hundred percent ko. Hindi ko sinasabi na ita-try ko ’yung best ko, gagawin ko talaga ’yung best ko."

EA says that the secret to standing out and staying strong in the cutthroat world of showbiz is to give your best all the time.

“Sa lahat ng projects at shows na binibigay sa akin, binibigay ko ’yung one hundred percent ko. Hindi ko sinasabi na ita-try ko ’yung best ko, gagawin ko talaga ’yung best ko.

"Para makuha ’yung respect nila and at the same time para ibalik dun sa mga taong kumuha sa ’kin sa project, ’yun ’yung way ko of giving back matapos nila ako bigyan ng opportunity.”

Being in the industry for over a decade has taught EA a lot of lessons. But the one lesson that he takes to heart is not letting fame get into his head.

“’Wag lalaki ang ulo,” he says. “Kahit anong marating mo, ’wag mong ilalagay sa ulo mo, dapat sa puso lang, kahit na sabihin ng mga tao na magaling ka, na deserve mo ’yan.”

Yes, it’s okay to enjoy the trappings of fame, every now and then. But it’s more important to not let it become bigger than your values. “Papakinggan mo lang, tatanggapin mo lang, ilagay mo sa puso mo, pero ’wag magiging mayabang.”

Staying in touch with the people he’s worked with is important, too.

“Oo naman, kailangan ’yun ‘eh, para sa isang artista kailangan mo ng ibang tao.”

He quickly adds that one should not limit his connections to one industry. “Pero hindi lang puro artista ’yung mga kaibigan ko, hindi puro nasa mundo ng showbiz, para rin may ibang tao. Masarap din kasi ’yung normal na tao lang ’yung kausap mo na wala sa mundo ng showbiz.

“So para sa akin napakaimportante nun kasi dun din ako natututo, dun ko nalalalaman ’yung ibang bagay na ganito pala.”

Major Life Changes

EA admits that he’s currently dating Kapuso actress Shaira Diaz. He makes it clear that even if they’re busy with their respective careers, their relationship is going strong.

“Okey naman [kami ni Shaira], going strong,” he says.

“Kami pa rin.”

He goes on, “Wala naman nagbabawal [sa ’min] pero kailangan pa rin namin i-private para sa mga career namin. Tulad niya, may loveteam siya, so hindi namin totally nilalabas na para ipagsigawan na kami.”

What EA finds admirable in Shaira is her simplicity and humility.

“Napakasimpleng tao, sa ganun kagandang tao, walang arte kahit isama mo siya sa pagkain ng fishball o kwek-kwek, hindi siya mag-iinarte, at down-to-earth, mabait. God-fearing.”

Out of all of Shaira’s endearing traits, it’s her having a strong faith EA finds most attractive.

“Para sa’kin importante ‘yun kasi ako takot ako sa Diyos ‘eh saka malakas ’yung pananampalataya ko sa Diyos, so isa talaga ‘’yun sa mga requirements ko sa mga babae. Kailangan God-fearing, dapat dadalhin din ako kay God.”

EA is quick to clarify that they’re not yet planning to settle down. They’re too preoccupied with their work and other pursuits to think about such a thing.

“Hindi pa, bata pa rin naman ako,” he says. “Napag-uusapan namin, pero hindi pa dumarating sa point na may exact plans. Ngayon mas iniisip namin is work. Ako may bagong show, siya may ongoing show.

“’Yun ’yung mga pinag-uusapan namin ngayon. Kung ano ’yung mga next namin puwedeng gawin sa buhay, kung ano ’yung next na puwede kong gawing investment in the near future, ’yun muna.”

"Kung bibigyan ka ng project, gagalingan mo rin talaga hanggang sa mapansin nila na magaling ka. Dun mo makukuha ’yung respect ng tao. ’Yun ’yung ginagawa ko."

Even if he’s active in showbiz, EA makes time for investing in businesses and planning his finances.

“Kailangan ’yun para may mapaglagyan ng kinikita. Nag-iinvest ako sa lupa, sa condo… next aayusin ko ’yung pinaplano kong milk tea business, kukuha ako ng franchise,” he shares.

EA says that one of the things that constantly changes is his passion for acting. As the years go by, his passion for acting only grows stronger and bigger and deeper.

“Siguro mas minamahal ko lang ’yung craft ko as an actor, ’yung pag-arte, sobrang dati ang gusto kong gawin pagsayaw ‘eh. Gusto ko lang sumayaw. Ngayon mas gusto ko umarte, mas na-e-enjoy ko, sa tingin ko mas mag-e-excel ako sa bagay na ’yun, and ’yun lang talaga, mahalin mo lang talaga ’yung craft mo.

“Kapag minahal mo siya at minahal mo ’yung trabaho mo, mas doble ’yung balik sa ’yo.”

Among the many roles that he's taken on, EA cites Goldwyn in Dragon Lady as the most memorable.

“Minahal ko lang talaga si Goldwyn. Kumbaga ’yung character na ’yun hanggang ngayon hindi ko pa siya makalimutan to be honest.”

Currently, EA is part of GMA primetime's One of the Baes as the villainous Charles Altamirano. He is looking forward to seeing how his character will develop in the story.

He’s also going back to the big screen through the upcoming romance movie Mia, which will be shown later this year under InSight 360 and Viva Films.

No Worries

When he returned to GMA, EA knew he had to prove himself through his craft and earn the right to be called a “leading man.”

“Siyempre masaya. Ako naman kasi nung tumungtong ako ulit dito sa GMA, ’yun ’yung goal ko is maging isang leading man. Dito ilalabas ’yung talent ko, bibigyan lang ako ng tamang project ng tamang big break... ipapakita ko.

“Natutuwa naman ako na nangyayari ’yung plans ko,” he adds.

Stability is also an important factor. For EA, he believes that the Kapuso network has brought him the most blessings.

“Kaya ako lumipat gusto kong dito ko na ilabas lahat ng talent na puwede kong ma-offer, gusto rin naman natin siyempre ng trabaho. Wala namang artista na gugustuhing walang makuhang trabaho.

“Pero para sa akin mas importante ’yung factor na dito ko talaga gusto i-share lahat.”

Although he has gone through a lot of transitions, his goal remained the same, that is, to return to his home network.

“’Wag lalaki ang ulo. Kahit anong marating mo, ’wag mong ilalagay sa ulo mo, dapat sa puso lang, kahit na sabihin ng mga tao na magaling ka, na deserve mo ’yan.”

“‘Yung goal ko naman dati pa is babalik ako sa pinagmulan ko at dun ko ibubuhos lahat ng talento ko kasi parang ito ’yung ma-o-offer ko sa pinagmulan ko which is GMA, na kaya kong kumanta, kaya kong sumayaw, kaya kong umarte.

“Bigyan lang ako ng tamang project kaya nating gawin.”

EA definitely knows how to stay in control. He’s more level-headed now, more patient, and more confident. He doesn’t get too overwhelmed. Instead of cowering, he pushes himself to take on bigger acting challenges.

“Masaya na nangyayari ’yung plinano ko at ngayon nasundan pa ng bago.

“Para sa akin sobrang overwhelmed ako pero at the same time hindi ako nagpapatalo sa pagiging overwhelmed. Kumbaga I challenge myself to be better.

“Kailangan kapag may project china-challenge ko ’yung sarili ko. Hindi ako magpapaka-kampante kasi iniisip ko magaling naman ako dito, eh.

“Hindi dapat ganun, masaya and thankful ako as a Kapuso at nabibigyan ako ng magagandang projects.”