Khalil Ramos
limitless
With an illustrious career spanning almost a decade, Khalil Ramos has made many leaps of faith in his career and in his life. At 24, the actor, the musician, the creative, the young man with many passions is now on a mission to raise the bar and earn the respect of the greats.
Words by Felix Ilaya Photos by Artist Center and Khalil Ramos Instagram
He's talented, intelligent, and good-looking with an endless drive to grow,
It comes as no surprise to see the young actor Khalil Ramos at the top of his game.
Baby Steps
“Our dynamic is quite different; some people are surprised by it pero talagang kulitan. We would prank each other, ganoon din ako growing up lagi nila akong niloloko, lagi nila akong pina-prank, lagi nila akong ginugulat, lagi nila akong inaasar.
“Siguro ganoon ’yung love language nila and eventually, ayon na rin ’yung naging love language namin sa isa’t isa na very kulitan ’yung bahay.
“Sometimes you would see, medyo chaotic. Naghahabulan, literal talaga, lalo na na-stuck kami ngayon sa bahay nitong pandemic. ’Yun ang bonding namin ng mommy ko, naghahabulan kami tapos babatuhin niya ako ng tsinelas tapos maggagantihan kami. Ganoon kami as a family.
“Growing up, ’yun ’yung fondest memory ko. It was music, fun, games, and adventures.”
Big Leap, Big Break
During his third year of high school in 2011, Khalil, together with his mom and younger brother, was about to migrate to the U.S. to live with his father who had a job opportunity available for him there. He even had plans to continue his tertiary education in the States.
But for some reason, Khalil decided on a whim to audition for the third season of the reality talent competition Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT). He learned of this chance through a friend, who happened to be the daughter of Aiai Delas Alas, who at the time was one of the three main judges of the show.
To this day, Khalil considers that “whim” to be one of the best but also one of the least thought about decisions he’s ever made in his life.
“’Yung audition, nangyari siya dahil ’yung anak ni Miss Aiai Delas Alas, si Sophia Delas Alas, was my classmate nung third year high school.
“We’re close, we’re very close friends. One day, out of the blue, I asked her, ‘Sophie, may bagong season ’yung PGT ‘noh? Nagpapa-audition ba sila ngayon?’ Naaalala ko Friday ’yon eh. Sabi niya, ‘Oo, tanungin ko si Mommy.’
“Nag-text siya that same night, ‘The audition is on Monday.’
“Iniisip ko na siya na parang, ‘Okay, after school siya, gawin ko kaya?’ I was thinking to myself. Then I came to a point na parang ‘Screw it! Who cares? Just do it.’
“It’s really a leap of faith and I’ve been taking leaps of faith ever since that first one.”
When his audition aired on national television, the then 15-year-old Khalil became an overnight sensation.
Despite going up against a variety of acts while admittedly still dealing with the effects that puberty had on his voice, Khalil was able to sing and charm his way into people’s hearts all the way to the grand finals.
“At that time I remember, it was the farthest I’d gone with whatever talent I had. So many people doubted me and just called me a pretty face with nothing but flats and sharps who can’t even hit the right notes. It came to a point na I got stage fright. I’m an introvert, eh.
“I was always nervous going into the live performances, it was the most courage that I’ve ever gathered in my entire life. As in pakapalan ng mukha. I had to own it, if not, wala, masasayang ’yung opportunity.
Ako, I was just winging it."
Going Full-Throttle
Shortly after his stint on Pilipinas Got Talent, more opportunities in showbiz started to come Khalil’s way. One such opportunity was the chance to act in his first ever TV series.
“My manager then from PGT told me na ‘When you’re turned over to your new management, sa Star Magic, may teleserye na.’
“Sabi ko, ‘Ha? Bakit may teleserye, eh ’di naman ako marunong umarte? Paano ’yon? Anong gagawin natin?’
“I remember my manager telling me, ‘No matter what it is, right now, what you have to do is strike while the iron is hot.’“
This curveball definitely threw Khalil for a loop.
Admittedly, acting was the one thing Khalil swore to never do. After miserably failing at his first and only VTR years back, his hesitation becomes clearly understandable.
He gives us a short backstory:
“Si Mommy noon dati, gusto akong gawing commercial model. ’Yung kuwento naman noon, my one and only, my first and last VTR for a commercial, I messed up.
“Ad lib siya, kunyari daw nagpu-puppet kami, may partner ako na babae. I didn’t say a word. Nginingitian ko lang silang lahat kasi sobrang shy nga ako.
“So sinabi ko kay Mommy, ‘Ayoko nang gawin ’yon forever.’ Pero sinabi niya na i-e-enroll niya ako sa acting workshop so that was the most experience that I got.”
Amid his doubts, his manager’s words deeply resonated with him. So once again, Khalil steeled himself and took yet another leap of faith.
“Pinanghawakan ko ’yun, eh. I can’t say no, how are you gonna say no to this? A role on national TV, aarte ka?
“Again, it was a leap of faith. I was with people who were much more experienced than I: Enrique Gil, Daniel Padilla, and Kathryn Bernardo, these up-and-coming big names. I had to prove myself a lot.
“Heading towards the project itself, sobrang effort ko para lang matutunan ko ’yung ropes. I had to learn the basics. I had to go the extra mile talking to the directors. They would give me constructive criticism on what to do and what not to do.”
The project Khalil referred to was the hit 2012 romantic-drama series titled Princess And I directed by Dado Lumibao, Francis Pasion, and Rory Quintos. This break was huge for Khalil; not only was it his teleserye debut, it was also what made him realize his own potential and passion for acting.
“I did this scene with Kathryn Bernardo and our director was the late Francis Pasion. It was a scene na medyo mabigat for my character kasi aaminin ko na ’yung feelings ko sa character ni Kathryn.
“So ang inisip ko noon, ‘Okay so this is your character’s big moment. Give everything. Lahat ng natutunan mo so far, buhos mo dito.’ And we did it, we did it in one take.
“Si Direk Francis, I will never ever forget this, pinatawag niya ako sa tent, I sat down beside him then he told me, ‘Khalil alam mo, grabe ’yung potential mo bilang aktor.’
He remembers the late director with much reverence.
“He was very candid and casual sa set. Hindi siya intimidating as a director. He was so kind to us pero he told me talaga, he held me close and sabi niya, ‘You have a long way to go but always keep improving your craft. ‘Wag mong bibitawan. Wherever you are right now sa estado mo, kung ano ’yung mentality mo, keep at it. Keep doing it. Anlaki ng potential mo because you have very expressive eyes and you have full control over your voice because you’re a singer.’
“Those were the two big things that really shocked me kasi turning point ’yon for me, really. Before that moment, naniniwala pa rin ako na hindi ako aktor, binigyan lang ako ng magandang pagkakataon. Maybe after this, if it’s not for me, I’ll just focus on singing.
“When he told me that, ’yung motivation ko, grabe, sobrang through the roof. That led me to work harder as an actor. And true enough, a lot of directors that I’ve worked with since then also praised my eyes and my voice control.”
Years have passed since the acclaimed director’s untimely passing in 2016 but Khalil still carries his words with him. Khalil also owes his acting career to Direk Francis and is forever thankful for lighting that fire in him.
“I was sad when he passed away a few years ago. Ang tragic nung nangyari pero that will always be forged in my memory. He’s one of the big reasons why I pursued my acting career.”
As an actor, his filmography is quite notable. He appeared in such critically acclaimed films as Kid Kulafu (2015), Honor Thy Father (2015), 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten (2016), Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 2: #ForeverIsNotEnough (2016), Dead Kids (2019), and LSS (2019).
In the future, Khalil hopes to work on even more projects that continue to test his dramatic abilities and portray stories that are relevant to our society.
“Most importantly, alongside that goal, is to be able to tell stories that would inspire people, that would resonate to people, and for generations and generations to come.
“I would want to be part of the films that will be studied like how I’m currently studying the films of these great filmmakers like Lino Brocka, stories written by Ricky Lee, films directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya. Films that had actors like Bembol Roco, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Eddie Garcia, lahat ng pinaka magagaling.”
Beyond Limits
Apart from being an accomplished singer and actor, Khalil also has a passion for the visual arts, specifically, photography and videography. As seen in his personal photography Instagram account, @shotbykhalilr, he loves capturing moments, from the mundane to the remarkable, through his own unique lens.
His journey as a visual storyteller began in 2010, way before he entered showbiz. During a family vacation in the U.S., they stayed with his aunt and her husband whom Khalil calls his Uncle Johnny, who was a photographer by profession. Upon seeing his Uncle’s collection of photography equipment, Khalil was immediately entranced.
“I remember the very first time that I saw his cabinet, sobrang overwhelming, intimidating na, ‘Whoa! Ano ’tong malalaking gamit na ’to?’ I’d never seen such a thing.”
And on that same trip, Khalil would go on to handle a professional camera for the first time when he went to see San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge with his dad and uncle to take pictures of the architectural marvel.
“We were going to San Francisco that time and my dad and Uncle Johnny wanted to take photos. Si Daddy, ini-encourage ni Uncle Johnny to make photography his hobby rin.
“‘Eh kasama ako so sabi ni Uncle Johnny, ‘Oh ‘eto, Kali, sa’yo na ‘to. Dalhin mo ‘to.’ I was fourteen years old and ’yung pinadala sa’kin ay ’yung pinakamalaking camera kasi hindi naman nila gagamitin kasi wala namang wildlife masyado doon.
“Now that I’m more aware of it, ’yung gusto mong kunan doon ay ’yung mga tao, landscapes, and Golden Gate Bridge. Aanhin mo ’yung malaking lens na naka-zoom nang todo? ’Yun ’yung pinadala sa’kin.
“And then he taught me lang how to use it, mabilis lang. ’Yung reaction ko, ‘Ano daw? Ano sabi mo?’ Hindi ko naintindihan masyado.
“When we arrived there, I started taking photos. ‘Nung sumilip ako sa viewfinder, wala akong makita, clouds lang, kasi nga naka-zoom. Hindi ko makunan ’yung Golden Gate Bridge kasi sobrang naka-zoom tapos silang dalawa ng daddy ko, nag-e-enjoy, nagpi-picture sila kasi ang ganda ng lens na gamit nila. Nagmukhang akong engot na anliit na bata, ang laki ng dala kong lens.”
Frustrated, Khalil resorted to taking pictures of the many seagulls flying around the area with his comically huge camera until the three of them got tired from their photo walk.
“When we were eating, sinisikreto ko pa ’yung mga photos ko, feeling ko ang ganda naman nitong mga nakunan ko. Nung pinakita ko kay Uncle Johnny, na-impress siya. Another turning point in my life ’yon.
“He told me ‘You have an eye for photography.’ He told me straight, while reviewing the photos, ‘Oh, may eye ka ‘ah. Kita mo ’to oh, ang ganda ng composition mo nung sea gull.’ I had no idea kung ano ’yung ginawa ko. Tinapat ko lang, kinuna ko. ’Yun na ’yon.
“It’s that same mentality na ‘Just do it, ’di ba?’ My journey started there and pinanghawakan ko rin ’yung sinabi ni Uncle Johnny just like nung pinanghawakan ko ’yung sinabihan ako na may potential akong umarte.
“From that day, dahil photographer ’yung uncle ko, naniwala ako. ‘Ah may mata ako sa photography.’ Lagi ko ’yon iniisip.”
Unfortunately for Khalil, he wasn’t able to explore this new creative pursuit when it came time for them to return to the Philippines. Photography was not exactly the cheapest of hobbies, so Khalil had to put that one in the back burner.
“Bumalik ’yung interest ko nung gumanda ’yung smartphone technology. The year 2015 was an important one in my life.
“I started taking photos again during a trip to Japan with my family. Siyempre kasi bagong lugar so iniisip ko, ‘Hmm, try ko mag-take ng photos creatively. Hindi lang ’yung picture ng mga event.’ Nag-aral ako sa YouTube, ganito raw ’yung editing, ganito raw ’yung composition.
“In-apply ko siya first time sa Japan.”
Khalil also continued his studies in 2015. He took up Digital Film Making at the College of Saint Benilde in Manila while juggling his showbiz commitments. Whether he was in school or on set, Khalil sought to absorb and learn whatever he could from both his professors and the professionals he worked with on the field.
“Our first major client was a local airline company and they tasked us with a bunch of digital projects for one whole year. That trained me how to be an effective producer and assistant director.”
Through his work with LIMITLESS Productions, Khalil was able to hone not just his director’s eye, but also other skills that come with running a company as well such as his business acumen and logistic skills.
“We had to run a business and we had no idea how. Oh my gosh, kailangang magpa-register ng ganito kasi i-a-accredit ka ng mga kliyente mo. Tax, I had no idea how tax worked for companies, andaming process and everything.
“I was tasked to do our finances. ‘Bakit n’yo binigay sa’kin ’yung finance? ’Di ako magaling sa math!’ Alam ko daw kasi ’yung mga rates sabi ng partners ko so I had to know how to cost properly. So ’yun, na-train ako eventually.
“’Yung expertise ko was working with the camera, I always loved photography and videography, so in-apply ko siya nang in-apply. ‘Til now, throughout the four years of my training with LIMITLESS Productions, I’ve learned so much.”
One of the projects Khalil directed was Gabbi Garcia’s music video for her debut single, “All I Need,” which they shot in Hong Kong.
Khalil, however, is not stopping there. He has already mapped out where he wants to take his visual storytelling career in the future.
“As a filmmaker, in the next 10 years, I hope to be able to write and direct my first feature film within that time span. I would be 34 by that time and the average age of a director debuting their film here in the Philippines is between 28 to 35.
“Siyempre, it would take a while for your artistic expression to grow and to find your voice as a writer and director. By that time, I should be ready to do so.”
A Stranger Appears
Khalil’s professional career and creative endeavors aren’t the only things he has going on right now.
He has quite the blooming personal life, too. He’s been in a three-year relationship with the Kapuso Millennial It Girl and Global Endorser Gabbi Garcia.
And the beginnings of their relationship is quite a story.
Flashback to 2015, Kapamilya actress Julia Barretto was celebrating her 18th birthday at a grand debut held in Makati Shangri-la. Khalil was there as part of the debutante’s 18 Roses. The two were close since they both hailed from the same TV Network.
Then entered this girl in a glamorous off-shoulder gown with her hair tied into a sleek low pony.
“When she walked in the room, head turner talaga kasi she was all made up.”
This head turner of a stranger was, of course, none other than Gabbi, who was also invited since she and Julia were part of the same high school barkada in St. Paul College Pasig.
Khalil admits that he had no idea who Gabbi was at that time and that all he knew was that he was both intrigued and intimidated by this young woman.
“Before I met Gabbi during Julia’s 18th birthday, I had never heard of her. She just started her career at the time. She was 16 pa lang noon ‘eh. I’ve never seen her anywhere pero I was really drawn to her talaga agad the first time I saw her. I didn’t know she was an actress, akala ko parang kamag-anak ni Julia or friend.
“Her look was quite intimidating. So that’s the actual first impression. Medyo, ‘Whoa, sobrang glamorous naman ng babaeng ’to.’
“When I approached her and started talking to her, she was such a sweet girl. Her personality was super sweet, very bubbly, energetic, and super kind.
“And yes, it holds true until now. A lot of people admire her, including myself, for her personality. She’s a very well-rounded person, easy to talk to, we could go on talking hours and hours and hindi ka magsasawa sa pakikipagkuwentuhan sa kaniya kasi mahilig din siya makipagkuwentuhan.”
After their movie-like “meet cute,” the two officially started dating in 2017 but kept everything lowkey for a while. It wasn’t until 2018 when Khalil went public with their relationship after being put on the hot seat in his interview with Boy Abunda.
When talking about his relationship with Gabbi, Khalil emphasizes just how special their bond is, even going so far as to call her a “life partner.”
“This is probably the most mature and strongest relationship I’ve ever been in. I’m proud to say that Gabbi and I really worked on it.
“We learned from our mistakes in the past that we didn’t want to commit in the future. We were both on that same page. We wanted it to work and we wanted it to be long term.
She’s really a life partner. She really helps in all aspects sa buhay ko.”
Khalil has an excellent relationship with Gabbi’s parents, Vince and Tes Lopez, as well. When they were first introduced, one of the first things he found out about them was that they voted for him back when he was still competing in Pilipinas Got Talent.
“Sabi nila na they’re big fans of me dati to the point that her mom did vote for me. I was super flattered hearing that from them.
“Sobrang maganda 'yung pagtanggap sa’kin ng family niya. At that time, we had just started dating. Thankfully, they really welcomed me. They would often invite me to dinner, to lunch. Sobrang bait nila.”
Guess Khalil can confidently say that he already earned her parents’ vote even before they actually started dating.
#WelcomeKapusongKhalil
On October 13, 2020, Khalil signed a management contract with his new talent agency, GMA Artist Center, and officially became a Kapuso.
Asked about the reason why he transferred networks, Khalil frankly admits then that this decision was not one of those leaps of faith that he’s been doing for most of his career.
In fact, this career decision was not done on a whim, but one done after months and months of careful deliberation.
“Well, this was a more formal move and a decision that was really well thought of. This is, so far, one of the biggest decisions that I had to make in my life. It took awhile for me to really decide. I just had to be with my thoughts and ponder about the whole situation.
“Leading towards this decision, I thought about a lot of things: about my future, what the future holds, my current anxieties, the uncertainty of things in the future.
GMA made me feel that this is where I will be best fit to pursue whatever dreams I want to pursue.”
Now that the dust has settled, Khalil couldn’t be any happier with his decision. When the news about his network transfer came out, he received an outpouring of love and support from everyone.
“I feel super happy right now, everyone’s so kind, so loving. Lahat ng tao, just really welcomed me with open arms.
“A lot of my co-actors from my previous network wished me well and good luck. I feel really loved. Sobrang nakakataba ng puso and I’m super excited for what’s in store.”
Just a few weeks after his contract signing, Khalil and Gabbi received the surprise of their lives.
They were asked to go to GMA Network for what they thought was only a routine swab test for an upcoming guesting. While taking a BTS footage, the two were suddenly approached by a camera crew and were handed a red envelope. When they looked at what’s inside, Khalil and Gabbi jumped for joy for it contained details about their new project: their first ever series together!
Khalil and Gabbi are now gearing up for their upcoming miniseries titled Love You Stranger and fans can’t wait to see the “Real-to-Reel” couple’s chemistry onscreen.
With his creativity, discipline, and drive, it would not be impossible for Khalil to carve his own niche and achieve many milestones as a Kapuso sooner than later.
He’s done many admirable acts in the past. He could pull off many more in the future.
But we can save that for another story.
