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Carlo Aquino’s resume trumps any other teen star his age.
After acting on film and television with the likes of Vilma Santos, Cesar Montano, and Christopher de Leon, Carlo Aquino’s resume trumps any other teen star his age. He tells iGMA his secrets in becoming a true blue thespian. Text by KC M. Abalos. Photos by Mitch S Mauricio and GMA Network. Anyone can be a star. If you have the right connections or the right publicist, one can easily become a sensation. But Carlo Aquino is not in showbiz for the lights nor for the money. He is here to perfect his craft—acting. Is this the reason why he switched mother stations? The Big Switch He answered, “bilang isang aktor, kailangan mong makakilala ng iba’t ibang uri ng tao. Kasi growth niyo po rin ‘yun eh, para sa pagiging artista at isang indibidwal.” This answer alone gave us the idea that we are not talking to the usual teen idol! But more than his words, it is Carlo’s previous roles which confirm his convictions and character. Lualhati Bautista’s Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa, Bagong Buwan, and Mano Po: III are only some of his impressive portrayals. But his versatility as an actor does not stop at drama. He has also done his share of romantic teen flicks. He has even spoofed his famous scene in Bata, Bata for the hit comedy film, Tanging Ina. He has never stopped at honing his skills. The child actor is now an artist. Of course, it does not hurt that he learned from the best in the industry. He shares, “Ginagamit ko po ‘yun para makakilala ako ng iba’t ibang tao at iba’t ibang character. Para ‘yung pag-portray mo, mas maging malawak.” Heavy Drama In Carlo’s first project in GMA, he wowed everyone in the Sinenovela version of Sinasamba Kita, playing the lovestruck role of Oscar once made famous by Philip Salvador. Currently, he is busy at work on another Sinenovela, the Lino Brocka classic, Maging Akin Ka Lamang. Here, he is Ernie, another obsessive lover. It was once played by the one and only Jay Ilagan. "Idol ko din ‘yun eh, siyempre malaking karangalan ‘yun sa akin.” He replies when asked how it feels to be given such plum roles. Then adds, “pero alam ko naman na kung anong husay ko ‘di ko talaga maangatan ang isang Jay Ilagan kaya kung ano man ‘yung magawa [ko] sa role na Ernie sana mapangatawanan ko ‘tsaka magustuhan ng mga televiewers.” Hmm, it is becoming obvious that there is a pattern here. Among the young actors, there is no one else who can give justice and depth to these challenging characters except Carlo. Click here for a sample of Carlo’s acting! They may both be losers in love but is there a difference as to how he depicts Oscar and Ernie? He describes Oscar as more simple and ordinary. "Kasi si Ernie, nerd, geek. ‘Yung pagmamahal niya kay Rosita, ‘yun ang nakakasira sa kanya.” Pure Passion For a 23-year old, he is certainly way too young to have experienced such destructive obsession. Where does he draw the emotions that he so easily projects onscreen? “Siyempre important kasi ‘yung binabasa mo ‘yung script. ‘Yung mga salitang ginagamit ng role. Kasi pag pumasok ka sa role ibang tao na ‘yun eh.” He continues, “siymepre ‘yung gabay ni direk Gil Tejada, alam kong magaling si direk. Alam kong ‘di ako mapapabayaan.” Lastly, how does he keep the passion going? Doesn’t he get exhausted from constantly becoming someone he is not. “’Di ko alam,” he smiles like the true kid that he is. Then once again gets serious. We notice he is serious when talking about the art of acting. “Iyun nga, nanoonod ako ng nanoond ng pelikula. Hindi lang Hollywood meron din mga French, etc. Kasi ‘pag ganun, may makikita ako tapos I have to work harder. Para lumaki pa ‘yung nalalaman ko sa pag-arte.” Catch more of Carlo in Maging Akin Ka Lamang only at GMA’s Dramarama sa Hapon. Talk about this Sinenovela at the iGMA Forum! Here are more stories about the show! New Tandem, New Twist Loving to the Limit Bring it On Getting the Roles