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Aside from Christian Bautista and Teejay Marquez, another Filipino celebrity made a name in Indonesia: Leo Consul. He became a host of the Indonesian franchises of Filipino noontime shows Eat Bulaga and It's Showtime.

“It's overwhelming kasi, siyempre, hindi ko naman sariling bansa yun, hindi naman natin kalahi. But they welcomed me and they embraced me as a talent or an artist sa sarili nilang bansa. It's a huge deal,” Leo said about how his showbiz career in Indonesia unfolded.

Leo spoke with GMANetwork.com and other entertainment media when he was recently introduced as a new talent of ALV Talent Circuit.

After graduating from college at the University of the Philippines Baguio in 2004, Leo went to Indonesia to teach at a private school.

According to him, he was coincidentally scouted while he was at a mall. He did not initially realize that the person was from Sony BMG, who offered him a chance to become part of a boy band.

However, the project did not push through, even though he had already done recordings, because his working visa was not processed in time.

“So, they kicked me out a few weeks before the launch. Kaya naisip ko baka para hindi sa akin yung. Parang first heartbreak ko sa entertainment industry,” Leo recalled.

Because his initial attempt to enter the Indonesian entertainment industry failed, he decided to return to the Philippines. Not long after, however, he received another offer—this time to host the Indonesian franchise of a Philippine noontime show.

This opportunity, he said, opened the doors to more opportunities in Indonesia, including roles in several television series and films.

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A post shared by Leo Consul (@consulleo)

That is why, even as he now plans to focus on his showbiz career in the Philippines, Leo said he will never leave behind what he started in Indonesia.

“Kahit gusto kong mag-focus sa Pilipinas, I cannot just leave just like that because I owe them kung anuman ako ngayon. Nandito ako ngayon because of them, so I cannot just leave them. I owe them a huge chunk of my success story.”

Instead, Leo said he will continue working on improving his hosting and acting skills.

He explained, “It's also a pressure kasi you have to constantly improve yourself, na I deserve this role, I deserve this job. Kasi, may mga locals din dun, parang, 'Bakit naman naming bibigay sa 'yo? More good-looking than you, more talented than you, so bakit sa 'yo?' So, nandun yung challenge. But 16 years, nairaos ko naman.”

Watch Leo Consul's life story on Magpakailanman here:

Now, at the request of his parents, specifically his stepfather, who wants to see him on screen in the Philippines, Leo is trying to become more established in Philippine showbiz.

He related, “It's hard po kasi na every time na tatawagan mo or video call, 'O, kailan ka uuwi? Hanggang kailan ka diyan? Hanggang kailan ka namin makakasama?'”

Leo shared that there are already some acting projects waiting for him, but he prefers not to reveal them yet.

He explained, “I'm a firm believer, lalo na sa showbiz industry, na tell no one until it's done. Kasi, mahirap na baka makuryente.”

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