Benjamin Alves reveals he went through years of rejection before getting acting break

Before he became a renowned actor especially when it comes to romance dramas, Benjamin Alves had to go through years of rejection.

In a “Share Ko Lang” episode, the “Owe My Love” actor said that he tried to get into acting from 2006 to 2009 but he continued to face many failures.

“Ang hirap kasing i-admit na nabigo ka or ang hirap i-admit na nag-fail ka sa dream mo noong bata ka. Ang hirap sabihin na hindi mo na puwedeng gawin ’yun,” Benjamin said. 

[It’s hard to admit that you didn’t succeed or it’s hard to admit that you failed to get your dream when you were a kid. It’s hard to say that you can’t do that anymore.]

After a while, he said he had to be honest with himself and decided to go back to school “to find a sense of security and confidence” that he lost in those three years of rejections.

He went to study English literature at University of Guam, where he later graduated as a scholar and a summa cum laude.

“I got summa cum laude because if you keep a certain grade or average, you don’t have to pay for the tuition,” the actor said.

He said he went to university even during Christmas and summer breaks.

During that time, he wanted to take a master of education course and become a professor after getting his undergraduate degree.

Although he was passionate about teaching, his dream of becoming an actor never faded away.

Benjamin said he could not watch Filipino shows in Guam because he felt regret.

“I made a mistake one time of watching TV, of local TV and I saw my contemporary, ’yung kasama kong nagbi-video or nag-o-audition dati na given the opportunity. While I was completely happy for them, you can’t help na manghinayang kasi dapat nandoon ka rin,” Benjamin said. 

[I made a mistake one time of watching TV, of local TV and I saw my contemporary given the opportunity, the people I was with when we we were just going to auditions. While I was completely happy for them, you can’t help but feel regret that you should be there as well.]

He said he began doubting himself and questioning his decisions. “‘Tingnan mo kung nag-stay ka lang,’ eh kasi ’yun ang mga nagsisimulang ma-realize sa sarili mo, eh (‘Look, if you only stayed,’ those are the first things you realize within yourself).”

For the longest time, Benjamin said he avoided watching Filipino shows until he was graduating and ready to take the next step.

“I was graduating and then I really had to ask myself, ‘why did I choose to finish school so fast?’ And the reason why I finish school in two and a half years is because I want to give myself a chance to come back,” the actor said.

“I was in a healthier state and mindset ... ‘OK ... I won’t be hard on myself. There won’t be envy or jealousy towards them or resentment towards my decision because I am in the right place and I am done with my education. I’m in a happier state. Now I can choose,’” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

When he came back to the Philippines, everything fell into place for the actor, especially since GMA was also in need of leading men during that time.

“I really do believe in timing,” Benjamin said, adding that he got everything he wanted during those three years that he worked hard and he was accepted at  GMA.

Looking back at the years he spent auditioning and studying, the actor said that he wouldn’t change any of it.

“You close it in your head but in life, life has plans for you,” Benjamin said. – Kaela Malig/RC, GMA News