Dion Ignacio keeps busy with a TV show, a rock band and martial arts

  Just months after Magdalena, Kapuso leading man Dion Ignacio is back in the Afternoon Prime block via the drama series, Maghihintay Pa Rin.   The StarStruck alumnus’ newest challenge is to breathe life into Orlando, who will be the rival of Kiko (Rafael Rosell) to the affections of Geneva (Bianca King).   The grayness of Ignacio’s  latest character serves as a motivation for  him to explore his facets as an actor.  He admits, “ Parang medyo kinakapa ko pa ‘yung character ko. Siguro, mas lalabas ‘yung ugali niya kapag pumunta na ‘yung character ni Rafael sa ibang bansa.”   Ignacio’s Orlando in Maghihintay Pa Rin is a good friend of Kiko who secretly pines for Kiko’s girlfriend, Geneva. Since Geneva’s mom is against Kiko, he gets framed up and ends up in jail abroad. Orlando takes this vulnerable situation into his own hands and proposes to Geneva.   Several scenes would be filmed in Singapore, and Ignacio reveals that this adds pressure on his part. He shares, “First time kong pupunta sa ibang bansa kaya medyo kinakabahan ako. Buti na lang may kasama ako at work naman ang ipupunta ko ‘dun. ‘Di pa ako nakakapag-research tungkol sa Singapore pero kung may oras, pwede siguro mag-Universal Studios.”   Though not much of a jet-setter, it is interesting to note that when the cameras are not rolling, the clean-cut Kapuso actor is a rocker and Martial Arts enthusiast.   He confesses, “Sobrang passion ko rin ‘yung paggigitara, ‘yung music. Off-cam, naggigitara ako sa band na Philia. Metal po iyon!”   He adds, “Nagmi-mixed Martial Arts din ako. Gusto ko rin ipakita ‘yung skills ko, pero bago pa lang ako. So siguro, mapapakita ko iyon sa role na pang-action. Siguro, si Bela ang gusto kong maka-partner kapag nag-action ako. Magaan ‘yung loob ko sa kanya.”   Ignacio’s career in showbiz has spanned 10 years since his StarStruck days, and he looks forward to more roles that would test his abilities. Without hesitation, he declares, “Gay role talaga ang gustung-gusto kong gampanan.”   In this day and age, there would certainly be a place for someone like Dion Ignacio to show what he has got. Watch Dion as the lovelorn Orlando in Maghihintay Pa Rin, only on GMA Afternoon Prime. -- Samantha Portillo, GMANetwork.com