Sparkle’s Kevin Dasom is about to make his TV series debut next week. Not too long ago, the 31-year-old hooper-turned-pageant king was all over the world playing professional basketball. Taking an unexpected turn, Kevin decided to put pro hoops to the side for another value-adding pursuit: show business.

Kevin, turning 32 this June, is a Thai-Irish former professional basketball player who has found success in modeling and male pageantry. Now, he's trying his luck in acting.

In December 2024, Sparkle GMA Artist Center welcomed him to its growing roster of talents, as the budding actor makes his careful transition to being a bona fide Kapuso artist. 

HOOPER, PAGEANT KING, LEADING MAN
Entering a new pursuit naturally requires the hard labors of upskilling and having to navigate unfamiliar grounds, but for Kevin, it’s all about the grind that makes one a valuable asset.

“The main quest should always be providing value to everybody's life that you meet and reach, whether it’s basketball or the entertainment industry, that's my goal. That's my purpose,” he told GMA Regional TV News after the press conference of “Bininibining Marikit” on Monday, where he is set to star alongside Herlene Budol, Tony Labrusca, and Pokwang.

In fact, it was never part of his 'bingo card' to pursue an on-screen career, much less get signed to a three-year contract with a premiere artist center outside Thailand.

“It did not occur to me,” he remarked with a smile, citing that the “decision to completely put aside pro basketball and to come to the entertainment industry 100% was a very mentally and emotionally stressful thing.”

The 6-foot-2 Thai national boasts a 10-year career as a pro, having journeyed into the heart of Asia and Europe (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy, Indonesia, Croatia, Indonesia, Hongkong, and China) to compete. His most recent tour was a stint in the Thailand Basketball League (TBL) last August 2024. 

Ballers that leave their profession for a promising career in showbiz aren’t necessarily new to the Philippine entertainment industry, but Kevin’s case is a bit unique.

For one, he does not have any Filipino blood.

He is born to a Thai mother who hails from Northeast Thailand in a province called Khon Kaen, though he spent most of his formative years in the southern parts of the country. 

“GMA took a gamble on me because I'm not Filipino. I am Thai. And for them to sign me to a long-term deal here in the Philippines, it gave me confidence…” shared the Sparkle actor.

Despite the obvious challenges, Kevin is optimistic that adjusting won’t be a problem, as he brings with him the “commitment, dedication, sacrifice, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears”  he learned from competitive basketball.

“I am glad I was able to have good mentors and good people around me and I have that around me as well with GMA,” the Manhunt International 2024 grand winner added.

“BINIBINING MARIKIT”
As Kevin makes his TV series debut when he plays Matt in the upcoming family rom-com “Binibining Marikit,” he sets his budding showbiz career in motion.

While he’s not closing his doors on possibly lacing up and playing on the hardcourt again, he wants to zero in on what’s in front of him now.

“If you ever played video games, you know you can definitely take on two quests at the same time, but the main quest should always be providing value to everybody's life that you meet and reach– whether it’s basketball or the entertainment industry. That’s my goal. That's my purpose.” 

“If I have a TV role, like right now, then my goal would be to do my best, my absolute best no matter how tired I am, how sleepy I am, how stressed I am– it doesn't matter as long as I’m doing my best,” he concluded.

“Binibining Marikit” will premiere on GMA Afternoon Prime on February 10, 2:30 p.m.