Is Mark Neumann Tv5's Favorite Among 'Artista Academy' Discoveries?

MARK NEUMANN is enjoying his role as Ogie Alcasid’s brother in TV5’s endearing tawaserye, “Confessions of a Torpe”, that audience find very funny. “After the movie ‘The Lady Next Door’ with Alice Dixson, this is my second biggest assignment,” says the Fil-Croatian actor who was discovered in “Artista Academy”. “This is my first regular series with me playing one of the main roles, Hanley. Parang family kami ng co-stars ko rito like Ogie Alcasid, Gelli de Belen, Alice Dixson, Bibeth Orteza who’s my lola, Shaira Mae who’s my love interest and the rest of the cast, plus our director, Soxy Topacio. We tape every other day and we promote it in out of town shows. It’s great to be busy.”

So he’s now recognized in public? “Yes. Marami ng nakakakilala, also because of my exposure din in ‘Tropa Mo Ko Unli’.”

Some folks say he’s a favorite of TV5 so he’s never without an assignment. “Hindi naman. Everyone naman gets his turn. Lahat kami sa ‘Artista Academy’ is under contract for five years. Basta happy naman ako sa takbo ng career ko. From my earnings, I was able to buy my own car.”

Some detractors say it’s actually a gift from a gay benefactor. “Not true. Naghihirap ako sa taping, so I don’t need a rich gay patron. Whatever I want to have in life, paghihirapan ko na lang by working hard.”

Would he say he’s also a torpe in real life like his role in “Confessions of a Torpe”? “Yes, kasi pag may gusto ko sa girl, hindi ako makapagsalita ng maayos. Nahihiya ako. Unlike kung hindi ko crush, normal lang ang behaviour ko.”