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Mario Bautista, has been with the entertainment industry for more than 4 decades. He writes regular columns for People's Journal and Malaya.

Nov 19, 2021

FORMER HASHTAG DANCER WILBERT ROSS GIVEN HIS BIGGEST BREAK AS LEADING MAN OF AJ RAVAL IN ROMCOM 'CRUSH KONG CURLY'

 

























WILBERT ROSS joined showbiz five years ago when he was 19 as a member of the male group Hashtags in “Showtime”. 


When the group lied low, he became a youtube vlogger and then Viva got him to do a supporting role in the TV series, “Puto”, where the star is his co-Hashtag member McCoy de Leon.


He was given a bigger role in the movie “Shoot Shoot, Di Kita Titigilan” with Andrew E. and AJ Raval. 


And now, he plays a starring role opposite AJ in the romantic comedy directed by GB Sampedro, “Crush Kong Curly”. So how is it to play a lead role?


“Sa totoo lang, hindi ko ine-expect ang project na ito,” he says.”Nabigla ako when they told me lead na ako. 


"Buti na lang, never ko naisipang mag-quit ng showbiz kahit nang mawala na ang Hashtags, kasi I feel na habang buhay ako, may chance, may pag-asa pa. 


"I feel so lucky kasi akala ng ibang tao, masungit ako, pero ang totoo, mahiyain lang talaga ako kasi before Hashtags, probinsiyano talaga ako. Dito na lang ako sa showbiz na-expose sa maraming tao.”


Is there any pressure in playing his first lead role? How did he prepare for it? 


“May pressure, kasi sa ‘Puto’ konti lang ang lines ko and in ‘Shoot Shoot’, supporting lang ako. And now, dito, lead na ako, ang hahaba ng lines ko. 


"Actually, wala akong preparasyon kasi kulang na sa time. When they told me about it, two days na lang, pull out na kami me for the shoot. Ni hindi ako nagka-time para makapag-workout man lang sana.”


So he just did his preparation right on their lock in set. 


“During the lock in shoot, everyday, I read my lines sa hotel, I practice my reactions sa eksena. 


"At naging makulit ako kay Direk GB Sampedro at sa staff, asking them all, just to make sure kung tama ba ang delivery ng lines ko, kung okay ba ang acting ko. Kasi hangga't maari, ayokong magkamali ako sa harap ng kamera.”

So what’s his role in “Crush Kong Curly”? 


“Isa akong dating seminarista na umalis sa pagpapari at naging architect. Then I met AJ Raval na isang influencer who does sexy things and I judged her. Sabi ko, immoral siya, but yun pala mai-in love ako sa kanya.” 


AJ is one of the busiest sexy stars in Viva and is tagged as the new Pantasya ng Bayan. Does he fantasize about her? 


“Hindi ko siya pinapantasya. Sexy siya, maganda, but I admire her in a way na walang malisya. Sa shoot, kahit sa love scenes, cool lang kami, walang malisya.”


So he was not carried away in their bedscenes? 


“Honestly, hindi po. Lagi kong ina-assure sa kanya na hindi siya maba-violate. Tinatanong ko muna sa kanya kung anong puedeng gawin at kung anong bawal. May restrictions kasi siya about touching and I respect that. 


"But masaya ako kasi nagka-bonding na kami ni AJ sa ‘Shoot Shoot’. First time ko gumawa ng bed scenes at buti na lang si AJ ang kapartner ko kaya hindi na ako nahiya, hindi ako nag-feel awkward.”


Does he have a girlfriend who might get jealous? 


“None. Matagal na akong single. I am just more focused sa work ko, lalo ngayong nabibigyan ako ng mas magandang opportunities sa career ko.” 


Is he happy to leave Hashtags? 


“As a group, five years na rin kami and we’re thankful just that we’ve been part of Showtime. So at this stage, ready na kami to move on sa bagong stage ng aming careers.”


What can he say about McCoy de Leon who is now a dad? 


“Well, I’m just so happy for McCoy. Kasi, sila ni Loisa, from PBB naging real life sila, then nag break and nagbalikan, at ngayon, may baby na sila. They’re really meant for each other.”


Direk GB Sampedro says Wilbert is a student who learns easily.


“Actually, sila ni AJ,first time ko to direct them both, so kinilala ko muna sila in a series of meetings para makapa ko kung anong klase ang personalities nila. Shooting went on smoothly kasi they really gave their best in playing their roles.” 


“Crush Kong Curly” also stars Gina Pareno, Maui Taylor, Jao Mapa, Sab Aggabao, Gene Padilla, Chad Kinis, Andrew Muhlach, Gab Lagman, Madelaine Red, Loren Marinas. It starts streaming on Vivamax on December 17.


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