His second movie, Deathrow, where he played a teenage prisoner confined with hardened criminals in death row, got him more acting nominations. GMA-7 also got him to star in several shows: the youth oriented program, Click; the Sunday noon time musical variety show, S.O.P. and the soap opera, Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin. His schedule became so hectic he stopped going to school and became notorious for being unprofessional, perennially reporting late on the set of his shows and movies.
"I feel so fortunate stardom was offered to me on a silver platter," he says. "But I admit I became somewhat negligent because I didn’t know showbiz work can be that taxing and grueling. I have since realized that with the good breaks I’m getting, comes a lot of responsibility and I now try to report promptly to my shootings and tapings."
On the set of his new soap, he was very punctual on the set. "I’m rather scared of our director, Joel Lamangan. He’s very professional and I don’t want to be reprimanded by him. When I don’t wake up early enough, I tell my mom to pour cold water on my face para magising ako nang maaga."
Is it true he watched over Sunshine Dizon overnight when she was confined in a hospital recently? "Yes, it’s true," he tells us.
People say this is a clear indication that the rumor they’re now going steady is true. "Not really. I don’t think there’s anything wrong naman kung bantayan ko siya because we’re very close and I care for her as a friend. Our friendship started when we were paired in Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin and we got even closer now that we play the leads in Kung Mawawala Ka.
With his celebrity status came the intrigues, like the rumor linking him to Piolo Pascual and that he is hooked on Ecstasy along with Sunshine.
"At first, I was affected and got annoyed, but I have since learned to just laugh them off, pati si Sunshine, because we know naman that it’s not true. Kung sasagot kami, hahaba pa, so huwag na lang."
He says he likes his role as Carlitos in Kung Mawawala Ka better than his previous soap.
"It’s more challenging for me because I project a more mature image, particularly now that my parents in the show, Vic Vargas and Marianne de la Riva, were killed and I have become the padre de familia sa amin. There is also a new twist when Tita Armida Siguion Reyna was added in the cast. She plays my lola who came home from the States after my parents were murdered."
So how is it working with former MTRCB Chair? "Seryoso siya sa trabaho but she is fun to be with. Masaya kami sa set. I enjoy doing Kung Mawawala Ka because it also reunited with me Tito Eddie Garcia, Sunshine’s father in the story. I have fond memories of working with him in Deathrow where he played my mentor and savior. I’m also happy because we’re told Kung Mawawala Ka is rating so well kaya tinapatan ito ng rival station ng game show nila. We work so hard taping our episodes three times a week and it paid off." Cogie is all set to go back to Brent School in Santa Rosa, Laguna, this September.
"I’ll be in Grade Nine. I realized kasi na sayang naman ang studies ko. I really wish to finish high school and later on take up Business Management in college because I want to start early and have my own business."
He has also finished a new movie with Judy Ann Santos for Regal, tentatively titled Asa Ka Pa.
"I was told it will be released in August, in time for my 17th birthday on Aug. 15. Also, I’m all set to start a new movie for Direk Joey Reyes where I will play a ghost. This is a reunion for Direk Joey and me because he was the one who gave me a break in Yakapin Mo Ang Umaga when I was only 14." He has since grown in height and now stands 5’10."
"Right now, I also work out almost everyday so I won’t look so skinny on screen," he ends.