Matt shifts from fantasy to comedy

Matt Evans decided to cut his long, Afro-styled hair not because his head has already become literally too big for a hat.

He remains humble even if he instantly got the public’s nod when he played the title role in fantasy adventure TV series twice in a row, starred alongside veteran actors in the small and big screens and become an image model for name brands.

All these happened after he was booted out in a reality show two years ago.

He has remained polite and the yearning to do better in his craft has become more intense. He has attended acting workshops during his spare time and changed his looks to a much appealing one.

“I just curled it (hair) before and since I’m 20 now, I thought of changing my look from carefree to decent,” Matt says. “So I can also be effective doing serious roles.”

But not to the point of acting beyond his age, Matt hastens to add. “I can show better acting now. Acting my age is one good way of letting everyone see the real me — my serious and kenkoy side.”

Televiewers have seen Matt as responsible for saving the world from wickedness on ABS-CBN’s Pedro Penduko and cry buckets for love as Toby Torralba on Iisa Pa Lamang. This time, he shows his lighter side every Sunday night at 6 on TV5’s Everybody Hapi with witty co-stars Eugene Domingo, John Estrada, Long Mejia, Cathy Gonzaga and Roxanne Guinoo. He considers his character Steve a breather from the fast-paced action moves and heavy acting he has been doing.

“Less pressure,” Matt describes his new role.

“Everybody feels light yet responsible enough to be comically fascinating in most of the scenes. Kung may galit, galit-galitan lang.”

Does he find the role less challenging?

“No. It’s harder to put televiewers in stitches because basically Pinoys love drama. We always look for a story that we can relate our life into and really have this soft spot, yung maawain ba,” Matt replies.

That is why, Matt admires Dolphy for being funny at one time and drenching televiewers in tears in another. “I’m amazed at his talent. Hopefully, I can also do it.”

So far, Matt has been doing great as far as putting smiles on everyone’s face especially to his family. He tries to give in to his brothers Mark and Akira’s whims and wishes aside from sending them to high school. He also bought his mom Vivien a new ref for her home-based business which he put up for her in their Project 4 home.

“I always share to them whatever I have. I feel happier that way.”

And though he has succeeded in getting a fair share of popularity, Matt continues to live simply. He still shops for best buys in places where common people go like Raon in Quiapo and rides in a tricycle as if he didn’t own a car.

“I still get audio equipment like speakers for my sound system there without any hassle. They recognize me but I don’t brag about myself, I’m not used to it,” Matt muses.

What he loves best is make everybody happy.