You can count on Calvin M.

Even after all these years in the business, there are times that singer-stage actor Calvin Millado feels like an outsider looking in.

During a recent press gathering, Calvin confessed that even growing up with a brother like actor-director Chris Millado, and despite all the plays and musicals he’s done, he still doesn’t consider himself a full-time performer. He is a full-time dad (to son Santi, eight, and daughter Maya, four), a businessman (he’s into used cars and can talk about them for hours), an avid golfer and has other interests besides showbiz.

 “When people talk about theater, wala akong alam,” laughs Calvin, last seen in Rock of Ages. “I don’t read books (about theater or acting). I’m a car enthusiast and a member of the Mercedes Benz Club of the Philippines. When it comes to acting, I’m an outsider. Would you believe I’ve never even seen a Star Wars movie? My friends can’t believe it. They keep saying, ‘What? Are you serious?’”

But Calvin says having interests outside of showbiz is what keeps him sane. Because he is not immersed in the entertainment business 24/7, when he does sign on to do an entertainment project, he comes to the table with a fresh perspective and is always excited. Another upside is that he doesn’t get so involved in the negative things that come with showbiz, such as intrigues and gossips. For instance, when he was picked as a last-minute addition to the cast of the forthcoming stage musical Aladdin — mounted by Atlantis Productions — some people from the entertainment press pointed out that as someone who’s done more than 10 plays, he should have his pick of roles and get the prime parts, rather than it being the other way around.

Truth is, says Calvin, he doesn’t mind at all. Whenever he’s offered a part, he decides (whether to accept it or not) based on factors other than being a first or second choice. “I’m used to that,” he says. “I have no qualms about it. To me, if it’s work, it’s work. I never choose my work.”

And when he does take on a role, whether it’s on or offstage, he throws himself into it 100 percent. With Aladdin — in which he alternates in the role of the genie with Aiza Seguerra (who was the first choice for the part, but couldn’t do all the 16 performances since she’s also busy with her role in Be Careful With My Heart) — in fact, he’s the one who feels at a disadvantage compared to Aiza. “There’s more pressure on me,” he says. “Everyone knows Aiza, and she’s been in the business longer than I have (Aiza recently celebrated her 25th year with a major concert at the Araneta Coliseum). So I feel that I have to work harder to impress people.”

Calvin is more focused on his family. His two children know what he does, that he appears in plays and stage musicals and occasionally does television, but he would never force them to become performers themselves. Daughter Maya, who he describes as a “strong-willed child, who’s brave and capable of handling herself even at her age,” is an animal lover and loves to be around people. Santi loves to draw, is into swimming and wants to be an architect someday, which is fine with his dad. Show business is an option, but it’s not the be-all and end-all for him. “I’ve made them aware of what I do,” says Calvin, “but in the end, what’s important is that they cultivate what they want, not what I want.”

Calvin is very happy at the opportunity to play the role of the Genie in Aladdin and to be sharing it with Aiza, precisely because they’re so different. Each one will bring something different to the role. “It’s the same role, with the same dialogue and songs, but certain nuances are different. Physically, Aiza and I are different, so the way we attack the role will also be different. It will be very exciting to see.”

Aladdin is Calvin’s 11th play. Despite it being so, he is still very excited — in fact, the day of this interview, they were due to rehearse with the orchestra for the first time, and he couldn’t stop talking about it. It is during these rare moments that he stops being an outsider looking in, at least temporarily.

Getting all fired up over a show and feeling the passion keep Calvin tethered to the stage, even with all his other interests. “In the theater, all that counts is putting on a good show,” he says.

And always, you can count on Calvin to do that, and more.