Vin makes a daring move

MANILA, Philippines - Baring his toned upper body and six-pack abs as Charlie in the new TV5 sexy drama Misibis Bay sends the signal loud and clear that Vin Abrenica is all ready to plunge into sexy roles. For Vin, playing sexy is part of his being an actor. He doesn’t see it as the end to doing wholesome projects in the future.

“I do not see it as a limiting factor but more of discovering my potential as an actor,” says Vin. “Like my kuya (Aljur), he plays sexy but he can always go back to boy-next-door-type of roles without people thinking that he is no longer fit to do them. So I hope it’s not impossible that I can also do wholesome roles again.”

He, too, believes that actors need not only possess good looks and talent. Having a good physique is also a must. “It’s a plus if you are fit that’s why I do some workouts for me to be ready when the role requires me to bare my body at eto na ‘yun sa Misibis so let’s see what’s going to happen.”

It was only last year when Vin joined showbiz as the grand winner of Kapatid Network’s artista search Artista Academy. Doesn’t he think it’s too early to go sexy? Vin admits he himself is surprised to find out that his next project has him suddenly swinging to a more mature side as compared to his previous outing with Sophie Albert in Never Say Goodbye. But like a soldier ready for a battle at any given time, Vin takes on the role without hesitation. It was his mom, however, who needed an assurance that her son is ready to go out of his comfort zone.

“My mom kept on asking if I’m ready but for me as long as I know my limitations, I’m up for the challenge,” shares Vin. “But the most that I can do is topless lang talaga.”

The thought of walking in skimpy briefs sends Vin squirming in anxiety. Well, how about in that scene where he is wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist? He flashes a naughty smile in response as if telling you to figure out how he was convinced to do the scene.

“I have some limitations but I’m not saying naman na, ‘Uy, ito ang mga limitations ko.’ If there’s something I feel I’m not comfortable with, I tell them, ‘Can we change this?’ I suggest lang din naman.”

So far, Vin has no reason to come to the set with a heavy heart. He is happy that his character gets a fair share of the acting spotlight. Still, Vin has no idea how romantic are his scenes with the female lead Ritz Azul who will also get involved with him in the story.

Does Aljur support him in his most daring role?

“Si kuya, s’ya yung nag-a-assess if I’m fit to show my body. Of course, he doesn’t want me to look awful on screen; ayaw n’ya ako mapahiya kaya I trust him when he says, ‘Okay na, go na.’ We do workouts together, sinasabayan ko s’ya.”

What is tough for Vin is the “dieting” part. “It’s hard for me to eat chicken at kamote lang, ang hirap ng walang lasa but I make sure to eat less carbs. During workouts, I still do the basic training then sumasabay ako kay kuya during his abs workout. In fact, kuya is my personal trainer.”

Aside from his efforts to get a good physique, Vin takes his acting seriously. He makes it a point to deliver in scene after scene more so now that the series requires him to act alongside veterans like Vivian Velez and Christopher de Leon. “I always make sure to do my best. TV5 has given me the chance to show my acting ability since I won in the Artista Academy, ayokong sayangin yun.”

No wonder, Vivian has nothing but praises for Vin during the presscon. “Malalim ang batang ito. May mararating,” she exclaims.

In the mini-drama series, Vivian plays the scheming sister of Christopher and aunt of Vin, Daniel Matsunaga and Victor Silayan. It will air for six weeks starting July 1 at 8 p.m. Most of the scenes were shot in the luxury island resort Misibis Bay in Cagraray Island in Albay. Monti Parungao directs.

And how does Vin see himself as an actor now?

“I see myself giving it my best shot every time na masasalang ako. Compared to my kuya, I’m still in the process of learning. He and my dad are my mentors. Of course, people know that kuya entered in this business ahead of me so mas may experience na s’ya so ako naman I always give my best in every project that is given to me.”

Aside from acting, Vin never lets a free day pass without him visiting their family-owned restaurant in Batangas. There, he gets to practice his culinary training. Vin finished Culinary Arts at Global Academy.