Lucho Ayala is finally taking the ‘lead’

MANILA, Philippines - “Everything is going great,” describes Lucho Ayala of his budding showbiz career of three years. “I’m happy. Finally, I’ve gotten my first lead.”

Lucho is referring to his latest Kapuso TV project titled Kahit Nasaan Ka Man airing weekdays on GMA Primetime Telebabad Block with Kristoffer Martin and Julie Anne San Jose as the two other lead stars.

Graduating from playing supporting roles, Lucho is finally taking the male lead road, err roles. “There are three lead stars in the soap,” adds Lucho, who has the makings of a leading man. Lucho is the one-third of the love triangle between his character John, Pauline and Leandro (played by Julie Anne and Kristoffer, respectively) in the story. “I’m very thankful to GMA for giving me this opportunity. This is my first time to be paired with someone or to be in a love triangle. I’m actually excited on what’s next for me.”

As all Kapuso Telebabad followers know, Lucho plays the childhood friend of Julie Anne’s character named John. For the many years they’ve been together, John has developed special feelings for Pauline. It’s a struggle for John to make his real intention known to the lady he loves. Adding to this personal conflict is the fact that John has become Leandro’s buddy in spite of their differences in lifestyle and temperament. Leandro and Pauline have a young-love past which needs a young-adult closure. The two have been searching for their innocent, true love.

“Luckily for me, I haven’t experienced it,” replied Lucho when asked if he has experienced an unrequited kind of love. Perhaps, romance is in the sideline for Lucho as he is busy juggling showbiz and school.

“I’m in my fourth year and graduating next year,” says the Speech Communication student at the University of the Philippines Diliman. “I just have to (write and) finish my thesis.” When he entered show business in 2010, Lucho was a Theater Arts freshman, being challenged to meet the demands of doing creative and production assignments. Since the academic requirements are also physically taxing, Lucho decided to shift to Speech Comm., which is also under the same department of College of Arts and Letters. “It was due to schedule and because of (my) taping (commitments),” he recalls. At that time, his studies seemed to stand in the way of acting, and vice versa. But Lucho had learned the ropes of time management in no time.

“I’m a full-time student,” he says. “I try to squeeze all my subjects in two days. So I’ll have a window for work.” Last semester, Lucho attended lectures Wednesdays and Fridays and taped for his Binoy Henyo sequences Tuesdays and Thursdays. Binoy Henyo was his last acting assignment prior to Kahit Nasaan Ka Man.

What’s next for Lucho after college?

“I will continue doing showbiz,” he answers. “I want to be a director. I also intend to venture into business. I would like to direct music videos and hopefully, I will get to do my (first) music video and do several videos with local artists. As an actor, I’m the one being seen on the screen… (I think) it’s also satisfying if I see my work as whole like (what directors do and feel) and the collaborative efforts of the whole team. I want to see and appreciate the whole scenario and picture from acting to design.”

The Kapuso actor wants to test his versatility by essaying bida, kontrabida and bida-kontrabida roles and getting lost in them. Given his mestizo mien, Lucho also wishes to break away from stereotypes.

“Most of my characters are rich (and pedigreed),” he says. “I should try to play a poor character who is being ill-treated.” That’s why he is enthusiastic to fully join the independent film movement. Lucho did a support role in Agawan Base.

“I will have indie projects after the show,” says Lucho. “And I’m looking forward to it.”

Showbiz watchers can’t wait to be surprised of other roles Lucho can portray.