Dion Ignacio is ‘adjustable’

MANILA, Philippines - Dion Ignacio is one reliable Kapuso drama actor, who can be the lead in one project, second lead in the next and then back to lead. It’s not surprising that he has done a myriad of characters on TV. From being the good guy gone “mad” named Orlando in Maghihintay Pa Rin, Dion is now the loving young man Dencio in the soon-to-premiere Innamorata, which also stars Luis Alandy, Max Collins and Gwen Zamora.

“I’ll be playing the best friend of Max’s character (Esperanza),” Dion said. “We’re childhood friends. He has feelings for her and he keeps it secretly. I’m her protector.”

The GMA Artist Center talent will love unconditionally in the latest afternoon drama. As cliché as it may sound, Dion’s Dencio will play the Knight in Shining Armor of Esperanza who has porphyria, a hereditary condition that makes the skin itchy and swell with blisters. Thus, Innamorata chronicles love that is skin-deep. “It is a mystifying story,” Dion said. The storyline also touches on love that goes beyond time. Unlike today’s heavy-laced afternoon melodramas, the latest GMA offering will veer away from that genre a bit. Fantasy, mystery and drama will find a middle ground in Innamorata.

Dion clarified that his Maghihintay Pa Rin character’s change of personality was unplanned. Remember, Ayen Munji-Laurel’s delicate condition at that time whose kontrabida character had to make an early exit from the soap. So, Dion’s Orlando was assigned to take the “antagonist” chores from Ayen’s role.

“I would love to do it,” Dion said of playing another bida-kontrabida character. “I think it was similar to what I did in Maghihintay Pa Rin. It’s challenging and fulfilling. I was surprised that I could get mad that intensely.” For Dencio, Dion shared that “I have to make my voice a bit lower to make (my character sound) mature.” In a TV interview, he said that music helps him in accessing his character’s vulnerability. This is true since sounds appeal to the emotions, while visuals to the intellect. Thinking of how people ignore a crumpled paper is a simple, effective approach Dion uses in drama, which seems to be his comfort zone since “mababa ang luha ko (I can cry easily).” 

Away from the klieg lights, Dion is a musician-singer. He has a metal band named Philia and an acoustic band, Road Boys. And what brings Dion to live performing is his musical interest. “I love music. I started from playing the guitar,” he added. “I’m the rhythm guitarist for the metal band. I’m (also) with Road Boys where Dex Quindoza (another StarStruck graduate) is the vocalist. Dex asked me to join the group after doing Maghihintay Pa Rin. I had sessions with them, playing the guitar and sometimes singing.”

Like all upcoming musical acts, Dion’s band does cover songs that bar habitués and music enthusiasts can sink their teeth into. “We perform at Rehab Gastro Bar in Mandaluyong. It’s a practice gig,” he said. “It’s an enjoyable (experience) because you like what you do. To me, it’s a stress-reliever. Music gets out the tension (in my life) and it relieves me from stress.”

Is Dion also a passionate musician?

“I am, whenever I sing or perform because there’s emotion and there’s a story (in the song),” Dion answered. “If one set is composed of seven songs, I’ll be doing two.”

As for his musical influences, Dion cites alternative bands like 6cyclemind, Snow Patrol and Chasing Cars. Dex, on the other hand, likes Boyce Avenue. “(Doing gigs) helps when I need to sing in a TV guesting or a regional-provincial show. May pondo ka. I have back-up (songs) from the ones I usually perform.”

Meantime, Innamorata will be Dion’s priority. And performing live will take a backseat. But it won’t take away the musician in him. Those who are close to him know this.

(Premiering on Feb. 17, Innamorata also stars Pinky Amador, Michael de Mesa, Rita Avila, Juan Rodrigo, Jackie Rice and Leandro Baldemor.)