Pancho aims to do more

MANILA, Philippines - With the conclusion of Ang Lihim Ni Annasandra a few weeks back, Pancho Magno is waiting for another acting project to land on his lap. It wouldn’t matter, Pancho said, if his next TV assignment is another drama series that will once again require him to do a grand display of emotion. He believes that the fantasy drama Annasandra had contributed greatly to his growth as an actor.

“Before, I admit that even my relatives were complaining about my acting. They told me na kulang pa,” Pancho told The STAR during last Tuesday’s “dinner date treat” for select members of the press arranged by the GMA Artist Center team at the Loreland Farm Resort in Antipolo City. “But now that I’ve been getting positive feedback, I can say that I have already improved. The trainings were significant for me. The show’s staff, the acting coach and the director truly helped me, too.”

There were also a number of intense drama scenes in Annasandra where Pancho delivered his role impressively. His pair of expressive eyes indubitably led televiewers to sit up and notice a clear display of his character’s agony and sorrow. “Unlike before, I can now properly internalize for my role; may hugot na, as they say. Acting is really a never-ending learning experience. Those acting workshops held mostly at GMA are beneficial to us not only in honing our talent but also in developing a bond among actors.”

With other Kapuso hunks (from left) Mike Tan, Ervic Vijandre, Jeric Gonzales and Benjamin Alves for a ‘dinner date treat’ for select members of the press arranged by GMA Artist Center team at the Loreland Farm Resort

Still, Pancho knows he has no reason to be complacent. He often reminds himself to do his best in every project he is tasked to do in order to stay long in the limelight “because not everyone gets this kind of opportunity and I know that there are many people who wanted to be in my position so I have to give my all.”

But between offbeat and matinee roles, Pancho deems himself fit in the former “because I find more freedom in experimenting with my looks. Besides, I don’t think I am effective in pa-sweet roles.”

What the Kapuso talent looks forward to doing onscreen one day is to portray a role in an action genre. Why not? His rugged good looks, towering height and muscular physique are the qualities fitting for an action star.

He, too, aims to work behind the cameras in the future. His undying love for Martin Scorsese films fuelled his desire to try his hand at directing.

 “Perhaps, my interest in directing started when I was young, marami na rin kasi akong kakilalang direktor noon and I’m fond of watching movies especially Scorsese films. That’s why whenever I feel bored in my tent during tapings, I always find myself going to the OB van to see how they work especially the director who, in a snap of a finger, has that brilliant idea to make every scene worth-watching.”

Also included in his wish list is to come up with an original fantasy story. “I’m trying to write a story that I can pitch to my mom (GMA exec Redgie Acuña-Magno). If you notice most TV shows nowadays tackle relationships like mga extra-marital affairs (citing My Husband’s Lover and Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real as examples), I’ve no problem with that because they serve as eye-opener din naman but I think there has to be a show that the children or the whole family can enjoy. Actually, dalawa kami ng brother ko si Iwa na nakaisip na magsulat. He’s into advertising pero he also loves watching movies. Hopefully, this month we can start writing about it.”

Asked how does he see himself in five years’ time, Pancho replied, “Looking after my own business perhaps, managing my own restaurant since I love everything about food. May pamilya na din siguro ako by that time so I also hope that I have invested enough for my children.”

Talking about love life, Pancho insisted that he is loveless. But with much prodding, Pancho heartily laughed while telling, “Wala pa talaga.” Oh well, let’s just wait and see. Photos by Bot Glorioso