What it takes to make it to showbiz

What does it really take to succeed in entering showbiz?

It not only takes good looks but also talent and the right timing to get into the spotlight. Ask Brian Gazmen and his story will prove how he was able to get to where he is today. 

Unlike others who made it to stardom in an instant, Brian experienced being turned down in his attempt to enter show business. 

But Brian didn’t lose heart. He persevered to realize his dream.

Brian truly loves performing in front of many people. He was nine years old when he started doing theater through Trumpets with the musical Hairspray as his first stage performance and then followed by Les Miserables.

“I love acting ever since I was a kid,” said Brian who is the youngest of three children of Iriga City Mayor Madelaine Alfelor. “That’s why, I went to a lot of auditions and even though I was rejected for so many times, I tried hard to resist the thought of giving up kasi gustong-gusto ko at hindi maalis sa isip ko na gusto kong mag-artista.”

Brian even tried out for the kiddie gag show Goin’ Bulilit but his being overweight got in the way. It was too tough for him to shed some pounds then so nothing fruitful came out of it. But his determination to perform in front of the cameras pushed him to lose 20 pounds. “I again tried my luck. I attended a lot of workshops to gain more knowledge in different kinds of effective acting.”

In the early days of his acting career, Brian openly shared how his classmates teased him — to the point of him feeling he was getting bullied — because they were saying that he’s just an “extra” on screen most of the time. “I must admit that due to so many rejections, the thought of giving up came into my mind.”

However, fate had other plans. The offer to be one of Star Music’s recording artists just came in time and, once again, it motivated Brian to push forward. 

“It was last January when I signed a five-year contract with them (Star Music family) and thankfully, projects also started coming in.” 

His first single, titled Ayoko Nang Makarinig ng Love Song, continues to gain more listeners on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. In September, he is scheduled to release another single, Anghel Sa Ganda, and Brian is hoping that it will also be appealing to music aficionados.

“It’s so amazing that a lot of blessings are coming in because apart from that I also have two movies and a product endorsement.”

Brian is in the cast of Wander Bra topbilled by Kakai Bautista and Myrtle Sarrosa. The fantasy-comedy movie, written and directed by his manager Joven Tan, will open in cinemas on Sept. 12. But before that, Brian is playing one of the lead roles in the youth-oriented movie Petmalu, showing on Sept. 5.

“Petmalu is my first lead role project where I portray a character totally opposite of what I am in real life. In real life, my mom is so supportive of whatever I wish to do as long as it will make me happy and a better person. She’s always there to encourage me.

“My mom doesn’t ask anything from me but to continue my studies,” said Brian who is a freshman student of Ateneo de Manila University taking up Theater Arts. By the way, his mom is the cousin of Ronnie Ricketts.

Anytime next week, Brian’s billboard for Gamboa Sports will greet motorists passing by prominent spots in the metro.

“Thank God, I didn’t give up. Otherwise, I won’t be here right now and enjoy the work that I do. It’s just really a matter of timing. Hindi dapat mainip. We just have to learn to wait and you’ll see it will be all worth the time and effort.”

Those who also dream to be a star should take it from Brian. Don’t lose hope. It’s synonymous to what Hollywood actor Liam Neeson said, “If I get rejected for a part, I pick myself up and say, ‘OK not today, maybe tomorrow, I’ll get this other part or something.’“