Kaloy Tingcungco feels lucky to share the screen with established actors  

To hold one’s own in the presence of veteran actors is a welcome challenge to newbies like Kaloy Tingcungco. The Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent had such privilege in shows like Start-Up PH when he was tapped to play the character Spencer Diaz.

Acting opportunities like that simply strengthen a thespian’s understanding of the craft, especially if one is still in the learning-the-ropes phase.

“I feel I’m beyond blessed and I am really honored to have gotten the chance to work with them. Within a span of over a year with GMA, I already got to work with Bea (Alonzo), Alden (Richards), Gabby (Eigenmann) and Gina Alajar,” said Kaloy of his stint in the GMA adaptation of the hit South Korean series, in an interview with The STAR via Zoom. “Kasi I mean I am a nobody, tapos makakasama ko bigla sila sa isang show (and all of a sudden, I would be with them in a show) and I’d be doing scenes with them, not just normal scenes, but actually big scenes of the show. The line I always tell people is, ‘Who would have thought that I would (be in this situation) at this point in my life?’”

Prior to this, Kaloy had flexed his acting muscle in Little Princess and Daddy’s Gurl: Menloloko on TV and in Boys Lockdown and Meet Me Outside in web and digital platforms.For actors, wrapping up each acting assignment means gaining new lessons and insights about their chosen profession. With Start-Up PH, Kaloy shared his takeaways: “One, you cannot feel inferior whenever you’re around them (the established actors). As an actor, you should know your ground. You should know that you stay professional whenever needed. You stay true to your craft. By that, I mean, hindi ka dapat manliliit kapag ka-eksena mo sila (You should not feel inferior when you’re doing a scene with them)… If you get intimidated or feel small, you won’t be able to deliver.”

Although working with veterans boosts one’s confidence, one should not let it go to one’s head. His role has helped Kaloy to have a better grasp about preparing for the scenes and channeling the character.

As for a particular genre he would like to foray into in the future, Kaloy said, “I’m a big fan of rom-com and chick flicks. That’s the genre I would watch.” Given his antagonist role in Start-Up PH, Kaloy seems to see himself experiencing and exploring more of it. “Siguro (Perhaps) I would be ready to take (on) a bigger antagonist role. I’ve watched myself in (some) Start-Up PH episodes with those kinds of emotions, I think I could definitely do better and take a bit of bigger scene.”

Before acting beckoned, Kaloy shared, “I didn’t really plan to enter show business because I had a life outside show business. I was a corporate employee. I have been into organizations.” And then the pandemic happened and challenged everyone to consider other doors of opportunity. Kaloy gave acting a try and eventually loved the idea of essaying roles.

He said, “As time goes by and I (have) started to receive a couple of projects… I’ve realized there’s a bigger purpose (in acting).” And that is to entertain viewers — and inspire them through the roles he plays on the screen.

“I’m just trying to make people happy with whatever skills I have and (to) inspire whoever will be inspired through the characters I play,” said he. “I’m sure there will be people who can relate to the characters that we’re portraying.”

Aside from acting in TV series and movies, Kaloy has the gift of the gab. He is one of Unang Hirit’s Funliners and Millennial-Gen Z hosts.

“I’m also trying to explore this career path,” said he, who is attending hosting workshops and did a couple of auditions for an upcoming series.

As for the game plan regarding his promising showbiz career, the acting neophyte said, “I’m not really the type of person who expects a lot. No expectations set, none at all, para lang ‘di ma-disappoint (So, I won’t get disappointed at the end). Whenever people ask me how I got into show business and how long do I see myself in the industry, I would tell them, ‘I’m just gonna make the most out of it and take whatever is coming my way. Just do my best, whatever it is in front of me.’”

Whatever project is thrown his way, Kaloy will embrace it and “just enjoy every bit of it.”