Ryan Bang wants to live forever in Phl with his ‘forever Filipina’

It has already been 13 years since Ryan Bang entered showbiz as a housemate of Kuya in the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010, where he finished as first runner-up. Time flies really fast. Ryan is now one of the most in-demand comedians. He is one of the few South Koreans who have made a name for themselves in the Philippine entertainment industry. Ryan was just a teenager when he started his career. He is now 32 years old and ready to settle down if he finds his “forever Filipina.”

It was nice seeing him and Jhong Hilario again after quite some time. Ryan brought the entire house down with his hilarious remarks when he recently guested with Jhong on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, where he talked about his love life and relationship with fellow It’s Showtime hosts.

He had his car washed before going to GMA because he learned that previous guest stars like Anne Curtis were filmed while getting down from their cars. He was surprised to see that no one was waiting for his arrival when he entered the compound.

It’s Showtime will be celebrating its 14th year in October. Throughout the years, the noontime show hosts have built strong familial ties with one another. Ryan always asks for their advice when it comes to life and love. He sometimes borrows money from Vice Ganda when in need, he said.

Ryan recalled an instance when he got mildly upset at Jhong during a show in Edmonton, Canada. Ryan was only wearing an underwear inside the hotel room he was sharing with Jhong, who suddenly pulled a prank on the comedian. He was told to open the door because someone was knocking. “Binuksan ko. Tinulak niya ako tapos sinara niya iyong pinto. Ang daming taong dumadaan. Nakakahiya, di ba? Ang daming dumadaan na mga foreigners. Akala nila naka-brief lang ako sa hallway. Kaya ako nagtampo kay Kuya Jhong,” Ryan explained. But everything ended well between the two after that incident.

Ryan’s love for the Philippines is admirable. He may be a Korean by blood but truly a Filipino by heart. He has decided to stay forever in the country. “Dito ako lumaki. Dito ako mamamatay. Habang buhay ako dito kasi mahal na mahal ko ang Pilipinas.” He prays every night and asks the Lord to make him an instrument, so many Filipinos can get wealthy. It will be his way of giving back all the love he receives from Filipinos.

Ryan once helped a South Korean street vendor, who is here in the Philippines selling ramyeon. The old man has no means to fly back home. Ryan gave him a plane ticket to return to their country but the comedian was surprised to find out that the old man has not yet left the Philippines.

“Ang buhay ay choice. Choice niya iyon. Binigyan ko ng chance. Hindi ko ipipilit iyong dapat niyang gawin. I’ll give all the chances but it was his choice,” he said.

The comedian also gave a glimpse of how Koreans are living in the Philippines. He said Koreans go to church and talk to the pastors if they have problems. They go to the Korean Embassy if there are gatherings that Ryan cannot always attend because the events often coincide with his work schedule in It’s Showtime.

Ryan was in the hot seat when it was time to talk about his love life. There is a perception that comedians are appealing to girls which Ryan thought otherwise based on his personal experience. It is not a secret that he once courted Yeng Constantino. People inside the studio broke into laughter at his reply when I asked him if there were actresses who turned him down. He answered, “Ay dami sila! Magsisi kayo. Ang dami ninyo. Dapat gawa kayo ng group chat.”

He is currently courting a non-showbiz girl who he sees might be the one for him. “Noong first time ko siyang nakita parang may spotlight.” Ryan described the difference between having a Korean and a Filipina girlfriend. “Ang Pinay mas selosa, pero mas maalaga.”

At his age, Ryan is already thinking of getting married when he finds the right woman for him. I once advised him to save money while he was young which he did. “Kaya nakaipon na ako, Tito Boy. I want to live my life forever here in the Philippines with my forever Filipina.”

The girl has not yet personally met the parents of Ryan but they were already introduced to one another on FaceTime. Ryan’s comic skills must have come from his parents who had sidesplitting advice to their son: “Bilisan mo na bago siya magising. Bago siya mauntog. Bilisan mo na, anak.”