Emerging artist Los Akiyama hopes to find ‘place in showbiz’

Instead of pursuing a corporate career after he graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University, newbie artist Los Akiyama (real name Aiskhylos) has opted to forge a path in show business as an actor and a recording artist.

“I turned my life around to pursue this career right after (graduation). Hindi muna ako nag-try ng corporate like you would expect from many of my peers who graduated from the same (course) ‘cause this is what I wanted to do. What I find joy and hopefully, there’s a place for me (in showbiz),” he told select press in a group interview.

Los comes from a family of doctors. Three of his siblings are in the medical field. His father is Japanese and his mother is Filipina.

He told this paper that his mom is very supportive of his chosen career. “There’s no resistance from my family. My mom was actually the first one who shared (about me) on Facebook. I was surprised. My mom even reached out to my elementary and high school classmates, her batchmates from the ‘80s. She sent links to them. They are very supportive.”

Los’ passion for acting and music began when he was young. During his elementary days, he would join oration and declamation competitions. He was also part of a Glee Club in high school and continued to dabble in theater and acting in college.

His performance in Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival 2024 short film, “Kung Nag-aatubli,” earned him the Best Supporting Actor award. Just recently, he debuted as a solo P-pop act with the release of his single Buti Na Lang.

He considers Leonardo DiCaprio, Piolo Pascual and John Lloyd Cruz as his acting influences. Barbie Forteza and Kathryn Bernardo are his celebrity crushes. His musical influences, on the other hand, include John Legend, Michael Bublé, Eminem and Gloc-9. He was heavily influenced by rap and R&B artists as a young kid.

Coming into the music scene as a solo P-pop act is definitely a new experience to him. “It was a first for me to have a recording. When it comes to insecurities, nakakabagong experience pala yung mag-record na maririnig mo yung sarili mo… but it’s a really great experience like, ‘So, this is how you make (a song).’ It’s a different craft, something new to me at least. And that’s what I want to chase in life — a new experience,” mused Los.

Buti Na Lang was penned by Jayson Dedal and arranged by Brian Lotho. It was produced by Insight 360 Music, the record label arm of filmmaker Chris Cahilig. The track talks about deciding to open a door and seeing a brighter chance at love.

Los was more involved in the music video which was directed by Dizelle. But he hoped to write a personal composition for his next single.

“I hope to find that (musical) branding or style that resonates with most people and with myself as well,” he declared, adding that he wants to actively pursue both acting and music without “diminishing” the other.

Asked if he is happy with the career choice that he has made, Los asserted, “Definitely, ‘cause I’m happy where I am. That’s what’s important to me. Kaya nga binaliktad ko siya buong buhay ko after I graduated because I want to pursue what would make me happy and I’m happy right now. And that’s what matters.”