One on one with Ahron Villena

Being relatively new in the entertainment scene, ABS-CBN's "TV Idol" winner Roche Ahron Villena is probably loaded with the more pressure of making it and staying in this business. Then again, he doesn't mind it.

The 18-year-old Batangas City native says he has given up his studies for now-he was a Nursing sophomore at Lyceum of Batangas-to make room for acting. His crazy work schedule and lack of sleep are the least of his concerns. He loves traveling to various points of the country for guestings, even bravely facing the prospect that people would not recognize him or only a paltry number would turn up in his shows. Whatever it takes, he's determined not to be one of those forgotten lookers whose showbiz careers never took off.

I interviewed Ahron recently, a few hours shy away from special visits to the Metro Gaisano chain of stores-Metro Colon, Super Metro Mandaue and Metro Ayala. He was the celebrity guest of Metro Gaisano's "Wish Upon A Car" Christmas Raffle promo's fourth draw in late November.

"I've been here four times already, and on one occasion, nagtagal ako ng two days to relax. Baka nga magsawa na yung mga tawo," Ahron shares, laughing.

Ahron easily warms up to new acquaintances. He describes himself as mischievous and cheerful. "Pero minsan pikon, kasi pag-minsan sineseryoso kung yung mga biro sa akin."

Despite his carefree nature in real life, he's however getting himself into heavy acting roles. After his "Hiram" stint with two of his top showbiz crushes Heart Evangelista and Anne Curtis (another would be Kris Aquino), he is now part of ABS-CBN's upcoming "Gulong ng Palad." "Here I play Japoyka-love triangle nila with Joross and Roxanne. Ibang Ahron ang makikita nila dito, abangan nalang nila."

He adds that though he dreams of snatching other unconventional roles, he's happy to concentrate first on drama. "Time will come for that kind of role. For now, I'd like to focus on drama and hopefully maging ka-caliber nila ni John Lloyd Cruz or Piolo Pascual."

Ahron is also an endorser of Unique bags. Its owner, Mr. Carlos Chiantan, who was with Ahron during his recent trip to Cebu, says that he sees a long-term relationship between the product and the young actor. "We look forward to more of Ahron's progress and success in the entertainment."

If not busy at work, you'll find him at home, catching on lost sleep. Like guys his age, he goes out on gimmicks at KTV bars, but with mostly non-showbiz friends from his hometown. "Wala akong masyadong friends in Manila. Mas okay din na non-showbiz. I'm not generalizing, pero maraming taga-showbiz na plastic."

His closest pals in showbiz would have to be the rest of the TV idols-AJ Dee and JE Sison-disproving thus there's rivalry amongst them, especially with runner up AJ. "I really thought it was AJ who was going to win, so when I did, I was so surprised that I cried." He continues, "But we are really friends. We used to go out together. But lately, we've not been going out as a group, or appearing as one because of our schedules."

He shares he is set on making the most of the opportunities coming his way because he wants to have a better life for himself and family. He is not ashamed of his family background, his father works as a security guard and his mother is an OFW in Japan-the two have been separated as far as he can remember.

In spite of his personal dramas, he remains a cheerful young man, whose one wish nowadays is to stay in showbiz longer than he has ever imagined. "God willing," he adds.

(The author wishes to thank Metro Gaisano chain of stores through marketing supervisor Bong Miagan for this interview.)

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