Bruce Roeland gains deeper respect for boxers with ‘Kamao’ role

MANILA, Philippines — Bruce Roeland continues to tread the nemesis-meaty-role path in the family-sports-drama series titled “Kamao,” airing weekdays on GMA Afternoon Prime.

He began tackling this kind of role in the drama-action “Mga Batang Riles” as Matos, who stood in the way of Kidlat (played by Miguel Tanfelix).

This time, his character named Lance does the same to Makmak, played by Anton Vinzon, also a fellow “Mga Batang Riles” star.

“Dito naman, ang fi-no-focus lang talaga ng pagiging kontrabida (here, the focus of my villain role) is how I, (as my character), act towards (Makmak of) Anton,” said the Sparkle GMA artist in a brief chat with The STAR, “kasi ang nangyayari is, yung trato sa ‘kin ng papa ko (what happens is, Lance is treated by his dad, Caloy) played by (actor) Tito Wendell (Ramos), very tough, eh. He wants his son to become a world champion someday.”

That’s how Dad Caloy toughens Lance and prepares for the sport. The latter, as an amateur boxer, also hears unpleasant words and gets slaps, added Bruce.

“Ang nangyayari nilalabas ko sa ibang tao (with that, Lance vents all that out to other persons),” shared he. “My character is very misunderstood.”

He was referring to the other characters in the story, who are not privy to Lance’s personal struggles.

“Kung ako lang talaga ang tatanungin (if you’ll ask me), parang hindi kontrabida si Lance dito (he seems not the antagonist here). He’s just very misunderstood, very kawawa,” said he. “Naaawa ako sa kanya (I feel sorry for him).”

Looking back on his kontrabida role in “Mga Batang Riles” and reflecting on the one in “Kamao,” Bruce enjoys taking on it.

Proof of an inspired and convincing performance is when his portrayal elicits emotions such as annoyance and sympathy from the viewers. He also gets the chance to become someone totally different from what he is off-camera.

That’s what he also finds “satisfying” and fulfilling as a young actor.

To look and play the part of a competitive boxer, Bruce had this to say: “Kung mapansin mo, lumiit yung katawan ko kasi ang boxing, hindi pwedeng bulky, eh (if you’ve noticed, my body is smaller or slender as compared to before. In boxing, I can’t be bulky).”

“I used to be bulky. Mahilig akong magbuhat (I was into lifting weights),” added he. “Ang ginawa ko naman dito, sa boxing, (what I did for the show’s boxing part) was more on cardio, more on jump rope, more on training sparring, and para pumantay din yung katawan namin ni Anton sa (so that my and Anton’s bodies would be in the same body shape in the) ring, kasi hindi naman pwedeng mangyari na iba yung katawan namin, eh, kasi sa boxing, may tinatawag na division (our characters have to be in the same body type because they’re fighting in the same boxing weight division). Dapat mukhang same weight. So, that’s what I did. It was really more on cardio.”

As for his career path, Bruce said that he trusts GMA with whatever decision it may have.

Four years ago, he was introduced as part of the Sparkle Sweetheart loveteam and eventually went solo. He agreed with it, as part of learning the ropes of acting and doing showbiz, as one may put it. Bruce feels that it is also “more fulfilling.”

Bruce gets to collaborate with established stars and promising ones like Anton.

“I really like it. I really like this,” said he. “Malay (natin, who knows) in the future, kontrabida ulit (I’ll play villain again). It sounds good.”

Bruce, however, is also open to the possibility of playing bida or lead role soon.

“Whatever GMA plans for me. I’m OK
with that. Basta ako, itutuloy ko lang yung ginagawa ko (for me, I will just continue what I’m doing),” said he. “I’m gonna keep on
doing my best, and I’m really open… be it kontrabida (antagonist) o bida (protagonist),” concluded he.

Please watch Bruce in “Kamao” weekdays at 3:20 p.m. also available on Kapuso Stream and GMA Pinoy TV.