Will Ian get what he wants?

Ian de Leon was a promising actor in the mid-’90s successfully paired with Donna Cruz in films like Pangako ng Kahapon, Muling Umawit Ang Puso, Habang May Buhay and Dahil May Isang Ikaw. But fans knew their love team was only on screen because he was then madly in love with model Issa Vicente, who he eventually married in a civil wedding. When Donna herself got married, her career faded away. Now, at 27, Ian is making a comeback in The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files as one of the kidnappers-rapists of Ara Mina, who plays the title role.

"When I got a call from my manager, Tita Angge, I asked them to send me the script," he says. "I was told I’d play the role of Mandy. As I was reading the script, I got very excited because the role of Mandy is something I’ve long been wanting to do. He is the most silent among the kidnappers, pero nasa loob ang kulo. When he snaps, he gets really mad, he flips and becomes very violent. I said yes right away and I am glad Direk Carlo Caparas gave me the freedom to interpret the role the way I see it best."

Carlo says he was surprised by Ian’s persuasive performance as the half-crazed kidnapper. "He’s a very intense actor, just like his dad," adds Carlo. "I won’t be surprised if he’d get an acting nomination for his performance in The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files.

Ian’s last film was a movie with Mikey Arroyo more than two years ago. "I just played a supporting role there," he says. "But I really missed acting. It’s something I really loved to do. I knew even then that when my love team with Donna ended, my career would surely suffer. But I don’t regret being paired with Donna. We became really close friends who confided our problems to each other. I am happy for her that she is now a contented wife and mother living a very peaceful life in Cebu. It’s nice nga that now I’m making a comeback, I’m working with another Donna, our producer, si Donna Villa."

What did he do while he was away from the limelight? "I was into the buying and selling of used cars, because I really love cars. Also, I went to computer school and took up web publishing and Internet multi-media services at the Informatix School in Alabang. But all the while, I’m praying I’d one day be given the chance to act again."

Is it his first time to play a villain role in The Cory Quirino Kidnap? "No. I did a telemovie on GMA, directed by my dad himself, Bugso, where I played a disfigured killer who tortured the blind Vilma Santos. I really enjoy playing character roles now because, after doing nothing but matinee idol types then, I want to explore other acting possibilities at this point to broaden my range."

Being the son of multi-awarded actors like Christopher de Leon and Nora Aunor definitely helped him gain fame initially. But does it also have any disadvantage?

"Of course. Even as a child, I’d say that I didn’t have a normal life because I’m already familiar to the fans nina Guy and Boyet. Growing up, I’d love to go by myself to the malls and even then, I don’t have any privacy anymore because a lot of people recognize me. When I got into acting, siempre, it cannot be helped that I’d be compared with my parents and I must say that both of them are tough acts to follow since pareho na silang hindi mabilang ang awards."

He now lives in a house inside the compound of his dad’s home in BF Homes Parañaque. "I grew up with my mom and I’ve long missed the company of my dad, so now, I’m sort of making up for lost time now that I live with him. And I’m really so happy being with him, Tita Sandy, and my brothers and sisters there who call me kuya. Maganda ang bonding naming lahat."

What about his foster brothers, Kenneth and Kiko? "They live with Ate Lotlot and we’re sending them to school at Benedictine. I’m glad because they both have high grades. Matet lives on her own."

He’s also happy his mom is active again with the soap opera, Bituin. He believes he has matured a lot and he has even learned to forgive his mom’s friend, John Rendez, with whom he was in conflict before. "I’ve moved on. I don’t want to dwell on the past. We all have to go on with our respective lives."

What if he’d see John now? Wala. Deadma lang.

Ian admits he and Issa have separated. "But we remain good friends. She now goes back and forth to the States. We’ve talked about the possibility of having our civil wedding annulled.

Among the movies he did in the past, which are his favorites? "I still love the most the movies I did as a child actor, the Komiks’ episode in Halimaw where I was directed by my dad, and Takot Ako Eh which I did with Ate Lot and Matet, directed by Mario O’Hara. Sa movies ko with Donna, I like Muling Umawit which we did with my mom and Pangako ng Kahapon which was filmed in Bicol."

Which among the movies of his mom and dad are his favorites? "With them together, I like Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos. With my mom, I think she was at her best in Himala. With my dad, my favorite is his first film, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, and the one where he played a dying cancer patient, God, Save Me, incidentally directed by Carlo Caparas who is now my director in The Cory Quirino Kidnap: NBI Files.

Ian’s dream now is to be part of a daily telenovela, just like his mom who is in Bituin and his dad who is in Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw. "I hope I’ll be given the chance to do a daily drama serial, too. I’m really itching to do drama again.."