Matt counts his blessings

His life story is the stuff soap operas are made. American father leaves his son when the government’s new policy on the US bases forces him to return to America. The boy grows up with his Filipina mom who raises him to be upright, respectful – even towards a father he has not seen for years.

But Matt Evans is not one to cry over his fatherless life. In fact, he is turning what could be a tearjerker of a life into a feel-good story – light, breezy, full of happy twists and turns.

Sure, Matt was devastated when he and his friends at the Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition couldn’t reach his dad, even if their fingers got tired calling him long distance through the phone at Big Brother’s house. Only a cold voice in an answering machine picked up their persistent calls. No Mr. Evans called ABS-CBN to renew ties with his 22-year-old son.

But now, Matt takes the situation with a grain of salt. His mom has prepared him to take things calmly. So, instead of sulking in one corner, Matt has learned to move on. He has learned to cope with that part of him that longs for a father.

Matt has not given up hope, though. He still looks fondly at a photo of his dad and mom together way back during the good old days.

Rather than pine for something he can’t count on, Matt looks at the bright side of things.

The best part is getting a break any showbiz newcomer like him will die for: the title role in ABS-CBN’s newest mini-series, Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko.

Matt couldn’t believe his ears when the series’ Business Unit head, Deo Endrinal, offered him the meaty role.

Matt’s initial reaction was to sit on pins and needles. After all, lovers of local cinema have known and loved Pedro Penduko from way back. He first graced the big screen in 1973 with Celso Ad. Castillo as director and Ramon Zamora as star. Then, Viva revived the character in 2000, this time with Janno Gibbs as lead.

Pedro Penduko’s fame is not confined on screen. Komiks lovers followed his adventures since the time dean of Philippine illustrators Francisco V. Coching brought him to life in 1954.

Sharing the scene with award-winning actors like Gloria Romero and Albert Martinez is another pressure point.

Figures why Matt felt like Atlas – carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, at first.

So he decided to act. Matt took an acting workshop and threw himself in muay thai and wushu lessons. His half-fairy, half-human character must muster all the martial arts skills to fight forces of evil trying to keep him from rescuing his father.

Pedro Penduko is not all fierceness and fire, though. He has a mellow side. And this, he is not afraid to show in his scenes with fellow PBB housemates Olyn and Niña.

Matt knows Pedro Penduko can make or break him. But as with all challenges, the Fil-Am with the self-effacing mien is willing to take his chances.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. For all we know, Matt may end up outdoing himself.