Comedy is Ryan’s cup of tea

Showbiz is a family affair more than a business. Proof of this is the Yllana family – Anjo and Jomari. The latest showbiz recruit from the Yllana family is Ryan of QTV 11’s Takeshi’s Castle, which airs Mondays to Fridays at 8 p.m.

It’s not surprising why Ryan has taken the same path his brothers have successfully treaded.

Last year, Ryan officially joined the intriguing yet engaging world of show business. With his entry, the Yllanas could be the local counterpart of the Baldwins – Alec, Daniel, William and Stephen – of Hollywood.

Asked when the showbiz bug bit him, Ryan replied, "at 13." He would see older brother Anjo on the small screen playing matinee idol in sappy, saccharine love teams. Ryan also saw Anjo’s early solo outings as a comedian like Tikboy of Abangan Ang Susunod na Kabanata.

Like any other teeners out there, Ryan then was delighted to see his brother in the limelight enjoying showbiz fame and fortune – and wished to be part of it. His interest made him "woo" Anjo so to speak to allow him enter the biz. The good brother that he is, Anjo granted Ryan’s wish by casting him on GMA 7’s MU which topbilled brother Jomari and Gelli de Belen. Anjo directed the show.

His first taste of showbiz, however, was rudely interrupted by a noble cause, Ryan had to finish school, because Kuya Anjo wanted him (Ryan) to.

Thus, Ryan stayed away from the klieg lights too soon and contented himself doing commercials. As soon as he tucked a degree under his belt, Ryan was off to movielandia.

He appeared first on Sugo and projects like Mahiwagang Baul and Laugh to Laugh came in. He is also part of Captain Barbell where he plays the sidekick-friend of Richard Gutierrez.

Comedy is clearly Ryan’s forte.

"Comedy is difficult," says Ryan of the business of making people laugh. "It should be natural and there must be timing. As a comedian, my assets are facial expression and timing. I got my comedy from commercials that are facial expression-based."

Ryan adds that comedy should be simple and the actor must ad-lib within the story. It also requires a lot of listening to get into the conversation. Personal input or collaboration with other artists and/or creative people is a must, he elaborates.

"The look of the character should be really rib-tickling," Ryan stresses out.

His comic talent, says Ryan, is also a fusion of keen observation and local sources of inspiration like Michael V., Anjo and Joey de Leon.

"I admire Tito Joey because his comedy is witty. It has double meaning but is never offending," says Ryan. "My brother is good in timing. And when he thinks of a funny idea and delivers it, it does work for the script. Michael V is one tough act to follow when it comes to impersonation and he can do stand-up comedy."

If there’s one thing that keeps Ryan smiling these days, it’s the show Takeshi’s Castle where he plays Takehome, the sumo wrestler cum chief security of the palace of Shintaro Gokoyami played by the Joey de Leon.

"It’s my dream to work with Tito Joey," says Ryan. "I dreamed na makasabay sa comedy niya. This is also extra special to me since Anjo did the show for IBC 13. I’m happy that somehow I’m following in my brother’s footsteps. It’s a challenge too because Anjo and Smokey Manaloto set high standards for Takeshi."

Off and on cam, Ryan is a smiling person, as he puts it. That’s why a lot of ladies fall for him.

"Comedians are always happy and jolly," Ryan reasons out why many think they are fast with girls. "Napapalapit yung loob ng babae. We are like stress reliever."

But the way things are going in his career, Ryan is content with projects he has been getting. They are manna from heaven.

Does he wish to try his hand in drama?

"Why not?," offers Ryan. "I did it once on Mahiwagang Baul’s Tatlong Musikero where I played a hunchback being ostracized by supposed to be ‘normal’ people. Na-una lang kasi ang comedy. But I want to stay in the biz for as long as people wish me to stay."