Rafael doesn't mind getting hurt

MANILA, Philippines – Rafael Rosell and Midnight Phantom director Cathy Garcia-Molina’s relationship is marked by surprises. On Day One of taping for the ABS-CBN series, the director had low expectations of her lead star. She knew Rafael told the associate producer he will not join everybody else for the early breakfast call on the set.

So when Rafael showed up at 7 a.m, or one hour after call time, the lady director was not jumping up and down for joy.

Direk Cathy didn’t notice that he already had make-up on and was all ready to face the cameras. So when she asked him to put on make-up and fix his hair, the director didn’t expect Rafael’s quick reply: “Ready na po, direk!”

She looked, and true enough, all Rafael need do was wear his costume.

Direk Cathy approached him and apologized.

“You’re a wonderful person,” she told him. “I respect you.’

Rafael told her she didn’t have to say sorry.

“All of us have an opinion of others,” he explains.

Besides, he assumed his director didn’t realize he lived just near the location shoot and can easily come over. She also didn’t expect him to be professional enough to report to the set all dressed up and ready for Take One.

“Rafael has proven himself to me as an actor. I believe in his capability,” she informed everyone at the presscon of the series, which premieres today at 5:25 p.m.

Did we notice a tear about to fall?

Proving doubting Thomases wrong is not new to Rafael. People didn’t expect there was more to his hunk image until he won Urian Best Supporting Actor (for Rome and Juliet) in 2007.

Rafael himself didn’t expect people will look at him as a serious actor who can play a drug pusher in Tulak and disturbed, lovestruck DJ Brandon in Midnight Phantom.

But there’s more to Rafael than rippling muscles and flat abs. He’s been badly hurt where it matters most: the heart.

The non-showbiz girl was the apple of his eyes until something happened that tore him to pieces. That was one-and-a-half years ago. Rafael has moved on, opting to forgive and forget rather than cry over spilled milk. He even feels grateful for the experience.

“I won’t be who I am not if it didn’t happen. It really had to happen for me to realize things and find myself,” he explains.

Now, he knows what fellow artists mean when they liken pain to a catalyst that transforms them into better performers.

“Ngayon, mas may bala na ako,” Rafael crows.

He credits his parents for teaching him not to lose heart and see the silver lining behind every cloud instead.

“My parents raised me to trained me to turn something negative to something positive,” Rafael reveals. “They taught me how to learn lessons from it all the time. And they told me not to let anything bring me down.”

So a network wants to build him up as a matinee idol? Then learn how to work around the situation, Rafael says.

A girl dumps him? Fine. Rafael can play the jilted guy a lot better the next time around. He’s thankful Midnight Phantom is one such character. He loved deeply, but not wisely. And so, he’s bent on sweet revenge.

“My character is very dark,” Rafael relates. “His angst goes deep, deep inside. And he kept it for 10 long years.”

The challenge is shifting from the jolly Rafael who comes to the set refreshed after a good night’s sleep and a shower to the bitter, brooding Midnight Phantom.

“That’s why I’m happy Direk knows how to take me out of my character,” he states.

Rafael also credits leading lady Denise Laurel for making it easy for him to do their scenes together, especially the intimate ones. Her character Nadja falls in love with

Midnight Phantom and they hie off to a secluded island for a chaotic week-long vacation.

The chemistry is real because Rafael and Denise get along well.

“We hang out. We text each other. It’s but natural for us to bond and understand each other deeply,” Rafael declares.

But another girl, a half-Japanese, half-Filipina jetsetter, who has caught Rafael’s fancy as well. They have been dating since 2005. And Rafael minces no words in praising her.

“She’s like a best friend who understands my job and my situation,” he offers. But

Rafael insists they’re just friends since she’s in and out of the country.

“She’s returning to Macau,” he reveals. “I don’t want to put a label on our relationship. It’s hard to maintain a long-distance relationship.”

Besides, Rafael is in no hurry to fall in love again.

“I don’t know if I can handle the responsibilities of a relationship,” he admits.

So he spends his free time with his Bud Brothers friends instead.

Is he fancy free because his last relationship went down the drain?

“No, I didn’t get burned the last time,” Rafael replies. “I just want to remain uncommitted for now.”

Let him enjoy his single, carefree days. If it brings a sparkle to Rafael’s eyes, a lilt to his voice, so be it. When the time comes, he can have all the time for love and other things that make him even happier.