Nash: The bulilit is a big boy now

MANILA, Philippines - After graduating from Goin’ Bulilit two years ago, Nash Aguas became less visible on the big and small screens. A regular TV show didn’t come immediately after he bid the ABS-CBN kiddie gag show goodbye. What he only had then were mostly guest appearances in the Kapamilya drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya.

“Since there’s nothing much to do after Goin’ Bulilit, I went to my dad who is in the States,” shares Nash before the presscon for LUV U where he is one of the new cast members. “I spent a three-month vacation there in San Francisco.”

Right after he came back home, Nash thought it would be best to prepare himself by improving on his looks while waiting for the next acting project to come. “I needed to prepare and I had (dental) braces, too.”

Now 14 years old, Nash looks far different from his Bulilit days. He has grown taller and is definitely more handsome. According to him, he underwent that “awkward stage” commonly experienced by teeners. But he was able to pass through it without much trouble. “Did I have a hard time dealing with it? No. I always keep in mind that I need to prepare. Lahat po naman dumaan dun; sila Ate Miles (Ocampo) dumaan din sila sa awkward stage.”

These days, Nash can comfortably say that he is no longer a kid. “Di na po ako bata. I’m a teenager now; tween po ang tawag nila dun.”

And the teenager role fits him to a T. Nash will be playing one of the incoming high school students of Lamberto Uy Villarama University in the teen comedy series. Other Bulilit graduates who will also join in the show are Mika dela Cruz, Alexa Ilacad, Jairus Aquino, Kobi Vidanes and Sharlene San Pedro.

“I play the son of a rich man who owns a resort and hotel. My character is the bully type. In the story, we will be entering high school, kami nila Jairus then I will bully my classmates, especially the girls.”

But that is not to say that LUV U condones bullying, which is one of most alarming issues today. It touches on the matter in the aim of finding solution to the negative behavior.

“Para kaming F4 sa Meteor Garden. I’m also a leader of our group called Breakers, I bully some of my classmates because I want to call attention; parang gusto ko ako lagi napapansin kasi yung parents ko walang time for me like my dad here na laging negosyo ang inaasikaso.”

Other teenage dilemmas will also be tackled as the show goes on. Add to that the family problems that can be solved inside the home. Still, the new season will be filled with exciting, funny scenes and young love. The addition of new cast members is essential in tackling teenage matters and maintaining the show’s youthful vibe.

Director Frasco Mortiz says the characters of Miles Ocampo, Marco Gumabao, Kiray Celis, Igi Boy Flores, CJ Navato, Angeli Gonzales and Alfred Labatos are temporarily put in the background. The former students of LUV U are now in college.

“Rest lang muna sila but they will be back. In the previous episode, they were stuck in Singapore so we will continue the story with the new cast.”

What can Nash say about his new acting assignment?

“I’m happy to be included in the show. This is a new challenge to prove my worth in acting,” Nash replies.

Doesn’t he miss doing drama? He last starred in the drama vehicle Maria Flordeluna some years back. “Na-mi-miss din po, dun ko po kasi nailalabas yung acting ko.”

And if ever a new project comes along, Nash wishes to do romantic-comedy like John Lloyd Cruz. “Because Kuya John Lloyd can do both. He is good in drama like in One More Chance and he’s also effective in rom-com na gaya ng mga ginawa n’ya nung nakaraan. I really want to be like him.”

Starting June 16, Nash and the new cast members will make for good afternoon TV viewing for the whole family. Direk Frasco hopes to attract not just teenagers but the older viewers, too.