Martin Escudero sheds off wholesome image with HIV-themed show

MANILA, Philippines - Kapatid actor Martin Escudero was both pleased and surprised when he was offered the role in TV5’s upcoming weekly drama “Positive.”

The show marks his first lead role on TV, since he became an actor in 2005. But the role is also significantly different from the ones he’s done before. From playing the typical, romantic male lead of TV5 shows such as “Babaeng Hampaslupa” and “Enchanted Garden,” “Positive” finds Martin playing Carlo, a call center employee who is diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

The 23-year-old actor sees the project as an opportunity to leave his “pa-tweetums” image behind.

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“Malaking impact 'yan sa akin. Siyempre, karangalan ko yun na kami ang first na gagawa ng show about HIV,” Martin said in an interview recently.

He added: â€œSaka first time ko rin na magli-lead. May konting pressure pero nangingibabaw yung drive sa pagtatrabaho kasi malaking project ito.”

The “Zombadings” star said on how he reacted when he heard about the show, “Medyo nagtaka, kasi wholesome ang image ko. Pero naisip ko, gusto ko na rin magbago ng ginagawa. Nagkataon lang siguro na sumakto.”

'It’s about time'

To prepare for the show, Martin—along with the show’s cast—did an immersion with people living with HIV at the AIDS Society of the Philippines to understand the illness more. The Kapatid actor also took an HIV test to know what patients go through.

“Ayaw naming magkamali. Nagtuturo kami dito, hindi lang kami umaarte. Binubuksan naming yung mata nila, ayaw namin na mali yung malaman nila,” he said.
 
“Positive” will revolve around Carlo as he tries to find out how he got HIV. The show will also star Bianca Manalo, Bing Loyzaga, and Felix Roco.

TV5 Production Unit Head Edlyn Tallada-Abuel described the show as “sexy, edgy, and provocative.”

While not intended to be an information-entertainment program, she said “Positive” aims to spread awareness about HIV.

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“Napaka-slight ng alam natin about HIV, the modes of transmission, and yung mga bata—especially now that increasing ang number sa Philippines ng may AIDS—it’s about time na we do this program kasi nakakatakot na,” Tallada-Abuel said.

She wants the program to help remove the stigma attached to HIV and the people willing with it.

“Gusto natin, maging responsible rin sila sa mga ginagawa nila,” Tallada-Abuel added.

Primetime television has seen a number of edgy programming—GMA-7 with its gay-themed drama “My Husband’s Lover” and ABS-CBN with its female empowerment advocacy series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.” TV5 believes this is the direction local television is headed now.

Tallada-Abuel explained, “Kailangan, at the same time, kailangan ka mag-create ng awareness sa tao. This is reality. People may not want to talk about it, but it’s there.”

“Positive” will premiere October 17, Thursday, on TV5.