Ryan never stops learning

MANILA, Philippines - As an actor, Ryan Eigenmann often stands in the protagonist’s way. He has done it in many disguises — from the angst-ridden to the deranged and the eccentric. His antagonist stands out because it is not just a plain bad guy.

Televiewers get a peek into this through GMA 7’s The Half Sisters, where Ryan is a “cheated” husband who fathers identical twins. The drama series airs weekdays on the Afternoon Prime Block.

“The opportunities to play the protagonist are rare and few,” says Ryan of taking the kontrabida road. “Bihirang-bira (to play bida roles).” He also shares that he did not wish to become kontrabida. The opportunity just presented itself. If ever the network and the producers have his name on the list, Ryan would like to believe that he has played the antagonist part well and perhaps “tumatak na ako (I have made my mark).” Many will agree with the character actor.  

“If I’m given the opportunity to do something else or to play a different character, I’m all for it,” he says. “As an actor, your job is to bring a character to life.” Whatever role is given to him, especially if it’s interesting, Ryan would say, “Gawin natin. Buhayin natin ito whether it is a bad guy or a good guy.”

Looking back, Ryan shares that following in the footsteps of his parents was something he did not plan. “I was like any other kid who wanted to become a doctor or an astronaut,” he recalls. Growing up, Ryan says watching his parents on TV was normal, thinking that everyone’s parents were also on TV. He considers acting “like any other job,” where one should do well.

The young Ryan was asked to give acting a try. And he did. “They said I could tape on Saturdays so it would not affect my (studies),” he remembers. “And that I could work once a week.” From then on, Ryan has never stopped acting on the small and big screens — only switching TV networks and film productions, and exploring different genres.  

“Never stop learning,” shares Ryan on how to stay away from getting burned out. “If you feel that you know everything and there’s nothing you can learn, one day you’re just gonna end up not knowing what to do. I don’t want to reach that point. I don’t wanna feel burned out because this (acting) is what I like doing.”

Ryan shows no signs of slowing down in playing kontrabida to Kapuso male and female leads. His “weapon” for not delivering a “compromised” performance is to find a different way in approaching every role and every scene.    

“I’ve played countless bad guys,” Ryan says. “I’ve died so many times. It’s just a matter of trying to make it different every time.”

An actor’s work, Ryan rationalizes, consists of “utak at puso.” Fifteen percent of it encompasses reporting on the set; making your character believable; memorizing lines; and knowing your blocking, the camera position and the way of your lighting. Giving your heart in each scene, however, accounts for the remaining 85 percent. Ryan is also aware that “each actor has his own way of preparing for the scene. That’s what we learn through workshops — the preparation, the (things) that you have to do.” But what keeps Ryan going is the adding of fun to his work equation.

“If you’re not having fun while working, then you’ll see it as work,” Ryan says. “When you’re having fun with your work, then you’re just having fun and getting paid for it. It kinda boils down also to (tapping) the child inside you, (you know) remembering what it was like playing when you were a kid — (taking the parts of) cowboys and Indians, cops and robbers. Sometimes you’re the cop. Sometimes you’re the robber. Sometimes you’re the victim. It’s like putting that mentality of playing into this world of entertainment.”

Most importantly, Ryan does not bring the actor home. It’s clear to him that his work starts when the director says, “Action!” and it ends when the latter says, “Cut!”

Then, Ryan is off to the real world from the reel. 

(The Half Sisters also stars Jean Garcia, Jomari Yllana, Barbie Forteza, Thea Tolentino, Pinky Marquez, Carmen Soriano, Mel Martinez, Derrick Monasterio and Andrei Paras.)