Bonjovi is ready for challenges

One of the best things to happen to Bonjovi Osorio in 2013 was finally getting his acting break on TV. The 24-year-old commercial model and former varsity athlete from Seaside High School and the University of California-Irvine landed a role in the local remake of Maria Mercedes — it may have been a small role, but one big enough to give him a taste of what showbiz is like.

In the show, Bonjovi played James, the college and wealthy friend of Jake Cuenca’s character Luis. When he arrived on the set for his first taping day, Bonjovi was shocked to find that his role wasn’t as small as he had thought. “My first episode already had dialogue in it,” he recalls. He appeared in four or five episodes altogether. “That’s most definitely enough for me for my first TV show taping,” he adds with a satisfied smile.

Getting used to memorizing the dialogue, the call times and the long working hours were challenging, but they also made him a lot happier than he expected. This was exactly what he was hoping for when he came back to the country after living in the US since he was seven years old. He actually attempted to break into showbiz back in 2009 with a batch of artists that included Kaye (formerly K–La Rivera), VJ and host Bianca Roque and now actor Alden Richards. He was spending the summer in the Philippines when the offer came, and after convincing his parents to let him try it out, took a break from his studies. But after only a year, Bonjovi had to return to the US because of what he describes as “family issues” — and his mother’s request that he finish college first — cutting short what could have been a promising showbiz career.

Then in June of 2012, another opportunity to rejoin showbiz presented itself. This time, Bonjovi made sure that nothing would stand in the way. He asked for his parents’ permission (which they gave) and right after graduation from the University of California-Irvine, he got on a plane and flew to Manila, coming here all alone.

Once here, he sought out the people of Backroom again and asked for a second chance to prove himself. Fortunately, they said yes without hesitation. “The reason why I love Backroom with all my heart is because they agreed and added me to a new batch of talents,” says Bonjovi.

He became part of a new group of talents called Not Your Ordinary Boys and Girls (NYOBG). They became his family in Manila. “They keep me ambitious in reaching for my dreams. I see them as my brothers and sisters, often joking around while also having a bit of ‘friendly’ competition. In the beginning, we each had our ‘small’ groups and minor jealousy among each other. As of now, being together after two years, I guess you can say we’re all inseparable. The great benefit from being part of a group like that is having that strong bond that keeps me sane and helps me forget the fact that I moved back here alone,” says Bonjovi. “Regardless of having relatives here, the group is different to me and something that I need while pursuing showbiz. I do hope whether or not all of us crack open the door into showbiz, that we’ll always have that family type of bond.”

At the time, he forced himself to conquer the “first-timer jitters” that most aspiring artists go through. “But through it all, I never complained and honestly, I just enjoyed every moment of it while it lasted,” he says. “I also auditioned for TV5’s Artista Academy but only reached the Top 75 semifinalists. “Even though I wasn’t picked to be one of the eight guys to join, it was a needed rejection to build my tolerance with the hardships of the journey in pursuing showbiz.”

By now, he’s used to the hardships and is ready for all the challenges he has to face. He knows that one day, he’s going to succeed and doesn’t mind waiting for that time, which will surely come.