Khalil Ramos returns to Cinemalaya and makes theater debut

Khalil Ramos continues to explore new acting territories and he is scoring some firsts as a beautiful consequence.

The Kapuso star is playing the lead character James in this year’s Cinemalaya entry titled As If It’s True, and collaborating with fellow Sparkle GMA Artist Center talent Ashley Ortega and young director John Rogers for the first time.

Also known for his singing, the actor is making his theater debut via the restaging of the musical Tick, Tick… Boom!, presented by 9 Works Theatrical, and taking on the lead role of Jon, an aspiring musical composer.

As If It’s True and Tick, Tick… Boom! will be shown to the public from Aug. 4 to 13, and on all weekends of August, respectively.

It’s always good to watch a talented thespian further expand his creative horizons, material- and medium-wise.

“It’s my first time working with Ashley on a project. We have met in endorsement events before,” said Khalil of his onscreen partner, who was the lead actress in the TV series Hearts on Ice, in a recent press conference.

“Ito yung pinaka-first na nag-work kami on a drama (It’s our first time to have worked on a drama project). The experience was so great because she’s also very collaborative and game, and also the material we were working on was something that we both resonated with.”

According to Khalil, he and Ashley had enough time to bond and establish a working rapport through pre-production activities such as script reading and workshops. So, when their work started on set, they were just breezing through it. The level of trust they had for each other did help.

In the rom-com narrative, Khalil and Ashley play the parts of a music artist James and content creator Gemma.

“Yes, in a way, I could relate to my character, who is a musician. I know how it feels to be a struggling artist,” shared he. “I could relate to him (in the aspect of) adjusting and compromising his passion for financial stability, especially during the pandemic.”

He continued, “During that time, there were no live events and (the production of) TV shows and movies (was put on hold). We were forced to do something new or create content online. Isa yun sa mga kinailangan kong aralin during the pandemic. I could relate to my character in that way.”

Khalil also added that he and James are different in how they see and handle a romantic relationship.

As If It’s True also gave Khalil the opportunity to work with a Gen Z director, who provided the actors the artistic spaces and freedom in presenting characters.

“That’s very new and very refreshing, his approach was different, very unique,” said he of John, “but he’s very collaborative. He’s a super cool guy.”

Khalil’s first Cinemalaya film was Liway, with Glaiza de Castro in the title role. His second foray into the independent film festival is As If It’s True. From playing a supporting-and-cameo role, Khalil portrays one of the two main characters, who represent the life and perspective of the new generation.

“It was refreshing to take on a lead role for the first time in Cinemalaya and to work with a younger director. It was a refreshing experience and it’s my first film back after the pandemic, which I am very happy about,” said he.

Although he has done movies in the past and is familiar with the ins and outs of film acting, Khalil shared that “it’s always new every time and it is not always the same experience, especially this material is also very different (from the ones I’ve had before).”

In a related question from The STAR, Khalil said, “I’m just really happy doing a film again. My biggest wish for the film industry is to get all the support that it needs right now from its audience. I hope this year’s Cinemalaya will see a resurgence in filmgoers nationwide.

“Being a part of that movement is very important for me as an actor. I just love the community so much and I wish nothing but the best for it. So, I’m very excited to see the entire community again,” he added.

Khalil also shared his thoughts on preparing for his Tick, Tick… Boom! role, which encompasses table reading and attending rehearsals, by saying that “I am enjoying it very much, like I’ve said earlier, for me as an actor, I don’t come across a process like this every day because this is the first-ever theater and stage production, where I am part of.

“Sobrang iba yung mabigyan ako ng time to actually immerse myself in a character for that long. (It) is such an experience for me. Yes, I’m enjoying every single bit of it.”

With his participation in the musical, Khalil can reflect on any other subtle differences and similarities between TV, film and stage acting.

“The biggest difference was the length of the material,” he said about his theater work. “I needed to memorize so many words, so many monologues. I don’t leave the stage for the entirety of the musical. So, straight siya, from start to finish, nanduon ako nagdadadaldal in front of the audience.”

“Ang pinaka-similar (about acting in these mediums) is really the truth, it’s still about the truth of your performance, the truth of your character, what the character wants to say, what the character is feeling,” the singer-actor added.

“That’s still the No. 1 thing in all of these mediums… If you find your truth, everything else will follow.”