RK Bagatsing gets acting break through a gay role in 'Slumber Party'

MANILA, Philippines - As a newbie in the industry, it was not easy for RK Bagatsing to get noticed.

Starting as a commercial model, RK saw this as a stepping stone for his dream of becoming an actor. His most recent TV commercial is Cadbury, where he was driving the car and belted out the song “Sweet Child of Mine” as his friends eat chocolate.

Since he’s just starting, he is off to grab every acting opportunity that comes his way, and one of them is the 2012 Cinema One Originals entry “Slumber Party,” where he stars with Markki Stroem and Archie Alemania.

He played the role of Phi, the sweetest and shy of the three gay friends in the film.

He was first planned to audition for the role of Jhonel, the fraternity guy which was given to to Sef Cadayona.

After throwing his lines during the audition, the film’s director Emmanuel dela Cruz asked if he could act gay since his brother, Raymond Bagatsing, is good in portraying gay roles.

“Sabi ko, puwede ko pong subukan,” he recalls replying top Dela Cruz.

He said he was surprised when he got a call from the production group and was informed that instead of getting the character of Jhonel, he is going to play the role of Phi.

RK said he immediately loved the movie right after reading the script, and he had no hesitations in taking the gay role.

The newbie said that during the shooting of the film, he felt very pressured because he was working with experienced actors.

“Pressured talaga ako, kasi experience wise… Markki worked in theatre, Archie is Archie so pressure,” he said.

But instead of giving in to the pressure, RK said he used it as his inspiration to strive hard to be able to give justice to the gay character.

He said he watched a lot of gay-themed films, but also git inspiration from the American series "Modern Family."

Aside from the films, he was also thought by a gay family friend and by his five sisters.

Several observers believe that RK was able to portray the gay role almost effortlessly, igniting rumors that he may be gay in real life.

“Well, I take it as a compliment,” he said with a smile. “Anong magagawa natin dun 'di ba? For me, binigay ko lang yung kailangan for the character. Tsaka secured naman ako sa sarili ko,” he said.