Former ‘Studs’ member finds niche in gay roles

CEBU, Philippines - If one were to conduct a poll to determine primetime television’s favorite bestfriend at the moment, we daresay Kevin Santos’ “My Husband’s Lover” (MHL) character would easily top that popularity contest.

His take on Danny – the thoughtful gay close bud to Dennis Trillo’s Eric who also happens to be an adorable son and selfless elder brother – appears utterly second skin to the Tondo-bred actor that those previously not familiar with him thought he was a homosexual in real life. “When I’m in a mall, for example, they don’t call me Kevin. They call me Danny. And then they would always ask, ‘Bading ka ba?’,” he shares with a chuckle.

Kevin joined MHL main stars Dennis, Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez and support cast Kuh Ledesma, Bettina Carlos and Victor Basa last Thursday for the Cebu leg of the hit soap’s series of nationwide mall tours. GMA-7 officials pegged the Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan crowd at an estimated 11,000 and the SM City Cebu audience at an estimated 5,000. Quite the turn-out for a non-weekend.

The well-received bunch then trooped to Ralfe’s Gourmet at Casals Village for a late dinner and to later sit down with the Cebu press.

Kevin barely warmed his seat when he was immediately asked how he manages such a natural portrayal, which has gained consistent praise from MHL-addicted viewers.

He explains, “Hindi naman po kasi ito yung first time na ginawa ko ang gay role. But my past gay roles were not as serious as this one. Parang laro-laro lang yung iba. Iba si Danny eh. He’s still funny, pero malalim.”

Kevin adds that he didn’t have to look far in studying the nuances of a homosexual. “There are many gays in the [showbiz] industry, so I just observed them. Kumukuha ako ng idea sa kanila kung paano ang magandang atake. Maganda naman ang kinalalabasan. When I read the script, I try to understand it very well. Ginagawa ko siya ng maayos dahil ayokong pabayaan ang trabaho ko.”

What have been the best compliments he’s received so far? “In Twitter they say magaling daw, sobrang effective…yung iba gusto na ako nalang maging bestfriend nila, at nakikita daw nila ang sarili nila sa akin,” says Kevin.

To recall, Kevin is a product of StarStruck Batch 2, which aired in 2004 and where Mike Tan and Ryza Cenon were declared winners. Aside from Mike and Ryza, among those still active from his batch are LJ Reyes and Megan Young. He was eliminated early on and disappeared from the scene for a time due to lack of acting jobs.

He returned to the limelight when in 2008, GMA Artist Center formed an all-male singing boy band called The Studs which included himself, Mike Tan, Felix Roco, Edgar Allan Guzman, JC Cuadrado, Dion Ignacio and Coco Martin. Although the group didn’t prosper, Kevin would nab a string of support roles in many GMA-7 shows including his current one in MHL.

On the personal front, the 25-year-old doesn’t think his heavy association with gay roles would have women he’d like to woo in the near future bolt quickly to the nearest exit. “I’m sure they know it’s just my job and it’s just a role,” says Kevin, who claims to be currently single.

When prodded to name at least three female celebrities he fancies, Kevin only had one girl in mind: his MHL co-star and woman of the hour, Carla Abellana. “Magaan kasi siyang katrabaho and she’s sweet. Lagi ko siyang nakakasama sa trabaho eh, so kahit papano kilala ko na siya.” (FREEMAN)