37 Enrique Gil: New guard

It’s easy to be skeptical about commercial models turned actors, but no one can accuse Enrique Gil of trying to coast on his looks. He was initially reluctant about the whole thing and barely had any knowledge about local show business before he was plucked out of obscurity in 2008. “My mom and Audie Gemora of Stages convinced me to try workshops so that I’d have a productive summer, not just play basketball at home,” he remembers. What started out as a small idea to relieve boredom has grown into something Enrique has become passionate about — enabling him to land major TV commercials, sign up with Star Magic and headline two television shows as a leading man since that fateful summer break. He’s currently seen in the teen-oriented weekly drama Good Vibes and the remake of the soap opera hit Mula Sa Puso, where he gets to showcase his acting chops. With a heavily visible presence on television, we let Enrique do the honors of introducing himself on “The Dialogue.”

Cherie Gil is not a relative. I get asked this a lot but I’m not related to the famous Gils or Eigenmanns, although I do admire them as actors.

I was living a normal teenager’s life. Before I started the grind of castings and auditions, I was your average teenager — bumming around and playing sports when I’m not in school.

I’m a middle child. I have a kuya and a younger sister and we like to watch movies a lot.

My hair almost cost me this role of a lifetime. When I auditioned for Mula Sa Puso, the director commented that my spiky hair was too trendy. So when I came back for the next audition I made sure it was simpler… and of course I had my lines memorized.

The freshman: “People would call my name or my character’s name. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.” Photos by Roy Macam

Before, fans would just ask me to say hi to Sam Concepcion or Enchong Dee for them. But now, things have definitely changed and I’m grateful. It just feels weird cause when I do the tapings, I don’t realize the amount of people watching what we do on the other side of the camera. Like when I’m in the airport, people would call my name or my character’s name. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

A fan once fed the entire crew and myself on the set. I think the craziest thing a fan has done so far was to order food when we were taping for a show in Singapore. They ordered two giant pizzas as big as this table (points to a long dining table nearby) and fed all of us. It was crazy and we were all so full!

AJ Perez would not stop talking and being makulit. That’s what I’ll miss most about him.

I want to put up a small soup kitchen for the underprivileged. One of my goals is to finish culinary school and open up a restaurant.

I am Spanish. When my dad was still alive, we spent one summer in Spain by the coast of Alcosebre and La Manga in between the Mediterranean Sea and Mar de Menor. It was so memorable spending that summer with the family of my dad who are based in Spain.

I am Cebuano. I was born in Cebu and I love spending time in the neighboring islands, Bantayan and Moalboal. Every summer, we hit the beach and ride the jet-ski.

My mom is a health freak. She always tells me “your health is your wealth.” She’s into a lot of organic food and our kitchen is very health-conscious. Cancer runs in the family so she’s being extra careful. And I have to admit — I’m a mama’s boy.

I’d love to watch Green Day in concert. The message in their songs really addresses present-day concerns among the young.

Don’t waste time, as it is precious. Now I know that it waits for no one, young or old, rich or poor. My parents always taught me to do the best in whatever it is that I am doing, so I try to always give it my all.