By NEIL RAMOS
Ricky Gumera is determined to make it big in showbiz and he will do anything to achieve his goal.
“Binigay sa akin ang opportunity na ito so, ayokong sayangin,” he told us in a recent interview. “Gagawin ko po talaga lahat mapatunayan ko lang na karapatdapat ako sa showbiz.”
Note he never really dreamed of becoming an actor.
He related, “Ang sa akin po ang ma-i-ahon ko ang sarili at pamilya ko sa hirap at umaasa ako na sana ito na yun.”
The 21-year-old has tried everything prior.
He said, “Dati po kahit anong trabaho pinapasok ko, dishwasher, delivery boy, nagtrabaho din ako sa junk shop, kahit ano…”
“Actually wala akong ka-alam alam sa pag-arte. Sa pageants po ako talaga nahasa,” added Ricky who was named Mister Global-PH in 2019.
It was when he started attracting the attention of industry insiders.
“Bale kasi dapat sasampa ako dapat sa barko kaya lang nagka-pandemic. E sakto biglang may audition daw para sa isang pelikula so sumalang ako. Hindi ko naman alam na makukuha ako e.”
The film is “Anak Ng Macho Dancer” as directed by none other than Joel Lamangan for Joed Serrano’s Godfather Productions.
Among his co-stars are Jay Manalo, Jaclyn Jose, Emillio Garcia, Rosanna Roces.
Was he intimidated?
“Hindi naman po kasi mabait sila sa akin. Marami po silang advice sa akin. Marami akong natutunan sa kanila,” Ricky shared.
“Si Ms. Jaclyn sinasabi niya ‘wag mong aktingan, normal ka lang.
“Ganoon din sabi ni Sir Emilio, maging natural lang.
“Ang mabibigat kong eksena si Sir Jay. Sobrang humanga ako nang mapanood ko siya. Grabe bigay todo si Sir Jay. Sobrang idol ko talaga.Nakita ko kung paano siya umarte.”
As training, Ricky underwent acting workshop with award-winning actress Ruby Ruiz.
“Marami akong natutunan sa kanya na nagamit ko sa movie,” Ricky proudly enthused.
“Ang laki po talaga ng adjustment ko sa pag-aartista na galing sa pageant. Kasi nga wala akong experience sa acting. Fulfillment sa akin ‘yung role na binigay ng Godfather Productions. Challenging, markado,” he added.
Ricky is now being billed as “Bagong Totoy Mola.”
He said, “Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi Jay Manalo ‘yan,eh! Trademark niya ‘yan. Pag binansagan kang bagong Totoy Mola, pabor sa akin ‘yan. May maipagmamalaki naman ako! Makikita niyo sa movie.”
“Anak ng Macho Dancer” will have its premier by December at the UP Film Center.
