Charles Teves
The 22-year-old buffed-up Jairus Aquino admits that he no longer wants fans to view him as the lovable teenager in movies.
In an online media conference held shortly after signing with Viva Artists Agency, he said the decision to bulk up his body was influenced by his wish to be offered more roles, most especially in the action genre.
“Talagang gusto ko lang maiangat yung image ko from being a teenager na patweetums, parang gusto ko lang nas mas iangat yung sarili ko para mas may magawa pa akong maraming roles.”
He first came on to the scene by playing the character of Pareng Jomar in the 2006 series Super Inggo, and then appearing in Kung Fu Kids, Mutya, May Bukas Pa, Luv U, Nathaniel, and Pamilya Ko.
Aside from progressing his acting career, he’d also like to graduate from college with a degree in film.
“I’m still in school, gusto ko talagang makapagtapos. Importante talaga ‘yun.”
Jairus mentioned that he looks up to actors such as Jericho Rosales and John Lloyd Cruz and even hopes to work with them one day, though he has doubts that he can deliver because he feels nervous acting with them.
“Grabe yung impact nila sa mga movies. Tumatatak talaga yung ginagawa nila pati sa mga serye. Alam ko na man na pag nilagay ako sa harapan nila, sobrang kakabahan ako kasi sobrang galing nila.”
Despite being physically bigger now, Jairus will shun away from daring roles because he doesn’t think his body is all there yet. Plus his family is more on the “conservative” side and he needs to respect that.
“Base sa katawan medyo wala pa. Pero siguro not as daring. A lot of things can happen eventually. Baka mamaya biglang magbago na yung sagot ko, biglang okay na pala. But coming also from a conservative family, talagang di ko nakikita yung sarili ko. Kung meron man siguro just a hint of it.”
The young actor spent 15 years with ABS-CBN and is open to working with the network again in the future.
“Kung nasaan ang trabaho, I will go there,” he said.
