Rico Blanco said he still could not believe he had landed his first leading man role at the age of 53 as he promotes his romantic-comedy debut in the upcoming film “Project Baby” opposite Sue Ramirez.
During the film’s recent media conference, Blanco opened up about feeling nervous and experiencing “impostor syndrome” over taking on his first rom-com lead role.
“First ko ito, ever (na rom-com). Hindi ko alam kung magiging last. Sana hindi. Minsan nga nagkaka-impostor syndrome ako. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Totoo ba ‘yan? Kinakabahan ako dito eh. Mas kabado pa ako dito kaysa pag merong major concert or malaking music event. Kasi po, as you all know, bihira kong gawin ito (presscon),” he admitted.
READ: Rico Blanco takes on first leading man role, pairs up with Sue Ramirez
Blanco said he never imagined he would receive a leading man role this late in his career, especially in a Regal Entertainment film.
“You know, at this point in my life, ngayon pa ako magkakaroon ng lead role and Regal movie. It’s like, parang ginaganun (sampal) ko ‘yung sarili ko. I can’t believe all of this is happening. It’s unbelievable to me,” he shared.
“I’ve done so many things in my career that I’m so grateful for. Nalagpas-lagpasan ko na maraming dreams ko. Ito po, I’ll be honest, hindi ko po ito dream at all. Tapos nangyari. So I’m just filled with so much gratitude,” he added.
Blanco, who rose to fame as a musician and keyboardist of the Filipino rock band Rivermaya, pointed out that while he has been acting for quite some time, it was never in the same capacity as a leading man.
The actor-singer recalled portraying the main villain in the fantasy-horror-drama series “Imortal” starring Angel Locsin and John Lloyd Cruz.
“I’ve been given very strong roles, pero hindi ‘yung ganito na parang leading man. I didn’t expect this. I had always been given parang actor’s roles, ‘yung characters na nagawa ko na. ‘Yung medyo edgy. Sobrang thankful ako sa tiwala ni Direk Eric (Quizon) and Sir Keith (Monteverde) and everyone,” he said.
Blanco also reflected on what he learned while working on “Project Baby,” particularly its themes about parenthood, timing, and life choices.
“I’m of that age, too. In fact, some might say overdue, diba? So, my thoughts on the matter have been ongoing. I’m still kind of trying to search for answers regarding that,” he said.
“This movie is, yes, it’s about having a baby, but it’s also, to me, about the opposing forces all the time of taking control on the one hand and also of letting life happen to you,” he explained.
Directed by Eric Quizon and written by Joey Javier Reyes, “Project Baby” follows Sandy, played by Ramirez, an advertising executive who decides to pursue motherhood on her own terms after feeling that time is running out for her to have a child. She later seeks the help of Blanco’s character, Migo, to become her baby daddy.
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The film also stars Matt Lozano, Arra San Agustin, Yasser Marta, Alex Calleja, Kimson Tan, Christian Ty, Charuth, Drei Arias, Jonathan Perez, Jazzil Sarinas, and Alice Dixson. It is scheduled to premiere in Philippine cinemas on June 10. /edv
