Victor Basa: No qualms playing gay role

Young actor Victor Basa said that he has no qualms in portraying gay roles.

Basa said this is the reason why he agreed to do his first gay role in a romantic comedy film titled "Maling Akala."

Basa, in this latest digital film, said that he is open to do unusual roles only if the story is really good.

"No qualms whatsoever I took it after I read the script that's what I do. Hindi ako ‘yong 'oy may movie ka' tapos kukuniun ka lang ‘no, the management make it a point na you like it talaga, I read the script at nakita ko na maganda talaga. Iba ang aspect sa gay issue so I took it," Basa told abs-cbnNEWS.com in a Cinema One Originals press conference held Tuesday at Gusi Restaurant in Quezon City.

Basa stressed he did not hesitate to do the film because he believes that the audience are bright enough to understand unique stories.

"I trust the audience, our audience is educated so they are ready for different kind of stories," he said

Basa said that to make a good film, actors and actresses should learn to love their roles first.

"As an actor I tried to love every script, every character that I play so I would be able to play it the best I could...always give our best and to do that kailangan mong mahalin ‘yong role mo," he said.

When asked if he is willing to do another gay role, Basa replied: "Why not? Ayaw ko din po ma-typecast pero okay lang, if I'm good at it, why not? As an actor we reinvent ourselves, our characters -- it's just a skin after the film you shed it, we evolve and actors keep learning."

The movie

"Maling Akala" tells the bittersweet love story of JP and Teta. The film gives us a glimpse of how a gay man and a woman relationship works... or maybe not.

In the movie, JP becomes an instant fugitive when he accidentally killed his handsome lover and boards a bus to escape. Seated beside a nine-month pregnant Teta, who after a few hours went into labor. After giving birth, JP accompanies mother and baby home to their fishpond in Sasmuan, Pampanga. Teta impulsively introduces JP as the father of her child surprising both JP and her parents.

When JP and Teta agree to act as husband and wife, their queer, dysfunctional tale begins that make them both realize things new and realistic about themselves.

"Maling Akala" is part of the 2007 Cinema One Originals and a nominee for Best Cinematography in 2008 Golden Screen Awards and 31st Gawad Urian 2008.

The film also gives Basa a nomination for Breakthrough Performance by an Actor in 2008 ENPRESS.

Catch Basa's remarkable acting by watching "Maling Akala" at the Indie Sine of the Robinson's Galleria from November 5 to 11.

Underwear models,up close and personal

Wondering if underwear models really wear what they endorse, I bravely asked one of Penshoppe’s icons, Victor Basa, if he certainly uses one. He promptly answered, “Yes, yes . . . here” and, flashing the label of his underwear, aptly showed me that he is in fact, using the brand. Flushed, I shyly said, “no it’s alright, you don’t have to show me, just answer my question.”

Strutting onstage wearing nothing but bikini briefs and oil, Basa it isn’t hard to do at all, especially with so many other studs sharing the tight spot on the limelight, fellow models who have grown to be his friends.

“I highly regard the concept and layout of the advertisement, for this reason I was able to pose even with only brief on,” he says. The 23-year-old Basa admits that he was conscious prior to the shoot, a bit stiff, but was able pull it through with the help of her co-models. He admits that he’s a “brief guy” from Mondays to Saturdays and wears boxers on Sundays when he has nothing to do but rest at home.

Half-Japanese, half-Brazilian Akihiro Sato is the latest ambassador of Penshoppe. Making waves in the country, Sato was able to penetrate the scene with both TV and print ads in his first four months in the country—undeniably the turning point of his life.

“I’m proud and happy to be in the Philippines and tends to be here forever,” Sato enthusiastically shares, adding, “I’m learning the Filipino language at this moment and hopes to become a movie star in the Philippines.”

Revealing that he is extremely shy, Sato at 22 recently walked on the ramp as one of hottest guys for Cosmopolitan’s Bachelor Bash 2008, which allowed him to conquer the consciousness and awkwardness he felt when sauntering in nothing but underwear. He disclosed that he was paid in Euros for the Penshoppe project.

Now on his fourth year in the modeling industry, Sato was first discovered in Brazil by the seashore where he lives. He started at an early age of 16 and jumped into professional modeling when he was 18.

Aside from his well-structured body, he displays three Japanese tattoos engraved in his ribcage that reveal details in his life– love, sun and woman are the ideas that he can’t live without.

He girds for his stints at the runway by preparing his mind and body. Thrice weekly trips to the gym are a must. A special diet that includes vegetables, fruit, soymilk and intake of protein supplement is what he does to keep his body fit.

More than just baring all, underwear models reveal a discipline and fortitude that make the stand tall and proud.