With BL genre becoming a trend this 2020, it is time for some clarifications.
In a recent stunt, actor Raphael Robes admitted that he was gay during a Zoom press conference for the new digital series ‘Balangaw’. However, this was all part of the plan as his ‘coming out’ was staged as part of the said series.
In an interview with LionhearTV, he clarified that him admitting that he was gay was part of the plot for ‘Balangaw.
“Kasama sya sa plot ng blurring the lines between fiction and reality,” the actor said.
But since BL series have become popular, the actor isn’t ready to play another gay role.
Raphael said, “Hindi lang ako open ngayon to a possibility to tackle BL kasi yung last two projects, Balangaw, and one for MPK, were gay roles already. Na sobrang iba naman yung character description at ibang personalities.”
Having said that, the actor is also not afraid to get typecast in gay roles but he wants to explore his options.
“Tsaka hindi dahil sa takot ma-typecast… as an artist, ayaw mong ulitin or ayaw mo irepeat sarili mo. Parang nakikita mo machachallenge sarili mo is the more you explore especially mga things or mga roles na hindi mo pa nagagawa,” he added.
As far as doing gay roles, he admitted that it will all depend on the project’s story.
“Ako naman personally pag sa trabaho tinitignan ko talaga yung materyal kung maganda ba, kung para sakin, kung magagawan ko ba ng hustisya yung role,” Raphael said.
With him playing gay roles despite the fact that he is straight, he understands why the LGBTQ+ community wants someone really gay to get the part. According to him, as long as he can give life to the character, there’s nothing wrong with it.
“I think as a straight male, and kung nakita nung director sa vision nya na ikaw ata ang kaya mag-portray nito, and if you can do it justice, I don’t see anything bad na kung straight yung nakakakuha ng role,” he said.
The actor who is also a SOGIE supporter shared his insights on how important this bill is. For him, it just shows maturity and that people learn from their past experiences. For him, it is better for everyone that the bill becomes a law.
“I think ibang generation na rin kasi tong kinalakihan natin. Everything’s now more progressive. I think in any field and in any aspect. I think it just shows maturity at makikinig tayo sa past natin. Lahat ng mali natin na dapat ibahin. And I think we’re being more progressive at mas nagiging open sa lahat at the same time nagiging inclusive lahat. I think it is better for everyone as a whole. Especially humanity as a whole. Kasi at the end of the day diba, tayo-tayo lang naman ang nakatira sa planetang ‘to eh,” the actor explained.
With most people still afraid to come out and reveal their true gender, the actor has a few things to say to encourage them. His advice to them is to stay true to themselves and to trust their heart,
“Maniwala ka lang talaga sa sinasabi ng puso mo or more of gut feel, intuition. At makukuha mo lang talaga yan is if you stay that way, commit sa pagiging pagkatotoo mo, and through experience,” Raphael said.
Raphael is currently single but he has a prospect and hopes he’ll be in a relationship at the end of the year.
“May prospects. Single for a while pero mukang may… baka meron, baka meron… Pero ngayon mas nag-oopen up na. Sinasabi ni Lord, sign na yan. Ligawan mo na, subukan mo na. Makikita natin pagkatapos ng taon kung may mangyayari,” the actor said.
