Benjamin puts dating on hold

MANILA, Philippines - When Benjamin Alves was recently spotted with 2012 Miss Universe first runner-up Janine Tugonon on what seemed to be a “date,” it quickly led to the conclusion that they are playing sweet, romantic music together. But Benjamin is singing a different tune, setting clear his relationship status with the beauty queen.

“We’re great friends. She’s actually in the States taking up acting classes,” said Benjamin after the presscon for the Cinemalaya Best Picture in Director’s Showcase category Sana Dati which will have its theatrical run starting tomorrow, Sept. 25. GMA Films and lawyer Joji Alonso were instrumental in bringing the Jerrold Tarog film to the big screen. “She’s gonna be there for a while; yeah, we’re still in communication but as friends even when she was here.”

And though they were seen together several times out in public, Benjamin insisted that, “it was just a friendly engagement nothing more; nothing serious. For me, I’m busy with work plus, she’s not here. Although for some people it can work, I’ve never been a fan of long distance relationship. So, we’re better off as friends.”

He doesn’t even see himself dating someone these days. He is solely focused on his craft as an actor.

“You know, if you have work, it’s a blessing so you can’t be sad. I’m busy now. I can’t tell to God naman na ibigay mo sa akin lahat and really I don’t know how to handle both so okay na yung trabaho muna.”

The Kapuso actor last appeared on TV via the romantic fantasy drama series Unforgettable which folded up in May. But Benjamin found the temporary break from the drama scene useful in improving his acting talent. “For me, if there’s no work, it doesn’t mean I’m not gonna work. You gotta get better so you take acting workshop. That’s really all you should be doing so di ako nainip and I was able to travel; I was able to go to LA and New York these past few months.”

Besides, Benjamin completely trusts GMA in its timing and platform for each of its talent. “So I could wait,” he assured.

And he need not wait too long. Starting mid-October, Benjamin will be seen on GMA News TV’s eight-part docu-drama series titled Katipunan with Sid Lucero in the lead as Andres Bonifacio. It will also star Glaiza de Castro and Dominic Roco.

Asked if he is particular about a role, Benjamin replied, “As long as the role is good, I really don’t mind and I’ve never been known to ask ‘lead (role) ba yan?’ I always ask what the role or the story is about ganun lang. I don’t even mind guesting in a soap as long as the role is okay.”

Gay role also fits his taste “as long as the journey (of the character) is fulfilling, I will not oppose to it.”

Does he have a limitation?

“I think for soaps, there’s a limitation because it’s on TV so whatever they have for TV, that’s my limitation.”

And if he were to assess his performance after several acting projects in the past, Benjamin said that he has still so much to learn.

“Just recently, I saw myself in Guni-Guni when it was aired on GMA. Ah, my goodness! You know it’s nice to see something that you did a year ago at least for me if I cringe na parang di ko s’ya gusto panoorin, that for me is an indicator of growth as an actor even sa Sana Dati, when I first watched it I told myself, ‘I could’ve put it; I could’ve attacked it this way.’ Yung mga ganung dialogues with myself show na may growth; that I was able to see yung mga di tamang approach.”

But those who were able to watch Sana Dati in the Cinemalaya filmfest had nothing but praises for Benjamin’s performance. He played the former boyfriend of Lovi Poe’s character Andrea. Some observed that he delivered better than the male lead Paulo Avelino. “I just did my part,” he humbly put.

Sana Dati is a story about a woman whose wedding is thrown into disarray when a mysterious person arrives and reminds her of the man she truly loves. It bagged the most awards in the recent Cinemalaya indie filmfest including Best Picture (Directors Showcase category), Best Sound, Best Original Music Score, Best Editing, Best Production Design, Best Cinematography, Best Director (for Tarog) and Best Supporting Actor (TJ Trinidad). It also received an A rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board.

Asked if Benjamin is getting an acting tip or two from his uncle Piolo Pascual, the former replied in the negative adding that Piolo allows him to take his own journey in order to find his own identity as an actor.

“Like what you’ve said, we’re similar in many ways so it’s better to create my own niche.” Photos by Bot Glorioso