Darren Espanto’s baptism of fire

CEBU, Philippines — Living up to his Total Performer tag, Darren Espanto can now add ‘actor’ to his résumé after his stint in the Cathy Garcia-Molina film “The Hows of Us,” starring the phenomenal love team of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.

Seen through the lens of young couple George (Kathryn) and Primo (Daniel) who struggle to keep their relationship afloat while also reaching for their dreams, Darren plays Yohan, George’s younger brother afflicted with diabetes.

“Sobrang saya ko po. This is a dream come true talaga. Fan po ako ng KathNiel ever since I was a kid and I was just very excited and sobrang hopeful na makuha yung role and nagkatotoo,” said Darren before a block screening of “The Hows of Us,” held Friday at Robinsons Galleria Cebu. The event was organized and attended by almost 300 of his fans, who call themselves the Darrenatics.

“Ever since bata ako, I’ve always been fascinated with actors and acting. Hindi ko po na-try talaga umarte. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try. It’s an achievement for me,” said Darren, who rose to prominence since competing in the first season of “The Voice Kids Philippines” in 2014.

The 17-year-old didn’t get to take part in workshops prior to filming for “The Hows of Us” so he had a lot of adjusting to do.

“Singing is very different from acting. Maraming differences,” Darren began. “So nanibago ako sa first two days. Si Direk Cathy, she had to tell me a few things kapag nagte-take. Huwag daw masyado magalaw, tignan mo yung kausap mo kapag nasa scene na. Masaya naman po.”

His onscreen sister, Kathryn, also gave him words of encouragement.

“They trained me on set. Si Ate Kath sabi niya, workshops are different from being on set and mas marami daw siyang natutunan sa mismong set. It helped me, na hindi naman nabigla, pero nasubukan what it’s like on set,” Darren shared.

The rest of the cast treated him well, and he was able to get to know them especially when they went to Amsterdam, where the film was partly shot.

“Before, we [him and Kath] see each other sa ‘ASAP’ and events ng ABS-CBN. Dito palang po talaga kami nagkakilala, also Kuya DJ. Sa Amsterdam na talaga kami nagkita lahat with the crew and the cast. Sobrang approachable po nila. Day one pa lang, they already treated me like their little brother,” Darren said.

Although he relates to Yohan for his “mapang-asar, makulit, and basag trip” personality, the crooner admits there were times where he did have trouble getting into character.

“Siguro the most takes I had was three to four. One scene, yung mom ko po si Jean Garcia…parang natagalan ako para ma-portray ang emotion, to get into the character and get into the emotion. Sobrang saya ko po kasi sobrang patient ng mga kasama ko—the actors, Direk Cathy, hinintay talaga nila ako. That was one of the hardest,” he said.

After his experience on set, Darren has now a new perspective of film and acting. He said actors make it look so easy, but there was so much more in putting the whole thing together.

“I have always been fascinated with actors and how actors portray different emotions pagkasabi na ng take. Dati kapag nanonood ako, parang ang dali-dali lang ng ginagawa nila,” he continued.

“After doing this, tumaas ang respeto ko sa lahat ng nagtatrabaho on the set of a film or teleserye. Yung effort na nilalagay in each project and yung different camera angles. Kailangan i-set up each time. Naalala ko nasa 10 to 20 minutes ang set up and hindi pa natatapos yung scene.”

Darren admits that he has always wished to act and that he wanted to start his acting career by being a brother in a family-oriented film.

“Actually, hindi ko pa po napag-isipan talaga,” he said. “Ngayon, nagkatotoo. Ako po yung kapatid ni Kath. Susunod na dream role ko hindi ko pa alam pag-iisipan ko pa.”

Although he’s not opposed to doing more acting projects, Darren said he needs to equip himself more. And if he were to do a TV series, he thinks that he would have to limit his singing.

“Para po sa akin kung makakapag-workshop po ako ng matino, I think I would try again. Kung may dadating na opportunity like another movie, willing naman po ako,” said Darren, who is currently working on his fourth album.

“Teleserye? Depende. Na realize ko po na hindi ko kaya na pagsabayin ang pagiging full-time singer habang gumagawa ng pelikula. Kasi singing and acting demands something from you talaga from both ends. If I were to do teleserye, mas mababawasan ang singing.”

That said, Darren said he’s fine with being set up in a love team, and would love to be able to work with his good friend: actress and singer Alexa Ilacad.

“Depende po sa susunod na project, if another opportunity like this comes. Pero why not naman diba? We’re maturing, we’re growing up. Parang okay lang din. Tinanong po dati, sabi ko yung Tita ko. Tinatawag kop o siyang ‘Tita.’ Si Alexa, kasi sobrang close kami and chill lang kapag magkasama kami. Parang barkada.”