Ryan Bang plans to stay here for good

MANILA, Philippines - Ryan Bang is happy at the rate his showbiz career is going that he is now considering the option of filing for permanent residency here in the Philippines.

“I’m happy because I am now able to help my parents,” begins Ryan regarding the fruits of his labor. “Before, I kept on asking them for money but now, no more. I’m the one who provides for their needs. Bawi ako. Besides, my mother knows that I’m enjoying every minute of my stay here because everybody is easy to deal with.”

In fact, Ryan shares, he’s been thinking about acquiring permanent residency status but “I’ve yet to decide if I will stay here for life or go back to Korea in the future. All I can say is that I’m content with my life here now.”

And who wouldn’t? Anyone who would slip into his shoes could readily attest how sweet life is for the full-blooded South Korean these days. He is co-host of the ABS-CBN daily noontime It’s Showtime! and also a regular cast member of Banana Split which now carries a new tag, Banana Nite, to complement the nightly fun and laughter about to unfold beginning Monday, Feb. 25, after Bandila.

“I don’t feel like working at all because we have nothing but fun on and off screen. Everyone is nice to be with that I find it too tough to make up my mind if I will be staying here permanently because I will surely miss all of my friends here when I leave. Certainly, I can never forget them ‘til the day I die.”

Besides, Ryan says his mom and dad can visit him anytime they want to or he could go once or twice a year to his homeland. All he wants now is to work. He has become a familiar face on TV after he emerged as one of the finalists in the Kapamilya reality show Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash of 2010 for his natural wit and humor.

His popularity rose since he started appearing on TV and film projects that have become synonymous with fat earnings. And just like any other showbiz personality, Ryan has his share of ups and downs, too. Just recently, his name had become fodder for news headlines after some officials of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) discovered that he was delinquent in paying his taxes. Ryan reportedly failed to pay his tax due for 2010 and 2011 amounting to P1.82M. Ryan confesses he has no inkling about tax obligations until his attention was called through the complaint filed against him.

“It was a sad news for me but I’m settling the matter. I will surely pay (the amount). I’m so sorry for what happened. Gusto ko humingi pasensya sa mga tao di ko talaga alam eh akala ko bawas na sa sweldo. Kaya ngayon inaaral ko na mga papers dati kasi high school lang ako and I really had no plans of working. And since it was my fault, I promise to pay. S’yempre, rule yun sa Philippines kaya i-follow ko ’yun. Yes, I told my mom about it but I didn’t want her to worry anymore because I know I can fix this.”

Besides, his Showtime and Banana families are more than willing to assist him anytime. Ryan hopes to settle the matter as soon as possible and even expresses his intention to personally appear at the BIR office to apologize for the unsavory matter.

Despite the worries, Ryan promises to continue tickling funny bones with the rest of Banana Nite headliners that include John Prats, Angelica Panganiban, Zanjoe Marudo, Melai Cantiveros, Jayson Gainza, Sunshine Garcia, Aiko Climaco, Badjie Mortiz and Pooh.

“It’s really fun working even if tapings last ’til the following morning. Lahat masaya walang problema sa trabaho. Wala akong kagalit, di ko alam kung galit sila sa akin,” Ryan says in jest.