Hero finds solace in art

It was in 2004 when Hero Angeles won the top plum in the ABS-CBN talent search Star Circle Quest, which also became his launching pad to showbiz. His love team with co-Questor and Korean Sandara Park positioned his career in a continuous upward trajectory. Their debut movie was a top-grosser, making them one of the most in-demand young celebrities. However, Hero unexpectedly ended his management contract with ABS-CBN only after a year, leaving his love team partner behind. Sandara decided to go back to her country three years after to pursue her singing career.

Hero completely fell off the showbiz radar after his acting-hosting projects on GMA and directorial stint for an indie film. It turned out, the actor shifted his focus to art through working on his drawings. Hero, who studied Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman, became an illustrator and graphic designer. He conducted art workshops, held art exhibits and studied culinary arts. He has mastered miniature painting with some of his awe-inspiring watercolor art posted on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, including his paintings of animals, food, trees and his own image no bigger than the size of a five-centavo coin. Before that, he also tried painting using coffee powder.

“Every year, I have a series of artworks that I started with ink (as medium) for doodle then the next year coffee and after that, I did scribble art parang pen lang din hanggang makabuo ng image then miniature painting with watercolor,” Hero shared when he appeared on ABS-CBN’s Tonight With Boy Abunda days after the Holy Week. “Ginagamitan ko talaga ng lente pag nagpipinta at di maiwasan na sumakit yung mata ko, batok at likod.” Thus, he decided to shift to another medium and that’s when he discovered art sculpture using polymer clay.

It took him two to six hours to finish an art piece depending on the design. “I am a visual artist that’s why my medium varies and I also want to try other things when it comes to art. Those who are asking if my collection is for sale, well, it was just lately when I learned that many are interested to buy but for now, it’s just a hobby. Those who want to buy, I invite them to attend my workshop so they will understand the process of doing it because I also studied how to make it look realistic.” If and when Hero decides to sell his works, he assured that they would be affordable. 

What is certain for now is his comeback into the acting scene as proven by his appearances in some episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) and Ipaglaban Mo. One character he portrayed in MMK was as a transgender woman. This time, Hero will be seen playing a gay man in the upcoming drama series of ABS-CBN topbilled by Sam Milby, Yen Santos and Jericho Rosales.

“When I was offered to be part of the new show, I accepted it right away thinking that finally I will get to work with my idol Jericho without me knowing about my role yet,” he said. “When I learned my role is gay, I told myself this is another challenge and as compared to what I did in MMK, this is quite different for me so sige and until now I’m studying my character. We started taping last year.”

Hero admitted he is still single unlike his contemporaries who already have families of their own. “Matagal na rin ‘yung huli (relasyon), Tito Boy. People would tell me bakit ako wala pa di gaya ng mga batch ko…but it’s by choice.” 

The last time he saw his former loveteam Sandara was in 2006, he told his fans seated in the audience section. “But I bumped into direk Cathy just recently. She was the one who directed our first movie and it was also her first (directorial) movie and direk told me that she hopes for us to work together again. Sana nga.”

And since it was his first time to be on the show, Hero submitted himself to the two-minute Fast Talk.

Tubig o langis?

“Tubig.”

Langit? Lupa?

“Langit.”

Malakas? Mahina?

“Malakas.” 

Tag-ulan? Tag-araw?

“Tag-ulan.”

Suka? Toyo?

“Toyo.”

Bulalo? Tinola?

“Tinola.”

Twitter? IG?

“IG.”

Ano ang mas mahirap, walang kain o walang tulog?

“Walang tulog.”

Oo o hindi, mahilig ka ba sa K-pop?

“Isa lang ang kilala ko dun, si Sandara lang, hahaha.”

What’s your favorite color?

“Green.”

Favorite smell?

“Fragrant.”

Favorite superhero?

“Spiderman.”

Who is your dream leading lady?

“I cannot tell for they are so many that I’d like to work with. Sarah Geronimo is among them because I got to work with her before.”

If you were to play a transwoman again, who would you like to be the leading man?

“Piolo Pascual or Jericho, they’re my idols.”

Describe your ideal girl in three words.

“Quiet, knows how to cook and companionable.”

What’s the sexiest part of your body?

“My eyes.”

Lights on? Lights off?

“Lights off.”

Sex or chocolates?

“(Paused for a while) Chocolates. There are many children who are watching, hahaha.”