Bryan Benedict is more than the guy next door

There is more to Bryan Benedict than just good looks and brawn.

 

A budding actor among GMA Network's roster of fresh new faces, Bryan painstakingly earned his ticket to showbiz when he joined Protégé Season 2 in 2012 and became a finalist. 

 

PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) learned about his inspiring story in a recent conversation with him in which the 21-year-old aspiring actor revealed his colorful and interesting life.

 

Entry to showbiz

 

So how did his journey to showbiz begin?

 

“I’ve done modeling before,” he recounted. “I used to model nung 2008.

 

“I’ve done Cosmo Bachelors for a magazine twice, in 2008 and 2010.”

 

But it was his decision to join GMA Network's reality show Protégé  in 2012 that would take him one step closer to his dream of becoming an actor.

 

Bryan became a finalist, but failed to bag the grand winner title in the male category, which went to Jeric Gonzales.

 

However, Bryan’s efforts paid off because he was given an opportunity to join GMA Artist Center.

 

Waiting

 

Slowly but surely, Bryan started getting exposure on TV with his appearances in a number of Kapuso TV series such as Carmela, Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas and Innamorata. He also had a supporting role in With A Smile (2013).  

 

In the meantime, he dreams of getting his break someday as he does not know yet what the network has in store for him.

 

“'Di po nila dini-disclose 'yung mga plans nila.

 

"Naghihintay lang po ng tamang break, tamang project. Pero nagge-guestings po,” he related.

 

From dropout to honor grad

 

Brian may be climbing the showbiz ladder, but he has already accomplished what most young actors dream of achieving.

 

“Graduate po ako ng Far Eastern University, magna cum laude po ako,” he said matter-of-factly.

 

He clarified that he had to work hard for his academic honors, “I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs. Nung high school, drop-out po ako.”

 

His parents sent him to the province to finish his high school in a public school, where he graduated first honor.

 

He came back to Manila for his college education at the University of Sto. Tomas only to drop out again.

 

He told PEP, "Kasi nabarkada po ako no’n, pina-deport ako sa probinsya para dun ituloy 'yung pag-aaral ko.

 

“Tapos dun naman po, 'yung mga relatives ko, pinagdududahan ako.

 

"Nagda-drugs daw ako, na nag-iinom po ako, pero 'di naman po totoo.

 

“Bumalik ako dito sa Manila para dito po ako gumradweyt.”

 

After UST, he enrolled at the Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila and took up Information Technology as a scholar.

 

But another incident forced him to transfer school yet again, “Parang napag-initan po ako ng prof ko.”

 

He then took up Tourism at the Far Eastern University, “Eventually, nag-magna cum laude ako.”

 

In his soft, low voice, he looked back to those problematic years, “Siguro po, tama po 'yung pinaniniwalaan ko na everything happens for a reason.

 

“Kung 'di po dahil dun sa mga nangyari, 'di po ako mage-end up na maging magna cum laude.”

 

Special parents

 

Brian is proud of his family despite growing up in an environment fraught with difficulties.

 

“I grew up in a sad family because my dad is deaf-mute and my mom is deaf.

 

"And basically 'yung background ko is may ups and downs,” he quietly revealed.

 

For this reason, he said his mom's sisters helped raise him.

 

He said he communicates with his parents via sign language, “I know basic language po.

 

“'Yung mom ko naman po nakakapagsalita, nung bata lang naman po siya nadisgrasya so may alam naman po siyang words.”

 

Bryan said his aspirations and achievements are for his parents, his way of reciprocating the love and affection they have shown him all these years.

 

Dream roles

 

He admitted being more inclined towards dramatic roles, "kasi iyakin po ako.”

 

Another reason, “Siguro po parang advantage na rin po 'yun na lumaki ako sa special type of family.

 

“'Yung ganung background, nahuhugot po kung ano ako ngayon at kung ano’ng meron po sa loob ko na pwede kong ibigay sa acting.

 

"Kaya parang naging passion ko din po 'yung pag-act kasi marami po akong pinaghuhugutan, dun ko po ilalabas.”

 

He added that he looks up to Dingdong Dantes and hopes to follow in his footsteps.

 

Self-improvement

 

In the meantime, Bryan makes use of his free time to attend acting, dancing and singing workshops together with the other hopefuls of GMA Artist Center.

 

Bryan pointed out that it is beneficial for aspiring artists have many skills.

 

According to him, it is in acting where he excels.

 

In fact, "Sa batch namin, ako 'yung Best Actor, binigyan ng certificate sa batch namin.”

 

Apart from workshops, Bryan said he works out four times a week.

 

“Weight lifting lang po. 'Di na po ako nagka-cardio.” —Pep.ph