A Good Year For Carlo Aquino

By Isah V. Red

“It’s been a good, but crazy year.” Although, the year isn’t over yet, young actor Carlo Aquino feels that way about it. For him, this has been a very successful year, critically and commercially.

And why not? He after all bagged not one but two acting awards. The first was a Best Actor trophy from the Golden Screen Awards for the indie film Pagkagising Mula Sa Kamulatan, a psychological study about a troubled young man. The other was again a Best Actor trophy from the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for television for his performance in the “Scapular” episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya where he played the youngest of three brothers separated after they were victimized by an illegal recruiter. His co-stars were Jhong Hilario and Ketchup Eusebio.

Carlo was also widely praised by TV viewers for his role as Oman in Bituing Walang Ningning. Although Oman was a minor character and wasn’t even in the original story, Carlo played it so well that his exposure grew because audiences demanded it. Now, there is talk that projects are being cooked up for him and Sarah Geronimo because of how well their team-up was received.

By now audiences are mesmerized by Carlo’s performance in the new afternoon soap, Makita Ka Lang Muli, on GMA-7, produced by TAPE Inc., the same company behind the long-running and top-rating Eat Bulaga.

Carlo shares stellar billing with Celia Rodriguez, Andrea del Rosario and Roderick Paulate.

The first time TAPE called to offer him the role, Carlo was abroad. Bituing Walang Ningning had just ended, and he was enjoying some downtime and bonding with his family. When told that Carlo was unavailable, the people behind the production said they really wanted him for the role, and were willing to wait until he returned.

As for the acting awards, Carlo couldn’t be more grateful. “I’ve always been a positive thinker, but I have never really expected to win awards,” says Carlo. “But [now that I have] I really cherish these awards. The feeling is so overwhelming. I’ve really been very blessed this year.”

Viva is also planning to go full-blast with his musical career next year. Carlo’s pop-alternative band will soon start recording.