MANILA, Philippines -- If Cesar Montano is frustrated nowadays, it’s not with his acting career but with his son Diego Loyzaga who decided to enter showbiz rather than accept his offer of an Ateneo education.

He shared that he has dreamed of studying in Ateneo in his teens but his family didn’t have money then. So when his son Diego (with actress Theresa Loyzaga) came back to the Philippines to live with him, he wanted to pass on his dream to him. Unfortunately, his son opted to join showbiz instead.

“Sabi ko mag-aral muna kasi darating naman ‘yang pag-aartista. Eh nag-decision sila, majority, gusto ni Diego, gusto ng nanay, anong magagawa ko,” he shared.

He added that he was against his son’s entering showbiz this early.

“Gusto ko mag-Ateneo siya. I have money. Gusto ko ibigay sa kanya yun at kaya ko siya pag-aralin sa Ateneo. Hindi naman siguro masama yun at pagkatapos niya sa Ateneo baka halikan niya ako. Yun lang ang pangarap ko para sa kanya,” he said. He also admitted that he was hurt as a father because he is always focused on giving the best for his children’s education.

“Since gusto niya mag-artista, ibibigay ko kung anong kailangan niya,” he said. But Cesar just wished that his son would understand his point, citing examples of actors who finished their education and still made it in showbiz. He has in mind the likes of Dingdong Dantes who didn’t just make it as a popular actor but has also become a director, a TV host and an in-demand celebrity endorser. Knowing that his son is not as fluent as him in speaking the vernacular, Cesar is encouraging him to play basketball.

“Sabi ko hindi ka pa marunong mag-Tagalog. Pag nag-basketball ka kasama mo mga batang Maynila like sa San Sebastian kung gusto niya. Dun mag-ba-basketball siya, makakapag-aral siya tapos matututo siyang mag-Tagalog so pag nag-artista siya hindi na siya mahihirapan sa Tagalog,” he explained.

So why is he letting Diego have his way rather than follow his plans for him?

“Kasi naranasan ko yan nang bata ako kung papaano sakalin ng parents ko. Mahirap yan because he was already 15 years old nang dumating siya sa akin. Almost half his life hindi ko siya nakasama so iba na ang takbo ng utak,” he remarked.

Diego is simply like Cesar who was also passionate and eager to learn how to be a good actor.

Just recently, Cesar released his self-titled album under Sony Music Phils.

His second album contains nine cuts wherein three songs are his own compositions. These are “Patawarin,” “Bago Maging Bato” and “Andres De Saya,” the theme song of his forthcoming GMA-7 sitcom of the same title. Two songs are collaborations with musicians Noel Cabangon and Rico Blanco for “Awit Ni Melvin” and “Panahon Na Naman” respectively. The other two are remakes namely, “Oh Babe” and “Love.” The album’s carrier single is “Darating Ang Araw,” written by Ramon Nestor Cajipe.

AXN Beyond unveils epic drama ‘Camelot’

Last Monday (April 4), AXN Beyond premiered “Camelot” across Asia, the same week as its US debut. The series will let viewers realize that the myth of King Arthur that has inspired many movies and drama series, has a lot more to tell and if you believe you have seen it all, maybe it’s time to forget everything you think you know. Watch “Camelot” every Monday at 9 p.m. and know of a dark and gripping take on the medieval legend that was never told. “Camelot” is the first drama series on AXN Beyond to have a simulcast across Asia in the same week as its US broadcast.

Setting itself apart from other shows that have explored the Arthurian legend, “Camelot” traces the rise of young King Arthur as he struggles to unite a kingdom torn by war, deception and betrayal.

“Camelot” is brought to life by a stellar cast. Jamie Campbell Bower plays the young Arthur, while Eva Green portrays key antagonist Morgan.

“Camelot” was shot in County Wicklow, Ireland, and was made on a budget of almost US$50 million, with up to 400 cast and crew members. The 10-part series is an Irish/Canadian co-production by GK-tv, a division of Graham King and Tim Headington’s GK Films.