Raymond Bagatsing

JUST A THOUGHT: Come live in my heart, and pay no rent. – Samuel Lover

MANILA, Philippines — WE CAN DO IT: The Hollywood dream among Filipino actors is not a far-fetched reality, insists veteran actor Raymond Bagatsing whom we caught up with at the media launch of his new GMA drama serial, “The Good Daughter.”

It will happen one of these days, he says, if not to himself, then to other deserving Filipino actors.

Raymond, who lived for four years in the Los Angeles, California area, to pursue an acting career there, bases his prediction on the quality of work delivered by our actors in the international scene plus the critical response they fetch from producers and co-workers.

“Even my mentors in the acting workshops I attend speak very highly of Filipino actors,” he says.

• • •

DIVIDED TIME: Raymond, who was built up as an action star in the ’90s (“Bad Boys,” “Ang Kriminal ng Barrio Concepcion”) but who evolved into a fine drama actor in the ensuing years, has acted in at least four independently-produced American films thus far. He plans to divide his time equally between the Philippines and the US in pursuit of his twin dreams.

Raymond works with an agent in Hollywood.

While trying to make a dent on US territory, Raymond says he wants to similarly maintain his acting career in the Philippines.

“It feels good, it’s a different experience altogether when one acts with his fellow Filipino actors,” he says.

Raymond has been kept busy by a string of teleseryes – and an international film, “Captured,” by Brilliante Mendoza – upon his return in 2010. Among his recent TV credits are “Sabel,” “Amaya,” “Time of My Life.”

In “The Good Daughter,” set to premiere on Feb. 13, he plays, in contrast to the lead character played by Kylie Padilla, the bad father.

After the soap’s wrap within three months, the actor is set to make a trip to the US again to follow up some unfinished business with his agent, not necessarily relating to his, uhmmm… once controversial love life.

• • •

YES, FATHER: Was it merely coincidental that lead actress Kylie Padilla landed “The Good Daughter” role just when she had broken off ties with Aljur Abrenica?

Kylie probably thought she had to internalize her character, so she followed her father’s (Robin Padilla) advice to go slow where affairs of the heart are concerned. Now, Kylie is truly “The Good Daughter” that her father wants her to be.

The budding drama actress is paired with Rocco Nacino in her new series directed by Mike Tuviera, a fitting follow-up to “Blusang Itim.”

• • •

M FOR MAGICIAN: Veteran TV director Johnny Manahan celebrates a birth anniversary this Sunday on “ASAP 2012.” Expect fireworks and trumpets on the show as Mr. M’s talents – boys and girls he groomed to stardom – say a little prayer of thanks and praise to the man to whom they owe their success.

Says a studio Twitter: “Johnny Manahan, fondly called Mr. M by those lucky enough to be taken under his wing, is the man behind the success of every Star Magic artist. It is under his watchful eye that ordinary teens like Piolo Pascual, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban and John Lloyd Cruz were transformed into the leading men and women that now banner ABS-CBN’s top-rating shows.”

(nescuar@yahoo.com)