Just ask Vic Sotto, who plays his father in his debut movie under ATP Films and Regal Entertainment called "Ispiritista: Itay, May Moomoo." "We took BJ in ‘Eat Bulaga’ because we saw something in him. Even if he was still a nobody then, we hired him kasi may nararamdaman kami para sa kanya. We won’t just get anyone unless we see their potential, and BJ has big potentials!"
BJ, like Aiza during her childhood, has become today’s well-loved student in "Eat Bulaga’s" "Bulagaan" portion. His role, like Aiza’s, has been to ask silly questions with of course silly answers before any pie-throwing begins.
"I enjoy working with my ‘Eat Bulaga’ family," confessed BJ in Tagalog. "They are all very nice and I learn a lot from them especially from Bosing."
Actually, BJ started in "Eat Bulaga" in the year 2003 as a contestant of "That’s My Boy." According to his mother, Angelita, his bid for stardom happened because of a big remote control car BJ saw in a department store. He asked his mom to buy it but unfortunately it was expensive and was not within their household budget. BJ’s mom also told him that it would be unfair for his sister if he would be the only one to have a new and expensive toy.
Then, out of the blue, BJ said that he would just join "That’s My Boy," win and buy the remote control car. When they got home, BJ went immediately to his room, took out a poem they’ve been reciting in school and practiced it in front of a mirror. Luckily for him, he won the daily contest with his poem and was able to reach the finals with his declamation talent via the poem "Ako’y Pilipino." He didn’t win the title but he earned for himself a Best in Costume award and some cash prizes.
What happened to the remote control car?
BJ didn’t buy it anymore and explained to his mother that because it was hard to make a living and earn money, he’d rather save his winnings than spend it. He was just contented with the Dragon Ball Z toy he got from the contest.
Another reason BJ joined the said contest was his goal to join local show business. He has always dreamed of seeing himself someday on television like the actors he usually watched on TV.
"Kapag artista ka, para kang idol ng mga tao," he quipped.
His attitude towards life as exemplified by his "That’s My Boy" experience is what also sets him apart from other child actors or actresses. He didn’t cry when he lost because he explained that he also got stuffs from the contest.
The next chapter in BJ’s rise to fame is his Tide commercial wherein he has grown popular as "nambubura ng kalawang" or "erasing rust." This happened after five months of going from VTR sessions to VTR sessions.
He competed against a number of child hopefuls for the lead part of that Tide commercial. He got the part and since then, BJ became "Tolits" in the series of Tide commercials.
Another milestone in BJ’s rising career is the horror-comedy flick by Tony Reyes "Ispiritista" which opens on Oct. 26. He co-stars with Vic Sotto and Cindy Kurleto as well as other popular comedians like Redford White, Allan K, Gladys Guevarra, Teri Onor, Soxy Topacio, Antonio Aquitania, Rudy Meyer, Wally Bayona and Jose Manalo with Robert Arevalo, Joonee Gamboa and Marissa Delgado.
"Gusto ko po yung movie…sana sumikat pa po ako," smiled BJ.
What makes "Ispiritista" memorable too for the child actor is that he said he felt an eerie presence of a ghost while they were filming. He said that they shot in a haunted house located in Sta. Mesa. While in the set, he would hear a "sitsit" coming from nowhere. He said he just ignored it so he won’t be scared.
(Before "Ispiritista," BJ has starred in a film called "Salamin" which was not geared for public exhibition. He plays two roles, a young boy who sees ghosts and the ghost of young boy.)
"His eyes are expressive," commented Vic. "I know he’ll be a good actor someday…actually I don’t even call him a child actor. He follows the director’s instructions very well like he has been acting for a long time."
Vic added that compared to other child actors or actresses he has worked with, BJ never had a bad attitude on the set or during shooting.
There was one occasion though when BJ felt sleepy. And it was not even his fault. The director asked him to shower first before his scene which BJ said was a bad idea. After showering, he complained to his mother that he was sleepy and with "low battery." But after 15 minutes with his mom, BJ, shared Vic was raring to go again. His professionalism at an early age is commended well by Vic.
Vic had BJ in mind from the start when "Ispiritista" was still in the drawing boards of ATP Films and Regal Entertainment because he reminded him of his childhood. Their only difference is that Vic was fatter.
As for BJ, though "Ispiritista" is his first movie, he explained that the public school he went to before gave him confidence.
"Nakuha ko po yung tapang ko sa school. Dati kasi sa public ako nag-aaral. Magulo po kasi doon sa school namin. Minsan lang po ako napaaway kasi merong siga sa school namin," BJ said with his charismatic smile.
But BJ stressed that he doesn’t get into fights anymore in his new school since fighting is not allowed there. He is also now concerned of his rising stature as an actor.
"Pero pag sobra na yung pang-aaway ng siga sa akin, lalaban siyempre ako," he warned. "Pero bawal magulo sa school ko ngayon."
From his earnings, BJ has purchased a new vehicle, a new dining set, a new sala set and a new set for their house. Of course he also has a Portable Play Station which he plays during breaks in their shooting, and getting beaten by Bosing in a car race game. His next goal is to buy a house and lot! Is he doing all these things for his parents?
"Hindi po," he coyly replied. "Para sa akin!"
BJ’s mom explained that she taught him that. He told him that they are not his responsibility and whatever he likes, he can do it!
