A perky Matt Evans strode inside Moomba in Quezon City where a press conference for “Love Online” happened recently. Part of a cast led by the next Comedy King Vic Sotto and famous Thai actress/model Paula Taylor, Matt made sure he greeted everyone before he sat down with the Manila Bulletin for an interview.

His usual radiant and unassuming boyish charm in full bloom, Matt would later confess to a part of himself that remains broken. In a matter of minutes, Matt is disarmed as the topic switched from “Love Online” to his pursuit of US citizenship and meeting his American father.

Back in his “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) teen edition days, it has been talked about how this fresh face never knew his father, an American soldier who left his mother even before he was born. Matt hoped joining PBB would bridge him to a missing piece of his life he simply could not let go.

“Kapag na-meet ko na siya [his father], doon ko lang masasabi na buo na ang pagkatao ko,” Matt disclosed to the Bulletin.

His hopes are up since he is closer to securing American citizenship. Matt was recently in the US where he met a consul who helped him realize his dream further. “Pinapabalik na po ako sa embassy to sign some papers para mai-process na yung US citizenship ko. Recently lang po nagkaron ako ng malaking pag-asa kasi, in-approach ako ng consul niya para maiayos kasi alam nila yung story ko at alam nila na yun daw talaga yung isa sa mga abuse committed by some Americans, yung magkakaanak sila tapos iiwanan nila.”

Matt is hoping the documents he has proving that he is the son of one Thalmage Evans will be enough to take him face to face with his father. Yung ibang documents kasi nawala pero may mga papeles pa na ok, yun yung inaayos.”

He shared of this journey, “Tinanong nila [people from the embassy] ako kung ilang taon na ako. I’m now 20, turning 21 on October. Mas madali daw pag di ako umabot ng 21 years old. Pag umabot ng October, mahihirapan na ako ayusin ito.”

During his PBB days, the production team of the reality show tried to locate his father. “They found three persons going by the name of Thalmage Evans. Process of elimination na at we’re only down to one na sa tingin ko siya talaga yung tatay ko… malamang siya yun. Nahihirapan kami kasi wala talagang contact sa kanya. Pag nandun na ako sa US, hahanapin ko siya but I really can’t stay long din be cause of work which I have here.”

Matt is not sure how much his father knows of his existence. “Hindi ko nga alam kung aware siya eh… nawala din po kasi. Meron po silang picture together ng nanay ko, picture ko nung baby pa ako… I have to establish lang na anak niya talaga ako.”

The actor opened up further, “Ako siyempre parang gusto ko siyang makita kasi alam niya lahat eh… lahat ng mga sagot sa mga tanong ko. Marami akong gustong sabihin sa kanya eh… Gusto ko lang siyang sumbatan. Gusto ko lang siyang kausapin, tanggapin niya na lang. Aminin na lang niya sa sarili niya na anak niya ako, okay na ako dun.”

He does not discount the possibility that all his work would go to waste. “Alam ko na malamang may pamilya na yun, may mga anak na yun pero ako yung first.”

ON ‘LOVE ONLINE’  and VIC SOTTO

On a lighter note, Matt said he was star struck when he first met Vic Sotto for “Love Online.”

“I felt like a fan. Tapos pag nasa shooting kayo parang hindi mo nararamdaman ang pressure. Yung parang naglalaro lang kayo.”

After a while, Matt had to adjust from getting star-struck. “Nakapag adjust naman din po ako agad kasi si bosing sobrang approachable at kuwela din po siya talagang kasama eh.”

When made to comment about people saying he resembles Vic, Matt simply said, “Mas guwapo po si bosing.”

The young actor just took the opportunity to learn from the comic superstar. “Sobrang dami kong natutunan sa kanya, yung mga reactions, nuances niya inaral ko talaga kasi magaling talaga eh.”

Apart from Vic, Paula and Matt, “Love Online” also stars Melissa Ricks, Manilyn Reynes, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Richie D’Horsey, and Gina Pareño.