KYCH Minemoto gets his biggest break playing the male lead in Mac Alejandre’s unusual love triangle story, “May-December-January”. He plays Mikoy, the straight guy who becomes the object of affection of Andrea del Rosario and her son, Gold Aceron, who happens to be Mikoy’s best friend who he doesn’t know is gay.

He says the good break he’s getting now is the result of a lot of hard work. “I’m now 24 and I started in Gantimpala Theatre when I was only 12. I was just part of the ensemble and never played a lead role. I also took workshops sa PETA and Tanghalang Pilipino. Then I was referred to Director Chito Rono kasi naghahanap daw ng bata to play the role of Brian in ‘Badil’ in 2013. I go to do two films with him, ‘Badil’ and ‘Feng Shui 2’ in 2014, also ‘Block Z’ and ‘Dead Kids’ for Direk Mikhail Red.”

In between acting assignments, he also did odd jobs. “Naging DJ ako, tour guide, photographer. I was working and earning but I realized I really love acting and I decided to focus on it. Ideafirst Company then got me to do a movie with them, ‘Kalel’. Then they asked me to play a gay role in ‘Game Boys’ and my character as Achilles clicked at nagtuluy-tuloy na. I was included in ‘Game Boys 2’, its movie version and the spin off, ‘Pearl Next Door’. I also did a movie with them, ‘Pa-Thirsty’. And now, I play a lead role.”

A lot of people are asking about his real gender. So for the record, is he gay or straight?

“This time, ayoko na lang po sagutin if I’m straight or not. I think, it’s not important. Feeling ko, 2022 na, i-normalize na lang natin kung ano ang sexuality ng bawat isa. Kung ano iyan, alright, so be it. If hindi, so be it, kasi parang nakakapagod din na lagi po akong tinatanong ng ganyan. And ang feeling ko, hindi naman nakakaapekto ng kahit ano kung makasagot man ako o hindi. I’m an actor so kahit ano naman po ang ibigay sa akin na role, as long as kaya ko siyang gampanan, kaya ko siyang gawin. For me, it’s just a job.”

In “May-December-January”, he fell in love with an older woman. Would that happen to him in real life? “It already did. May tao kasi na enjoy kapag mas may natutuhan sila sa older na kapartner nila. Iba rin ang nabibigay na impact ng someone you look up to sa buhay mo. Mas malaki ang pang-unawa nila, so it’s understandable na ma-in love with someone older than you.”

How did he prepare for his role as Mikoy? “I had to prepare mentally, emotional and physically. My role is simple and yet complicated, as Mikoy has to show his connection niya sa ina and also doon sa anak, so mas kailangan mo talagang intindihin ang script written by a national artist, Ricky Lee. Nag-work out din ako, kasi we have to show some skin in the bed scenes.”

How is it acting with Andrea del Rosario? “Ms. Andrea is amazing. Sobrang thankful ako to work with her in this film. She brings a lot of food on the set and she made me feel relaxed sa love scene namin. I really learned a lot from her on cam and off cam as she also gives valuable advice about life.”

How about working with Gold Aceron? “It helps na sobrang close kami ni Gold kasi we’ve worked together before. He stays at our home sometimes and we watch movies together. Sobrang sayang nakatrabaho ko si Gold. It’s so nice na you get to work with yung kaibigan mo na parang kapatid mo na. I’m so proud na siyang kasama ko rito dahil napakagaling na aktor ni Gold. ‘Yung trailer ng movie namin, nag-boom talaga on line. Millions have watched it.”

How about Direk Mac? “It’s a blessing to work with him kasi he’s very patient. Kapag pag tinanong mo, sumasagot talaga. He treated us with care. Na-appreciate ko ‘yung pag-alaga niya sa amin when we are doing such intimate scenes. Very artistic ang pagkakuha niya, napakaganda ng blocking.”

He considers the film a big blessing. “When i was hired for this project, I’m at this point in my life na ang mga pinag-hirapan ko before, the universe is aligning at bumabalik sa’kin. Up to now hindi ako makapaniwala sa blessings na ibinibigay sakin. I hope this film will show my versatility as an actor, kasi before, I’ve played effeminate roles, so ito, iba naman. Ako kasi, gusto kong lumayo sa bawat character na nagawa ko na. Sa buhay, we need to explore a lot more para malaman ng tao na kaya ko palang umarte ng iba-ibang role. After this, sana, tama na muna ang gay movies.

Pero ayoko ring magsalita ng tapos, kasi baka may magandang script na dumating, so why not? But I really want to be a character actor na puedeng magpalit-palit ng hitsura na malayo sa previous projects ko. I’m now in a new GMA series, ‘Unica Hija’, with Kate Valdez.”
Don’t miss “May-December-January” when it opens in theaters nationwide on October 12.