From doing a slew of teenybopper and supporting roles in the past, Martin Del Rosario is now stepping up to leading man status via the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin. This drama which boasts of a stellar cast that includes Lorna Tolentino, John Estrada, Amy Austria-Ventura, and Tonton Gutierrez, Martin will play a young soldier who will compete with Coco Martin not only for the honor in the army, but also for the heart of Andi Eigenmann.During the red carpet screening of the pilot week of Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, Martin told reporters that he considers his role in the teleserye as the most serious and most challenging he has done so far. The rigorous boot camp training coupled with dramatic scenes pushed him to employ an acting method he had never tried before. In Martin’s own words, “Ito ‘yung pinakaseryoso kong role. I’m flattered and proud na dito ako talaga malo-launch. Nung una akong nasabihan na magiging part ako ng project na ‘to, nagulat ako kasi feeling ko napakaswerte ko. Bago lang akong artista pero parang because of Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, malo-launch na ako as an actor. At makakasama ko pa ‘yung mga magagaling na artista.”
Martin’s past projects include Abt Ur Luv, Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos? (where he played the younger brother of Roxanne Guinoo), Your Song presents Boystown (as kontrabida to the Gigger Boys), Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? and a handful of Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes. In a separate interview with Push.com.ph during the red-carpet screening Martin said that he never felt envious seeing his friends Enchong Dee, Empress, and AJ Perez getting lead roles one after the other. “Feeling ko tama lang ang dating ng project na ‘to. Dati bata pa talaga ako so ‘yung hitsura ko hindi pa bagay for mature roles. Kaya ang karamihan ng roles ko dati, ako ‘yung younger brother, lagi akong may ate. Ang daming ko nang artistang naging ate,” he laughed as he looked back on his past roles.
The 18 year-old added that though he may have waited for a few years to be given a big break, there was never a time that he doubted ABS-CBN’s plan for his career. “Never akong nag-doubt. Dati rin kasi aside from acting ang priority ko talaga is school. If ever wala akong show I’m busy with my studies. Actually hindi naman talaga tumigil ‘yung dating ng projects. Madalas na may MMK. I’m [in] first year college now and so far napapagsabay ko naman ang school and showbiz.”
With his role in Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, people are predicting that Martin will have a rising career in the same way that Coco crossed over from independent films to mainstream TV via the 2009 teleserye Tayong Dalawa. “Natutuwa sa ABS-CBN at sa Star Magic kasi ipa-package na ako, gaya nga ng sabi niyo parang si Coco Martin. Alam naman natin na sobrang galing niyang aktor. Hindi pa ako artista noon, napapansin ko na sa mga indie movies niya na magaling talaga siya at matatawag kong idol ko. I’m flattered.”
