Thou Reyes is okay playing gay in I Love Betty La Fea

By: Rachelle Siazon
Source: www.abs-cbn.com

Apart from the impressive lead stars of I Love Betty La Fea, Thou Reyes’s snappy gay role is also one of the big surprises that people should look out for in this drama-comedy series. Even the audience at the sneak preview of the series was easily caught up with his funny and catty portrayal of Hugo, the creative mind behind Eco Moda Manila.


“At first nung nag-audition ako then nung inoffer sa ‘kin yung role, I said yes, pero ngayon lang nag-sink in na pwede nga sila mag-isip especially those people na hindi masyado ako kilala, they might think that I’m really gay,” he exclaims. Although his sexuality has often been questioned ever since he took on the role, Thou takes it as a compliment to his ability as a character actor. “I’m not the type of person who's defensive na, ‘Hey, I’m not gay. Ang iniisip ko na lang nandito ako as a professional actor at yun ang importante sa akin. It’s being mature enough to accept everything and for you to isolate yourself from your job and from your character,” he stresses.

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Truth be told, the hardest part of being Hugo for Thou is working closely with his longtime crush, Ruffa Gutierrez. Dun sa first scene namin together kailangan close kami. Kinakalabit ko siya, kinukulit ko siya… Sabi ko, ‘This is it. ‘Pag nahiya ako magte-take two, take three. So I might as well do my job.’ Tapos nagpakilala ako sa kanya [and I discovered for myself that] she’s very accommodating, sobrang bait. Iba yung aura niya pang-beauty queen talaga,” he gushes. Despite his initial discomfort, the awestruck actor is relieved that is able to deliver in front of Ruffa (who plays Daniella). “So far so good. Maayos lahat, nagdya-jive kami pati sa mga hirit,” he beams.

Apparently, the characters Hugo and Daniella are sort of co-conspirators in making Betty’s life a living hell since they both hate ugly people. “Patricia (Wendy Valdez) and Daniella are also friends here. Pero ang tingin niya kay Patricia, assistant lang. Kami kasi magka-level kaya iba yung lokohan namin. Kumbaga kung may mali sa kanya, masasabi ko sa kanya without thinking twice,” he shares.

Thou is really serious about enhancing his performance in I Love Betty La Fea by researching tasteful gay films and by experimenting on his adlibs. As it happened, he has come to appreciate his character more, knowing that a lot of good actors have actually auditioned for the same role. “Nakatulong yung sinabi ni kuya Vhong (Navarro) na, ‘Thou, intindihin mo na inibigay sa ’yo yung role mo dahil may nakita silang something sa ’yo. Kaya yun lagi ang ipapasok mo sa isip mo. na nasa sa ‘yo yan, nasa loob mo yang pwede mong ibigay sa amin.’ Sabi ko nga, hindi pa rin magsink in sa ‘kin yun. Pero walang space for yabang eh. I’m putting my attention sa work ko na mas maging maganda at mas makulay yung character ko,” he remarks.

No doubt about it, viewers will certainly enjoy the quirks of his hilarious character in I Love Betty La Fea. “I’ll see to it na I’ll be putting everything here. Makikita ng lahat na hindi lang basta mataray si Hugo, meron din siyang puso,” he concludes.

I Love Betty La Fea premieres this Monday, September 8, on Primetime Bida.

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