Brent Manalo Wants Someone Who's Whole On Their Own

What do you think is the meaning of a Cosmo Crush?

Brent: Eye candy? But I guess more than the looks, it's really all about the personality, if they're likable. 

How would you define a crush?

Brent: Someone who makes my heart flutter.

How do you act around your crush? Do you remember who your first crush was?

Brent: I was four, I think, then. Neighbor ko siya. Yung name niya—I think I've shared this before—Mika yung name niya. Tapos, every time we would visit their house, I would hide behind my mom's back. I'm very torpe when it comes to my crushes. 

What's the best way for someone who has a crush on you to get your attention, though? 

Brent: Maybe, ignore me. [laughs] Because the more that you talk to me or acknowledge me, mas hindi ko napapansin. But if you try to ignore me, parang, 'Why isn't she minding me?' That's when I notice.

How do you react when somebody tells you they like you?

Brent: Most of the time, siyempre, if I like them back, I have to be courteous and I acknowledge them. But if I don't like them back, I don't really turn down anyone. I just say na, I'm not looking for anything, or if you're looking for anything serious, it's not the right time for me.

So, if you have mutual feelings, would you take it to the next level and start a relationship?

Brent: 'Di naman relationship. Maybe try dating or... getting to know each other.

What's your ideal date?

Brent: Before, I used to think it had to be really grand—somewhere on the beach. Sometimes, from time to time, you can do that, but for me now, a good date would just be across from each other on a dining table, really get to know each other better. [Have] deep conversations to really find out who they are as a person.

What qualities do you find most attractive in a partner or someone that you would date?
Brent: I would say, physically, someone with smiling eyes. I'm not really particular when it comes to looks. 

Personality-wise, family-oriented [is] number one. I grew up in a huge family, so every time I would date someone also in a huge family, it's just so happy. Especially if they introduce you to the family, and you get to really bond with the family.

What's your take on love right now? 

Brent: I think love has to be decided. It's not something that's fleeting. As long as you always decide to love each other every single day, every moment you wake up, [it will last.]

[Also,] love is very mature. It has to be mature. If it's not mature, I don't think it would last long—or if it would last long, it could be toxic.

Has it always been your dream to enter showbiz? 

Brent: Hindi. I'm very awkward. I'm very shy. I'm very quiet. Sa mga personalities kasi na nakita ko before sa showbiz, usually sila yung hindi nahihiya or sobrang natural when it comes to meeting people or talking to people.

What made you try?

Brent: At first, sabi ko, try lang [mag-audition], wala namang mawawala. Since wala pala akong work noon, mga one week pa lang akong graduate noon eh. And since I was also modeling at the time, there was nothing wrong with trying.

Gulat ako, out of—I think we were 50 auditionees that time—only three of us got accepted. Tapos—same day ha, wala nang call back—pinaiwan na lang kami dun. Tapos workshop ko na next week.

You've been called one of the rising actors today. How do you personally see your journey so far?

Brent: Honestly, I feel really blessed. It's happening so fast for me. I used to think that you'd have to wait years, even decades... So, I would say the trajectory for me is really fast. I'm very lucky. I'm honestly very grateful—especially for the fan support. I don't think I'd be here if it weren't for them.

What do you think people misunderstand about Brent Manalo?

Brent: My quietness. It's often misunderstood. I'm the eldest in the family, and my parents were always abroad. So I had to learn to really handle not only my problems, but also my entire family's problems. I grew up with helpers; of course, you can't run to the helpers. I had my grandma, but I really couldn't tell her my problems. So I had no one.

So I guess my coping mechanism was instead of trying to tell someone my problem, I learned to keep it to myself. That's what made me become this quiet. I became introverted.

And then when I moved to La Salle, I was living alone, and I've been living alone for more than 10 years now. Siyempre, when you're alone, you also like to keep your thoughts to yourself. Di mo naman pwedeng kausapin sarili mo, di ba? [laughs]

You're super busy these days. What does your day off or rest day look like? Do you have any hobbies right now?

Brent: My rest day would be binge-watching with lots of fast food. Homebody ako. If I can, I would spend my day entirely in bed. Yung mga K-drama doon ko napapanood 'pag rest day talaga.

What was the last show you watched before entering Pinoy Big Brother?

Brent: Last ko na pinanood, hmm…

While you're thinking about it, do you have a favorite K-drama?

Brent: Ngayon Queen of Tears yung pinaka-favorite ko. Isa rin sa favorite ko, The Glory. Yung bida, si Song Hye Kyo, ang galing niya eh. Grabe, kasi it's not often seen na gumaganti bida nang ganon eh.

What's a TV series you'd watch over and over again—that's not a K-drama? 

Brent: Siguro F.R.I.E.N.D.S, I've seen that a couple of times. Three times now, and then all 10 seasons. Suits din. I really like Suits. Basta maganda yung plot. I don't mind. Kahit nga mga gory—hindi ako nang mahilig dun—pero pag maganda yung plot, okay ako. Sometimes I also watch Game of Thrones just for the fun of it, and Peaky Blinders sa Netflix. 

What’s a show or movie you'd recommend then?

Brent: Ah! Alam ko na ‘yung last kong pinanood before PBB—Hierarchy. Ang ganda rin. Yung ganoon [show and role] pangarap ko makuha eh. [laughs] For reco, may isa akong movie na pinanood, bago lang. Elio ng Disney.

What would be your ultimate advice to people who are burned out and think they're losing direction in their careers?

Brent: For me, it's very valid. I would still often go through that. But, I guess what makes me go back to my normal self after experiencing burnout is really acknowledging my feelings and making it normal.

When you make it normal, it's not something that would seem so taboo or something that you can't openly talk about. So, talk to your friends. Sometimes, when you also talk to people, [you'll see] they're all going through the same stuff, and that would make you feel better, I guess. Kasi, it's a shared experience, and it's not a you thing.

What's one goal, whether personal or professional, you're working toward this year?

Brent: To do more acting projects—and to really get more validation for it.

You're really going for validation?

Brent: Yeah, siyempre. Sometimes you're not only doing it for yourself, but it's also for your audience. And if you want awards, if the audience you're targeting doesn't like what they're seeing, siyempre, parang nakakalungkot din yun. So, I wanna do it for them, for the Filipino audience.

What would you say to your future self ten years from now?

Brent: I hope you're happy and content. I hope you're living the life you've always wanted. And if not—I just want you to know that no matter where you are right now or what you are doing at this moment, I hope you know that I'm proud of you. And your family and friends are proud of you. You've worked really hard. You've always done your best in everything you do. That's what matters.

If you could speak directly to your fans through this feature, what message would you want to share with them?
Brent: I'm forever gonna be grateful to you guys. I hope you know that everything I'm doing right now, you're a huge reason why I'm working so hard. And I hope you guys would stay put and stay tuned for what's to come because there are a lot of things waiting. I hope every project that you see me in, you're only gonna be beaming with pride. I love you guys.

How do you plan to evolve as an artist or as an actor so your name continues to shine through the years?

Brent: I just wanna be multifaceted. I wanna do everything I can as long as I know I won't be half-hearted or it would be half-baked. I wanna give it my all in everything that I do. I don't wanna focus on just one thing. If possible, I wanna balance myself acting, me performing, and me in the fashion industry—more to come, really. I wish I could tell you.