MANILA — Yce Navarro, the son of Vhong Navarro and Bianca Lapus, is one of the new additions to the primetime action series "FPJ’s Batang Quiapo." He will play the sidekick of Elijah Canlas’ character. 

Yce admitted that he never auditioned or attended a go-see or even applied to be part of the series. One day, he just got the news from his dad and even thought that he was pulling a prank on him. 

“Ako po saka sina Ara Davao and Renz Fernandez ay anak po ng mga artista, 'yun lang po yung iniisip ko why kinuha ako ni Direk Coco (Martin). Kasi one day lang po, nag-co-computer lang ako, tapos pumasok dad ko, at sinabi, ‘Yce, nasa ‘Batang Quiapo’ ka,” he said.

But he added that Martin might have seen his performance at the Star Magic workshop recital. 

“Feeling ko nakita po ako ni Direk Coco 'yung acting ko before. Kasi nag-Star Magic Workshop po ako before, tapos I portrayed his character in ‘Sa’Yo Lamang’ so last scene po kasi namin, para recital po exactly. So feeling ko po nakuha ko dahil doon,” he said.

Yce graduated from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Communication Arts. Since then, he has been doing auditions and trying to make it on his own. 

“I wanted to do this for a long time. Kasi three years ago, four years ago, I’ve been auditioning in other stations to get me, but every time I get rejected. Kaya thankful ako kay Direk Coco for giving me an opportunity,” he said.

He never attempted to ask for any help from his celebrity parents. He didn’t even tell them that he has been going to auditions. 

“Kasi ayoko po talaga, as much as possible, ayoko pong gumamit ng connections. 'Coz I want to make a name for myself. Gusto ko patunayan eh. Acting is my passion talaga,” he said.

“Gusto kong makuha nila ako dahil sa akin,” he stressed. 

Yce admitted that the rejections were difficult to bear, such that he already gave up on his acting dreams. 

“Last year, I started giving up on acting. Sabi ko, kuha na lang ako ng stable job. I have a degree so might as well use it. Masyado na 'kong nasaktan dito sa industriyang ito, so parang itutuloy ko pa rin ba?” he said.

And when all hope was lost for him, the opportunity knocked on his door. 

“I’m grateful na tinuloy ko nga,” he said. 

During this interview, his hands were shaking, noting that it was his first sit-down interview about his very first acting gig. His first-day-highs are on roll but he’s grateful for everything that’s coming his way. 

“First day namin sa set, may halong kaba pero at the same time, I’m doing something that I love. Parang okay na rin!” he said.