Paul Christian Ocampo

Kokoy de Santos talks about growing up with an OFW father: ‘Thanks to social media updated siya!’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>After being part of multiple entries in Metro Manila Film Festival last year, actor Kokoy de Santos returned to the MMFF this year with the Christmas movie entry Rekonek, where he gets to work closely again with good friend Angel Guardian.</p><p>“Technically pangatlo ko na ito kasi last year nagsabay yung <em>Topakk</em> at <em>And the Breadwinner is…</em> so sobra akong thankful. Hindi ko inaasahan actually. Akala ko this year manunuod at susuporta lang ako sa tropa ko at sa mga friends ko sa MMFF, pero na-bless tayo at naging part tayo ng <em>Rekonek,</em>” he told <strong>PUSH ABS-CBN</strong> in an exclusive interview.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-9" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR04OLpj-M4/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A9%2C%22os%22%3A4355146.8%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="905" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-9" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The 27-year-old actor, who got his start in the industry by doing commercials, said he fell in love with acting early.</p><p>“Nagsimula ako umarte, nag-inarte ako actually nung 2009, nagsimula ako sa TV commercials. Tapos yung first ever ko na TV exposure was <em>Dyosa</em> and <em>MMK</em> tapos nun nasundan na siya. Na-realize ko na hindi ko lang gusto ng exposure, hindi ko lang gusto na makilala ako, mas gusto ko yung ginagawa ko na umaarte ako kasi na-e-enjoy ko siya. Kasi ibang tao ako eh. Gustong gusto ko yung pag-umaarte ako, meron akong role, malayo sa karakter ko. So kumukuha ako ng inspiration sa totoong tao, nag-ri-research ako. Yun yung parang challenge sa akin. At the same time, pag may nakakapansin at may na-i-inspire ako, may natutuwa, dun lalong na-fu-fuel ako na parang ah okay,” he explained.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-10" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR1YcHuE8OA/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A10%2C%22os%22%3A4355164%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-10" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2020/11/6/fresh-scoops/kokoy-de-santos-shares-why-he-is-not-afraid-to-be-189527" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>READ: Kokoy de Santos shares why he is not afraid to be typecast in gay roles</strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-11" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrLPk0xJkc6/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A11%2C%22os%22%3A4355178.1%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-11" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>In his journey as an actor, Kokoy made a name for himself doing various offbeat and challenging roles in projects like <em>Fuccbois, Gameboys, How to Die Young in Manila</em>, and <em>Your Mother’s Son</em>, to name a few. Growing up at home, Kokoy explained why even though his father was an OFW, that didn’t stop him from being the most updated about his son’s career in the Philippines.</p><p>“Actually, nauuna pa siya sa nanay ko. Kasi dahil din sa social media. Thanks to social media na updated siya. From time to time, nag-me-message siya ng, ‘Nak, ano yung bagong project mo, ‘Nak?’ Mga ganyan. Siya pa minsan yung nagsasabi kay mommy. Si ermats nasa bahay lang naman yun sa Cavite, pero nauunahan niya pa. Nasaan siyang lupalop ng mundo pero nauuna siya,” he said.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-12" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DRwholhkw7d/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A12%2C%22os%22%3A4356396.7%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="927" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-12" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2020/10/14/fresh-scoops/watch-teaser-for-bl-series-starring-kokoy-de-sant-188903" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>WATCH: Teaser for BL series starring Kokoy de Santos, Alex Diaz released</strong></a></div><p>Despite the distance between them, Kokoy admitted that he still makes sure to inform his parents about the projects being offered to him before he makes any decisions. “Nandun na lang ako parati sa part na ini-explain ko sa kanya kung ano yung proyekto. Madalas kasi before nagpapaalam pa ako. Kahit pa hindi na ako menor kasi gusto ko lang na aware sila sa kung ano yung gagawin kong proyekto, kung may daring ba and all. Ayokong magulat sila,” he admitted. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR4VNvsE1Rc/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A4356425.2%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>When asked if there was ever a time that he shocked his parents with any of his roles, especially during the time when he was doing LGBT projects like <em>Gameboys</em> and <em>Fuccbois, </em>he recalled, “Umabot na po kasi kami sa point na sinu-surprise ko sila (laughs). Hindi nila alam kung ano yung biglang mapapanuod nila. ‘Ay wow, Anak, ang galing mo anak pero hindi mo kami sinabihan sa ginawa mo!’ (laughs)”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DR3u2plE-1b/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A4356434.9%2C%22ls%22%3A278505.5%2C%22le%22%3A278903.1%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="882" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Watch Kokoy de Santos in the 2025 MMFF entry <em>Rekonek </em>which opens in cinemas nationwide starting December 25. The film also stars Gerald Anderson, Carmina Villarroel, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Zoren Legaspi, Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, Alexa Miro, Angel Guardian, and Gloria Diaz. Directed by Jade Castro and produced by Reality MM Studios, and The Th3rd Floor Studios.</p>

<p>'Rekonek' actor Kokoy de Santos shared how he grew up with his father who is an OFW and why he always asks permission from his parents before accepting any role. </p>

'Rekonek' actor Kokoy de Santos shared how he grew up with his father who is an OFW and why he always asks permission from his parents before accepting any role.