Franco Daza was just a student in Canada before he decided to pursue a modeling and acting career in the Philippines. In an interview with ABS-CBN.com, Franco shared that while staying in Vancouver, he auditioned for a part in the film New Moon, the second installment in the Twilight Saga starring Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. “There was a casting call and so ang daming tao six in the morning pa lang. Pumila ako, I got in, I made it to the first call. They called me again, and they handed me a script, and so I auditioned. After that they called me again for the screen test.”

However, the production had one strict rule that killed Franco’s dream of starring in a Hollywood movie. “I wasn’t allowed na because they need someone who has a blood of a Native American. I was supposed to play the role of one of the werewolves. E for the New Moon they really want actors who have Native American blood to play the part. Sabi pa naman nila na they really want to get me, it’s just that I don’t have a Native American blood.”

But that did not stop Franco from aspiring to be an actor. He returned to Manila in 2009 and got modeling stints, and was later recruited as a Star Magic talent. As the son of famous TV chef Sandy Daza, Franco is often mistaken by many to have inherited his father’s skill, which Franco said is not true. “Ever since I was a kid ang lagi ko na lang nakikita was my dad cooking so growing up I though I want to do other things. My lola also cooks, my tita rin. When people assume that I’m a good cook because my dad is Sandy Daza, I tell them, ‘Hanggang cereal at rice lang po ako!’ Ha ha ha! But I can also cook pasta.”

That’s why instead of attending culinary school, Franco pursued acting, landing a role in Gimik 2010 as the guy who broke Jessy Mendiola’s heart. The character may be deemed a kontrabida, but Franco said he doesn’t mind taking on a villain role. “I’m very happy with my role. I dream of bringing back the glory days of Eddie Garcia, FPJ, Robin Padilla. Ngayon kasi parang puro na teen love teams, pakilig. I miss the old school action movies and I think doing this role in Gimik is the first step. First impression lasts kasi so now I want people to see ‘yung ‘angas’ factor in me when I do bad boy roles. Si Coco Martin pinanood ko siya sa Tayong Dalawa and he was so good.”

Catch Franco and the original barkada in Gimik 2010 every Sunday afternoon following ASAP XV.