Apart from being seen regularly in the top primetime series FPJ's Batang Quiapo, actor Ivan Carapiet said he is excited for audiences to finally see him in a different kind of role in Pocket Media Productions newest project That Kind of Love. The movie stars David Licauco and Barbie Forteza.

“I’m a good boy here. That’s why I want you guys to watch it so you’ll see who I really am here. So I didn’t have to act here. I’m a very jolly person in real life. I’m just laughing all the time,” he told PUSH in an exclusive interview. 

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Prior to joining showbiz, Ivan was known as an athlete involved in various sports. 

“Before I started acting, I was a professional race car driver. Then there were money issues tapos tumigil ako. Right now I coach racing. I don’t race anymore but I coach racing. Sports is just a lifestyle na lang. The triathlon kind of burnt me out eh. I had to actually stop acting because I was doing pro triathlon and I was in Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin with Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson and I got sick. It was too much for my liver, yung puyat. So I had to make a decision and let it go.

"I was always asked to try the workshops at ABS-CBN but I never took it seriously. Then I wanted to give it a go because I was young. They took me in ABS-CBN. I did the workshops for about three to six months and I kind of liked it and there. I did Juan dela Cruz 11 years ago and I never stopped. Every year there was something offered from ABS-CBN. Always. I’m actually grateful that they give me these good roles because I was put there and I accepted being a kontrabida because it’s very hard. Hindi siya madali. Not everybody can do it. So I’m embraced it naman. I was just typecasted there because I don’t look like the boy next door,” he admitted. 

READ: David Licauco reveals wish to star in Star Cinema film: ‘Yun yung dream ko!’

Playing the role of Diego in Batang Quiapo  is also a big blessing for Ivan who was happy to be reunited with Coco Martin whom he first worked with in the 2013 superhero series Juan dela Cruz.

“I’ve been there for a year and a half now. My role is I used to be the best friend and bodyguard of RK Bagatsing and then pinatay siya tapos ako natira. I went to his mom Irma Adlawan. So I’m lucky that I stayed on as part of the show. Okay yung Tagalog ko, mabilisan (laughs). It’s hard. It’s biglaan there. You always have to be prepared. If you’re not fast, they’re going to get disappointed. Everybody has to be fast there, everybody has to bring something to the table. If you don’t bring anything to the table, baka you won’t be able to stay.

"Kuya Coco knows what’s up. He doesn’t waste time which I like. He’s firm. What I learned from him is you really have to be professional. When you get to the set, you have to be ready and when you leave, until you leave, you stay professional. I love being part of a show which gave me the opportunity to work with all the top dogs, to act beside them, and to bring something to the table,” he said. 

Looking back on his career, Ivan credited Batang Quiapo  star and director Coco Martin for supporting him on and off camera even during the early days of his career when he couldn’t speak Tagalog fluently.

“Nung Juan dela Cruz, tinuturuan pa ako ni Coco Martin mag-Tagalog. Kaya Coco is a nice guy. I love that guy. Before, he used to take one hour a day just to read with me because I really didn’t know how to. Nahasa na lang from Juan dela Cruz to Nathaniel to the next project and the next. Parang akong tanga (laughs). Everybody has to learn. And if you want to stay in this industry, you got to learn Tagalog kasi nasa Pilipnas tayo,” he added. 

When it comes to acting, Ivan said he wants to branch out to doing drama, which started last year he was able to do Maalaala Mo Kaya.

“I would love to get the chance to work with John Lloyd Cruz. I’ve worked with Piolo Pascual na. I’d love to work with Maricel Soriano, ganung levels. Gusto ko mga iyakan. I’m prepared for that. It’s just that I’m not yet given the opportunity. I did MMK with Lotlot de Leon last year or a year and a half ago. I was crying in my scenes there and I loved it. It was draining but I still loved it. I’d really love to do drama.

"I’d love to be with a woman and be able to showcase love and heartbreak on screen. I’d really love to do that.  In reality, all my stuff is action. In almost all the telenovelas I’ve done, I’m almost always the bad guy. Pero okay lang, I do a good job at it, sana (laughs),” he admitted.

Ivan said he is also inspired by his idols in Hollywood like Robert de Niro, Brad Pitt, and Al Pacino while locally, he looks up to actors and directors like Jake Cuenca, Gerald Anderson, and Lav Diaz.

That Kind of Love stars David Licauco, Barbie Forteza, Al Tantay, Arlene Muhlach, Kaila Estrada, Divine Aucina, and Jef Gaitan. The film is directed by Catherine O. Camarillo and written by Ellis Catrina. It opens in cinemas nationwide on July 10. Produced by Pocket Media Productions Inc. and distributed by Regal Entertainment.