Arzen Rose Dulzura

EXCLUSIVE: Nico Antonio shares why he has no problem playing gay roles: ‘Work is work’

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>Having played numerous gay roles onscreen in the past, Nico Antonio admits he is already used to people assuming that he is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. </p><p>He first got cast in the closeted role as Rain in the 2010 ABS-CBN series <em>M3: Malay Mo Ma-develop</em> which starred Aga Muhlach and Ai Ai Delas Alas. He also played a a gay beautician named Dharna/Panfilo Macaspac, Jr. in the film <em>Big Night!</em> as well as another gay character in the indie film <em>Ang Laro ng Buhay ni Juan</em>. In 2022, he played a character in a complicated gay relationship in the ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Made For YouTube offering, <em>Love Bites</em>. </p><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-30" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLLpZ6zBgFR/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A30%2C%22os%22%3A17512422.199999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="719" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-30" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-28" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCso__-SHFE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A28%2C%22os%22%3A17494253.699999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-28" 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><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-26" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DCQzX2Cy_wL/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A26%2C%22os%22%3A17474731.899999976%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-26" 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><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/sky-is-torn-between-two-lovers-in-love-bites-he-must-choose-18237"><strong><u>READ: Sky is torn between two lovers in Love Bites: “He Must Choose”</u></strong></a></div><p>In an exclusive interview with <strong><em>PUSH ABS-CBN</em></strong>, Nico shared why he doesn’t mind being mistaken as not being heterosexual because his acting has been so convincing. </p><p>“Oo nga, marami nga nagsasabi sa akin na akala nila ganun ako. Sabi ko hindi (laughs). Ano lang, just be natural, just be to true to yourself. At saka huwag mong lolokohin. Kung ano ‘yung nakikita mo sa kapwa mo, ganun lang. Tapos huwag ka masyadong maging conscious,” he advised.  “Yun yung pinaka-importante as an actor, huwag kang conscious sa itsura mo. Basta kung ano yung naramdaman mo, ‘yun ‘yung ilabas mo.“</p><p>”Mag-re-reflect ‘yun sa screen eh. Makikita ‘yun sa screen kasi ‘yung mga details makikita kaagad eh,” he explained. </p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-24" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIBfqJnyeYW/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A24%2C%22os%22%3A17426972.300000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-24" 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><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/2022/10/8/fresh-scoops/nico-antonio-proud-to-do-lgbtq-roles-nakaka-i-202948"><strong><u>READ: Nico Antonio is proud to do LGBTQ roles: ‘Nakaka-inspire siya ng mga taong walang voice’</u></strong></a></div><p>Nico shared with<strong><em> PUSH ABS-CBN</em></strong> one of the things he discovered while playing a transgender that he would not have otherwise experienced in real life. </p><p>“Ang babaw nito, pero I played a transgender sa <em>Here Comes The Groom </em>and I was made to wear heels. Grabe pala, ang hirap mag-heels! (laughs) Sabi ko, grabe, saludo talaga ako sa mga kayang bumalandra ng naka-heels kasi ang hirap. Hindi ko in-expect na ang hirap niya. Kasi nga parang lagi kang on your toes kasi nga puwede kang matapilok or something,” he shared. </p><p>He also took the opportunity to salute those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. </p><p>“And at the same time, siyempre ‘yung mga brothers and sisters natin from the community, respect to them. They’re still fighting their way in society kahit na some would say that they are already accepted, but in reality it’s still not. So continue the good fight,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/3/2/exclusive-nico-antonio-admits-challenge-in-playing-a-macho-dancer-in-new-film-1921"><strong><u>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Nico Antonio admits challenge in playing a macho dancer in new film</u></strong></a></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-22" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLCwBToyy2J/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A22%2C%22os%22%3A17362505.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-22" 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><p>Currently part of the cast of the new drama series <em>Sins of the Father</em> where he will be playing the role of a lawyer, Nico shared why he will always be open to accepting LGBTQIA+ roles. “Wala, walang problema sa akin. Work is work!”</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-20" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKy6Yh_yOVc/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A20%2C%22os%22%3A17340955.600000024%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="889" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-20" 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><p>Nico first got into showbiz in 2010 where he was launched as a member of the now defunct singing group VOIZboys where he was joined by Guji Lorenzana, Tom Rodriguez, and Jay-R Siaboc. Nico is married to his non-showbiz wife Angel Garces. The couple have two sons, Josiah and Jacob. </p>

<p>The Sins of the Father actor Nico Antonio revealed one of his biggest learnings from playing various LGBTQIA roles onscreen through the years.</p>

The Sins of the Father actor Nico Antonio revealed one of his biggest learnings from playing various LGBTQIA roles onscreen through the years.