Kristoffer Martin has no problem airing his thoughts when asked to assess his career in show business nearly a decade after he started.
Kristoffer Martin
"Alam ko pong napag-iiwanan na ako (ng ibang mga artista)," he said. "Aminado naman po ako. Napabayaan ko rin kasi, hinahayaan ko lang din kasi."
There, there, it might be a harsh reading, even self-depracating. Kristoffer, after all, remains one of GMA's phoenixes just waiting on the wings to take his place among the hottest and the brightest.
And with his reinvigorated drive to stand out, the 23-year-old promises to change himself for the better so the universe would conspire for him.
Asked why he has decided to re-build himself, Kristoffer said, "Natauhan na ako kasi patanda na ako ng patanda pero parang hindi ko pa rin na me-meet 'yung gusto ko," he explained. "Kumbaga wala pa rin ako du'n (sa naabot ng mga kasabayan ko), sobrang layo ko pa po du'n."
On re-branding himself, Kristoffer has been going to the gym regularly. He has also been undergoing workshop with New York-based acting coach Anthony Vincent Bova, a protégé of famed acting coach Eric Morris.
"Mas nabuhay 'yung fire sa akin na tumanggap ng mas edgy role kasi du'n kay Anthony hindi pwedeng 'Ito ka lang'---you have to be bigger," he said.
He loves it that there is no identical exercise per person in training.
"Kasi alam niya kung anong kailangan mo, kung saan ka kulang. Kaya hindi ito 'yung exercise sa isang tao eh exercise din ng lahat," he shared. "Sobrang galing ng 'pag blueprint niya sa tao."
Given the chance, he wants to sink his teeth into a meaty antagonist role.
"Hindi ko kasi nakukuha 'yung magandang roles. Siguro kasi may mali rin sa akin so kailangan kong i-reinvent ang sarili ko para ibigay 'yung gusto kong role," he said. "Kumbaga titingnan ko kung kaya ko ba o hindi. Minsan gusto ko talagang sinasagad 'yung sarili ko sa mga bagay-bagay."
He shared that among the roles he has done, the one on "Magpakailanman: Mag-Ama Sa Bilangguan" is his favorite.
"Iba rin 'yung hugot nu'ng character ko du'n. Medyo bad boy, bad side pero may soft side din. Isa talaga 'yun sa mga role na masarap gawin," he said.
Right where he belongs
Has it ever crossed his mind to, shall we say, change allegiance, we asked.
"Inalaagaan naman ako ng GMA. Sobrang supportive nila sa mga decisions ko in life. Nandiyan lagi sila at hindi ako nawawalan ng trabaho. Wala naman kulang sa kanila, kumbaga nasa akin talaga," he said.
Having been a Kapuso for eight years now, Kristoffer is entering the music scene, his first love. Remember, this guy started his career when he joined the reality-variety show "Little Big Superstar."
"Iniikot ko na po lahat kasi hindi po ako masyado napapansin. Now 'yung fire ko to prove myself, gusto ko namang mapansin ako," he divulged.
Of course GMA is ever supportive. In fact, Kristoffer was given the chance to have his new single “Paulit-Ulit” used as official theme song of the local adaptation of Korean drama "Fight For My Way."
Kristoffer is admittedly getting cold feet.
"Kasi hindi po ako nag undergo sa singing lesson, wala talaga akong baon. Ang tanging baon ko lang 'yung vocalization na nakita ko sa YouTube, ‘yung lip rolling," he said. "'Yung huling voice lesson ko ay 'yung 'Little Big Superstar' kasi hindi ko naman alam na papasukin ko 'tong music industry."
He hopes his skills in playing musical instruments as guitar and drums will be a big advantage for him. Kristoffer also writes songs.