Wilbert Ross (Facebook)

Actor Wilbert Ross is enjoying the best of both worlds at the moment - he is passionate about movies and music.

During a media conference for Puregold's online series "Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile" at the World Trade Center in Pasay City last May 18, Ross believes that not all actors are on the same model, but he had a great time as a comedian and singer. These days, given the chance, he admitted he really wanted to be a comedian.

"Sa ngayon naka-focus na lang muna ako sa romantic-comedy and sa pagiging comedian. Marami ang nakakapansin yun ang nakikita nila for me. Pero I'm not closing any doors. Malay natin may ibang magandang projects na dumating at maganda rin ang story. So doon muna ako magpo-focus," the hunk actor said.

(Right now I'm just focused on romantic-comedy (projects) and being a comedian. Many people notice that they see me as a comedian. But I'm not closing any doors. Who knows, there will be other good projects with a good story. So I will focus on that.)

Ross, 25, also said that he's into writing screenplays. In fact, he's trying to finish his third script.

Wilbert Ross and Yukii Takahashi (Facebook)

One of the stars Ross really admires is the Unkabogable star Vice Ganda who he said continues to inspire him to be strong in the industry. Ross met Vice Ganda when he was just starting in showbiz on ABS-CBN.

In 2016, Ross joined the "Tawag Ng Tanghalan" segment of the popular noontime program. He also auditioned for Pinoy Boyband Superstar the same year. and finished in the top 20. In 2017, he became a member of the all-male dance group The Hashtags.

“Sina Vice at ang iba pang It’s Showtime hosts ay may malaking impluwensya kung bakit ako naging komedyante ngayon, lalo na si Kuya Vhong Navarro na nagsabi sa akin na you build your own, na tatatak na ikaw lang, your own personality sa showbiz na ikaw lang ang meron, kung gusto mo mag-succeed," Ross said.

(Vice and the other 'It's Showtime' hosts had a great influence on why I became a comedian today, especially Kuya Vhong Navarro who told me to build my own image that will leave a mark in showbiz if I really wanted to succeed).

Ross said that he hasn't seen Vice Ganda and Navarro for a long time due to his hectic schedule. But he dreams of having a project with Vice Ganda.

The cast of 'Ang Lalaki Sa Likod ng Profile'

“Wala na pong chance eh, hindi na ko kami masyadong nagkikita ngayon. Busy po kami sa kanya-kanyang projects. If ever may gusto ako, ‘yun na mismo, nanay-nanayan ko sya at anak-anakan nya ako. Siya po kasi talaga yung nanay ko dito sa Manila. May mga okasyon na iniimbita ako sa bahay nila like Mother’s Day," Ross also said.

(There's no chance, we don't see each other much now. We are busy with our respective projects. If ever we will appear in a project, it would be like a parent and a child. She's really my mother here in Manila. There are occasions when I am invited to their house like Mother's Day.)

So soon, Ross said that it would be akward to do an intimate scene with Vice Ganda should an offer comes his way.

“Kaming dalawa? Parang ang awkward naman ‘yun. Kasi alam naman ng mga tao na nanay-nayan ko si Meme Vice. Pati siya feeling ko awkward sya sa akin. Mandidiri ‘yun sa akin," the actor said.

Ross and other stars of "Ang Lalaki Sa Likod ng Profile" series dazzled the Tindahan ni Aling Puring Sari-sari Store Negosyo Convention, Puregold’s annual celebration of small business owners across the country last Thursday.

“Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile” is the latest retailtainment offering from the Puregold Channel on YouTube, and came in the wake of “GV Boys” and “Ang Babae sa Likod ng Face Mask”. These online series allow Puregold to reach out to young digital natives looking to connect with classic Filipino stories.

The series revolves around the story of Bryce (Ross), a young gamer taking his first uneasy steps into the world of dating with virtual wingman Angge (Yukii Takahashi) by his side.

Wilbert and Yukii (Facebook)

At the press conference, Ross and Yukii Takahashi conveyed their own musings on the story, and showed how onscreen chemistry can translate into real-time attraction as they charmed the audience. The dashing Wilbert especially impressed attendees with a song number during the intermission.

As expected, the supporting cast of “Ang Lalaki”—Kat Galang (Genski), Migs Almendras (Ketch), Marissa Sanchez (Bessie), Star Orjaliza (Yaya Aimee), Moi Marcampo (Chili Anne), TJ Valderrama (Cyrus), and Anjo Resurreccion (Jerry)—were also around to field questions during the open forum.

Chris Cahilig (Facebook)

Award-winning filmmaker and producer Chris Cahilig said: "May dalawang message kami. Una, from the brand perspective ng Puregold, lagi naming iniisip yung kapakanan ng audience sa panahon na karamihan sa mga tao ngayon ay online and at the same time entertainment has a value. But Puregold has always been committed to providing entertainment at no cost. You can enjoy the series for free.

"It's also an opportunity for Puregold to reach out to younger audiences. Dito sa 'Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile,' it's a story about love and how love will find a way. Si Bryce rito never had a girlfriend in his whole life. So nag-experiment siya hangga't mahanap niya yung true love niya.

"Hindi ito yung common narrative na nagkita ang babae at lalaki and they will live happily ever after. Ang ending nito ay maraming twists. Thirteen episodes siya so nagsisimula na ang mga twists. Normally hindi masyadong nanonood ng first few episodes pero now nag-uumpisa ng mag hit ang mga views. Gusto nila marami na silang napapanood. So now we're expecting the upcoming episodes to peak," said Cahilig.