If you really want to be famous and last in showbiz, you really need a good connection.

This was the advice of award-winning actor Allen Dizon when asked about his tips for aspiring actors, during a simple get-together with select members of the entertainment press to celebrate his 25th year in showbiz, held at the Pandan Asian Cafe in Morato, Quezon City recently.

"Kung gusto mo talagang sumikat at magtagal sa showbiz, kailangan mo talaga ng good connection. Otherwise, if you are on your own, mahihirapan ka talaga, especially sa panahon ngayon. (If you really want to be famous and last in showbiz, you really need a good connection. Otherwise, if you are on your own, you will have a really hard time, especially in this day and age)," Dizon said.

With 48 acting awards and more than 100 films, Dizon said that he is really overwhelmed and honored to receive accolades from showbiz here and abroad.

"Sa ngayon nasa office ko yung mga awards at trophies. Gusto ko sanang magpagawa ng isang room na paglalagyan lahat ng mga award at recognition ko. 'Yun na lang ang kulang sa bahay ko. (Right now the awards and trophies are in my office. I would like to make a room to put all my awards and recognitions. That's the only thing missing from my house)," he said.

Asked to comment on the success of Dizon, producer and talent manager Dennis Evangelista said: "Siguro isa ang mga dahilan kung bakit siya successful sa showbiz career niya is his love for his craft na realize niya kc how blessed he is kaya minahal niya talaga yung God-given talent na meron siya. (Maybe one of the reasons why he is successful in his showbiz career is his love for his craft. He realized how blessed he is so he really loved the God-given talent he has.)

"Another thing with my guidance namili talaga kami ng projects for him. Mga proyektong magbibigay sa kanya ng chance mapakita ang kanyang talento sa pag arte. Hindi siya basta tanggap lang ng tanggap. Tinitingnan muna namin ang script and director plus possible actors na makakasama niya. (Another thing with my guidance, we really choose the right projects for him. Projects that will give him a chance to show his acting talent. We first look at the script and director plus possible actors to work with him.)

"Lastly, iyong professionalism at pagiging mahusay niyang makisama. Well loved sya ng production at mga ka work niya. Happy ako pag sinasabi na ang bait ng alaga mo tahimik lang at napaka humble. (Lastly, his professionalism and being able to get along well. He is well-loved by the production and those he works with. I am happy when people say he's kind, quiet and very humble)," said Evangelista.

Dizon admitted that he was disappointed when his film "Ligalig" failed to make it among the official entries of the 2022 Metro Manila Film Festival.

"Disappointed kami siyempre kasi ginawa namin ang lahat para mapasama sana sa Metro Manila Film Festival. First time namin na magsama ni Ate Guy sa isang pelikula. Pero siguro may reason bakit hindi nakasama ang 'Ligalig' sa MMFF. Baka may mas magandang mangyayari sa pelikulang 'Ligalig.' (We are disappointed of course because we did everything to be included in the Metro Manila Film Festival. It was our first time working with Ate Guy in a movie. But maybe there is a reason why 'Ligalig' was not included in the MMFF. Maybe something better will happen for the movie 'Ligalig')," said Dizon, who plays a policeman in the upcoming horror-suspense movie.

On working with Nora Aunor, Dizon said: “Dream come true sa akin yun kasi first time talaga namin mag-
kasama sa isang project. I’m proud na nakasama ko talaga siya sa pelikulang lalo na hindi na siya masyadong gumagawa ng movies or series. (It’s a dream come true for me because it’s our first time together in a project. I’m proud that I actually got to work with her in a movie, especially since she doesn’t do a lot of movies or series anymore.)

Dizon said that he did not expect to reach 25 years in showbiz. He never dreamt of receiving acting trophies in his career, adding that his main reason to join the entertainment industry was simply to earn money.

"Hindi ko talaga inasahan na magtatagal ako sa showbiz. Tapos dumarami na rin pala ang mga award ko. Sa tutoo lang, kaya ko gustong pumasok sa showbiz ay para kumita ng pera. Gusto ko lang matulungan ang mga kapatid ko at mga magulang ko. Sa palagay ko kasi ito ang paraan para magkaroon ng easy money pero ito na pala yung career na mamahalin ko," he said. "I just realized na the more na tumatanda ako, lalo akong napapamahal dito." (I didn't really expect that I would be in showbiz for a long time. Then my awards are increasing. To be honest, the reason I want to enter showbiz is to earn money. I just want to help my siblings and my parents. I think this is the way to make easy money, but this is the career I will love," he said. "I just realized that the older I get, the more I fall in love with it.)

Dizon also named the actors he hoped to work with in the future. "Si Ate Vi hindi ko pa nakaka-trabaho. Si Christopher de Leon din. Si Sharon (Cuneta) rin hindi ko pa nakakasama sa projects."

When not busy, Dizon said that he focuses on his restaurant business. He also loves cars. As of November this year, he has more than 30 cars. "Umabot pa nga noon ng mga 50 cars pero yung iba binenta ko na rin." (It even reached about 50 cars but I sold the rest.)

At this point, however, Dizon said that he does not wish for dream roles anymore.

"Sa dami ng ginawa kong mahihirap na projects. wala na siguro akong dream roles. Kung ano na lang ang dumating sa akin. (I've done so many difficult projects. Maybe I don't have dream roles anymore. Whatever comes to me)," he said.

When accepting projects, Dizon said that he turns down sexy roles.

"May mga anak rin kasi ako at ayoko na rin magkaroon ng mga body exposures. (Because I also have children and I don't want to have body exposures anymore)," he said.

Asked if he would consider gay roles, Dizon said: "Basta wala lang halikan sa kapwa lalaki. At saka hindi na sa akin bagay yun. Ibigay na lang natin sa mga bata yun." (As long as I don't kiss other men. Besides, that's not my thing anymore. Let's just give it to the younger actors)

Dizon also said that he has been invited to join politics.

"Siguro kung sasabak ako sa politics, gusto ko vice mayor muna. Pero hindi pa rin talaga ako decided. Mnsan kasi kapag pinasok mo ang pulitika, hindi mo alam sino ang kakampi mo or sino ang kaaway mo. Baka mga pinsan or kamag-anak mo maging kaaway mo rin. (Maybe if I get into politics, I want to be vice mayor first. But I'm still not really decided. Because when you enter politics, you don't know who is your ally or who is your enemy. Maybe cousins or relatives become your enemy too)," he said.

Dizon also sent out his personal wish to his fans on his 25h year in the industry.

"Wish ko sana humaba pa ang buhay ko para sa industriya. Yung projects andyan lang yan pero importante talaga ngayon ang health kaya dapat maging fit mentally and physically. Dapat wala kang stress. I play tennis kapag stressed ako. Araw-araw umiinom ako ng beer. Kapag wala akong shooting, nasa bahay lang talaga ako. Sabay-sabay kami kumakain ng family ko." (I wish I could live longer in the industry. Those projects are just there, but health is really important now, so you must be fit mentally and physically. You must not be stressed. I play tennis when I am stressed. Every day I drink beer. When I'm not shooting, I'm just at home. My family and I eat together.)

Born and raised in Oroquieta, Misamis Occidental, Dizon remains one of the busiest Filipino actors. He just wrapped up the Kapuso series "Return to Paradise." In the movies, he already finished "Latay," "Walker," and "Abe-Nida." He is currently shooting "Pamilya sa Dilim" and "Peligro De Oro."

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