wenty-year-old actor-turned musician Carlo Aquino is one of the young celebrities romantically linked to actress Maja Salvador, one of ABS-CBN's more popular young stars today.

He is also very vocal of his intentions to the popular actress. Unfortunately, though there have been many Maja-Carlo sightings, he said that until now, they just remain to be friends.

"Tuloy-tuloy pa rin po ang panliligaw. Hindi pa po kami on ni Maja Salvador. Hindi ko po alam kung bakit matagal pero okay lang po kasi lumalabas-labas kami tapos meron siyang trabaho tapos ngayon naman nagkaroon ako ng gagawin. Hindi naman ako naiinip manligaw," he explained.

He is not even putting a deadline on his courtship, stating that he wouldn't mind if Maja doesn't answer him yet. If his courtship fails, if he gets a negative answer, he said that he couldn't do anything about it. What is important for him is that their friendship would remain.

With regards to what is keeping him busy nowadays, it is the remake of Lino Brocka's "Maging Akin Ka Lamang" which has been turned into an afternoon-TV-series on GMA 7. He was cast to play a rich businessman, Ernie Balboa, the role of the late Jay Ilagan in the said movie.

In the series, he would fall in love with a wealthy woman, Rosita Monteverde, played by Isabel Oli. Unfortunately, Rosita would just use Ernie to get closer to the real person she is in love with — Andy Abrigo played by Polo Ravales. While Andy is head over heels with Elsa Paruel portrayed by Nadine Samonte.

Carlo shared that living up to his character in Lino Brocka's movie is not only challenging but it also pressures him as an actor. He knows that he has to be at par with the late Jay Ilagan, one of local showbiz's respected actors in his time.

"Bago po kami mag-start mag-taping pinapanuod sa amin yung original film. Ginaya ko po kung paano gumalaw si Tito Jay Ilagan, kung umuupo siya at kumu-kuyakoy," smiled Carlo.

Another challenge for him is fitting into his character's age in the series. Carlo is one of the few actors we have blessed with a baby-face look and judging from his character's profession, Ernie would be 10 years older than him. He is also deemed very young for Isabel Oli.

"Matagal na pong ganito ang mukha," laughed Carlo. "Problem din po ang mukhang bata sa pagkuha ng mature na role. Pero kapag nasa TV na po iba na po kasi akong kumilos plus may salamin ako, tapos one sided yung buhok, and very corporate kasi si Ernie."

In the series, Carlo won't just have a kissing scene but he will also rape Isabel's character in "Maging Akin Ka Lamang." To date, this would be his second rape scene. It can be remembered that he also had a rape scene in the series entitled "Sinasamba Kita."

"Hindi naman siya violent na rape scene. Sobrang mahal ko si Rosita dito pero nararamdaman ko na ginagamit lang niya ako para mas mapalapit kay Polo so nagalit na ako. Pero I raped her kasi mahal ko po siya," described Carlo.

He added that it was the first time he worked with Isabel Oli and Polo Ravales. "Okay po sila, mababait at madaling katrabaho."

At the moment, Carlo Aquino is busy with his band Collide, their gigs and in promoting their album's single entitled "Alaala."

He is also in the indie movie of Ato Bautista entitled "Carnivore" wherein he plays a "probinsyano" who went and lived in Manila only to be swallowed by the city's pollution.

"Masarap po kasi sa indie kung ano ang gusto mong gawin tapos nagcompromise kayo ng director with the producer so masarap umarte..madaling kausap at mahusay na director din po si Ato Bautista...mas expressive ako sa indie films and unlike sa mainstream na susundin mo talaga ang gusto ng producer. Minsan kasi may iba kang nakikita na hindi nakikita ng iba," he explained.

Also in "Maging Akin Ka Lamang" are Alicia Alonzo, Juan Rodrigo, Pinky Amador, Dexter Doria, Mike Tan and Arci Munoz.

"Maging Akin Ka Lamang" is scheduled to air starting on Jan. 21 and is part of GMA 7's Dramarama sa Hapon.

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