Mr. Gay World 2017 Winner In Spain, John Raspado, Tries Acting For The First Time In The Daring Stage Play 'Solo Para Adultos'

JOHN RASPADO was our country's representative in the Mr. Gay World Pageant held in Maspalomas, Spain in May of this year. He won the title, making him the first Filipino and the first Asian to win in the pageant. He was a great favorite of the jurors and the crowd. He also won as Best in Swimwear, best in Formal Wear, best Mr. Gay World Closed Door Interview, Mr. Online Vote and Mr. Social Media Favorite.

Now, he's trying acting for the first time in the sexy stage play, "Solo Para Adultos", produced by Red Lantern Productions and directed by Bong Ramos. Why did he join showbiz only now when he's 30 years old and not when he was younger? "Actually, year 2000, nag-VTR na ako for auditions, pero hindi ako pinalad," he says. "Siguro dahil wala pa rin akong confidence noon. I was still a college student in St. Louis University in Baguio, where I finished marketing."


Has he always known that he is gay? "No. In college, may girlfriend ako, four years kami. It's only after college at napunta ko sa Manila to work here, doon ako nag-experiment. Now, may boyfriend ako who's based in Australia. Three years na kami, long distance relationship. He visits me and I also visit him."

He's active in his advocacy, Responsible Sexual Behavior that fosters HIV Awareness, giving lectures to members of the LGBT community on safe sex.

In "Solo Para Adultos", he plays a top actor who's a closet queen. He'll have kissing scenes with Vivo Ouano who plays a masseur he falls in love with. Have they actually tried doing it? "No, rehearsals pa lang kami, so puro batuhan muna ng mahahaba naming linya. When the play was offered to me, natakot ako kasi wala naman akong experience sa acting. Pero sa sex, meron. Ha ha ha!"

Doesn't he get affected by Vivo? "Siempre, affected. Lalaki siya, guwapo, ang ganda ng katawan, mabait pa, e. E, gay ako. But I have to respect him, his boundaries, kasi may asawa't mga anak na siya. So parang kapatid na lang ang treatment ko sa kanya. Huwag na lang lagyan ng malisya dahil trabaho lang ito. Panoorin nyo na lang ang play namin sa Music Museum on October 20."

So he's ready to bare his body on stage? "Naku, e mataba ako ngayon. Kasi I fractured my hand at hindi ako nakakapag-workout so tumaba ako. I'm 6 feet tall. Dapat ang weight ko is 185 lbs. But now it's 200 lbs. So I have to exercise and lose weight for the play."

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