Long before answering the insistent call of showbiz, Jovani Manansala was already “famous.” After scoring a number of print and TV ads, he gained a massive following online. No thanks to his sexy pictures that features his chiselled body and brooding but charming and handsome face and that winning smile.
But like all of us, he faced a daunting choice on whether to jump into the chaotic world of acting, or just remain an enigma as a social-media personality. Of course, he chose the former. Otherwise, he wouldn’t take up much column inches here.
In a short span of time, and no small thanks to his good looks, Jovani was able to score a number of meaty roles in TV shows like Ipaglaban Mo and Maalala Mo Kaya, and even major ones in indie darlings Mamu, And A Mother Too and Jolly Spirit. But the question remains: Is he just a shredded set of abs plus a handsome face, or is he a genuine talent on the verge of a genuine breakthrough?
Mutli-awarded film writer and director Adolfo Alix Jr. (Donsol, Mater Dolorosa, Manila, Death March) thinks Jovani’s got more to offer, and that’s why he cast him in his BL series Happenstance with Kiko Ipapo. Kiko and Jovani play Wade and Jose Manuel, respectively, two people who magically meet although they are living in different periods—one in 1974, the other in 2020. Jose Manuel is grounded after his military father learned of his relationship with Luis, an activist. Wade, on the other hand, is recovering from a recent break up with Eric and while on vacation gets caught up in the Covid-19 lockdown. A super moon appears, and an opportunity opens for these two heartbroken souls to connect across time and find love once again.
According to Alix, Jovani possesses the qualities he was looking for in Jose Manuel. That certain loneliness and emotionality. He also did wonders in the screen testing with Kiko and the rest of the cast.
Hopefully, Happenstance will be the one project that will make people sit up and notice that Jovani is more than just a hunkalicious personality. While his career has a certain scattershot quality to it, you can sense an overall ambition to define himself by testing his boundaries as an actor. It was only a matter of time before Jovani landed a role that would serve as his proper introduction to showbiz and Happenstance could be it.
If all goes well, Jovani may become a mainstream actor working in films and TV projects where people can appreciate his talents. In the meantime, there is no harm in still liking his sexy pictures on Instagram or Twitter or Kumu or Tiktok or whatever platform these young ones are into these days. After all, they are indeed likeable, drool-worthy even.
But all we can say to him is: “Aim high Jovani. We are rooting for you.”
Happenstance will consist of nine episodes to be released weekly starting in late November, exclusively on the LGBTQ+ streaming platform GagaOOLala. Other cast members of Happenstance are Bembol Roco, Rosanna Roces, Alan Paule, Erlinda Villalobos, Shu Calleja, Angeli Bayani, Ken Adnerson and Saviour Ramos.