IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN FIVE YEARS since Manny Jacinto first appeared on our television screens as Jason Mendoza in the critically acclaimed series, The Good Place. With Jason, Jacinto succeeded in subverting the usual Asian stereotypes while also making hearts swoon. The role made him akin to an Asian Ken-doll with the mentality of a teenager - naive and ever-so blithe. In propria persona however, the Filipino-Canadian actor is quite the opposite. The actor is confident, charismatic and genuinely amiable.
There is more to the actor - who migrated to Canada from the Philippines at age three - than meets the eye. His chiselled jawline pales in comparison to his personality and his convictions in life. Jacinto has been working hard through the global pandemic, while simultaneously being an activist for sociocultural issues and climate change. With a strong desire for achievement and growth, Jacinto continues to challenge and cultivate himself by assuming new roles even though it would be convenient to continue playing fan-favourite characters such as Jason Mendoza. And despite his successes and booming popularity, he remains unassuming and deferential, self-assured but never haughty.
What propelled you to venture into show business?
Before venturing into acting, I was a dancer. The need to improve my performance on stage prompted me to take up an acting class. Since that first class, I caught the bug, and my love for acting started to snowball. While dancing is an amazing medium for me to communicate my feelings, I find it more liberating to express myself through my body and voice with acting.
As an Asian who has assumed many leading roles in well-loved TV series, how do you feel about the lack of onscreen Asian representation?
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