AUGUST 12-18, 2017 ISSUE

EXCLUSIVE TELL-ALL INTERVIEW! “I want to be known as someone who broke out of his shell, overcame his shyness, and excelled in his craft.”

PLUS! Zues Collins, Ryle Paolo Tan, , Jimboy Martin, Nikko Natividad, Tom Doromal, Luke Conde, Jon Lucas, and Paulo Angeles open up about Hashtags’ brotherhood

INDIE ACTOR IN DEMAND One of the busiest members of Hashtags, , proves that his versatility as an actor and performer can make him last long in showbiz

#InsideShowbizLovesJamesonBlake

A GROWING FAMILY

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 Hashtags, the almost two-year-old boy group, began on It’s Showtime and has produced some of the hottest young male talent in the industry today Dubbed as the Kilig Ambassadors since November 2015, local boy group Hashtags is composed of talented, good-looking young men who originally dance on noontime variety show It’s Showtime. The original 11 members of the group are Jameson Blake, Zeus Collins, Ryle Santiago, McCoy De Leon, Jimboy Martin, Nikko Natividad, Tom Doromal, Luke Conde, Jon Lucas, Paulo Angeles, and Ronnie Alonte.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 VERSATILE, HAPPY BUNCH

“I think what makes us different is that one, we have an everyday show,” says Ryle. “So exposed kami everyday.” He also says that they are a versatile bunch. “We’re not just limited to dancing. Yung iba sa amin, umaarte na. Meron din kaming singers. [We can] host as well. We have a lot to offer.”

Jon remembers their first ever performance as a group and says that while it was not their best, it was one of their happiest. “Nakakatawa yung performance namin kasi ‘di talaga kami ni-launch as magagaling na dancer pero ‘yun yung pinakamasayang araw namin.” For Nikko, it was the turning point of their lives. Now that it’s been almost two years since they’ve been together as a group, the boys say they’ve grown in their fields, and have also gotten to know each other better. “Kilala namin kung sino makulit, sino yung tahimik, tulog palagi,” narrates McCoy.

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Ryle addresses comparisons with their group, “Lagi kami nako-compare nung una, pero ‘yung mga nako- compare [sa amin noon] wala na, meaning they aren’t active anymore or people don’t want to compare them with us anymore because they know the difference between the two of us na iba ‘yung ma-o-offer [namin].” He explains that what the management really wanted to achieve with Hashtags is not just to launch them as a solid group, but also to be known individually.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 BONDED BROTHERHOOD

“Pamilya talaga kami na nagkakatampuhan at nagkakainisan din. Overall, masayahin ‘yung group namin,” reveals Jon. “Naramdaman ko dito sa Hashtags ‘yung walang kapantay na suporta sa isat-isa,” explains Zeus. “Walang inggit kung sino ‘yung umaangat. Parati lang naming sinasabi na ‘Congrats sa mga projects mo.’ Matibay ‘yung Hashtags dahil parang kapatid na ‘yung turing namin sa isa’t-isa.”

Luke says that they’re very comfortable with each other and would even hang out at each others’ places. “Di kami nahihiya magsabi ng problema sa isa’t-isa,” further explains Nikko. They even tell each other their family problems. Zeus is one of the most visible among the group and has been said to be the leader or the kuya figure. To encourage younger members who feel that being part of the Hashtags is too tedious (they rehearse Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and can be seen on It’s Showtime everyday), Zeus reminds them of past experiences they had.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 “Kapag nahihirapan na sila, parati ko lang sinasabi na isipin lang nila ‘yung naranasan nilang hirap ng buhay noon,” reveals Zeus. “Sigurado ako pati puso at isip nila titibay at magpupursigi pa silang magtrabaho.”

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It’s inevitable that groups, especially one as tight-knit as the Hashtags, will have problems or some fights. Zeus says that they talk about their conflicts when they arise. “Wala nang pataasan ng pride,” he tells Inside Showbiz Weekly. “Kung sino ‘yung may mali, ‘di na patatagalin pa [‘yung away].” He narrates some instances when members would feel fatigued during rehearsals and others would have to encourage them to go on. “Pero ‘di naman umaabot sa suntukan,” clarifies Zeus. “Hanggang sa magsasabihan na ng problema tapos magiging okay na.”

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The motto “Bros before hoes” is also applicable to the members of Hashtags. Ryle says that they haven’t really fought over ladies or their love lives. “Mahal namin ang isa’t-isa,” he explains. The group has their little disagreements though, such as when they eat each others’ food or are late from time to time, but mostly they are family.

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NEW BLOOD

As of now, eight new members have been added to the originally 11 Hashtag members, totaling to 19 Hashtags all in all. “Nung umpisa siyempre nagulat ako, bakit may bago [na members],” confesses Zeus. “Pero naisip ko may mga tao na may mga pangarap din.”

Jameson admits that at first, they weren’t really comfortable with the idea of having new members. “11 of us is already good, and that’s already a lot,” he explains. “So when we heard there were new members, we couldn’t do anything about it kasi ‘yun yung decision ng management.” But Jameson narrates that when they met the newbies, they immediately got along with them. “Pero they were really nice when we met them. Wala akong nakitang mayabang or anything. We’re 19 now and medyo ang dami na, but it’s all good. It’s manageable. Since busy nga some of the members, ayaw ng management na konti lang ang sumasayaw sa stage ‘pag It’s Showtime.”

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 The young heartthrob also confesses that one of the reasons why they got new blood into the group was because he, along with Ronnie and McCoy, were busy with their solo projects. “There was even a point na tatlo lang ‘yung sumayaw. They wanted to avoid that so they added more members. That’s one thing that came to their mind, other members would be busy.”

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INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 Ryle says that they didn’t help select the new members, but he and Luke went to see the last leg of auditions. He admits that he didn’t like the idea of having new Hashtags at first. “Siyempre sila tanggap lang sila ng bago, pero ako [na] bad trip ako,” he says candidly. “Kaka-one year lang kasi namin. It’s too early to add new members. Hindi pa dapat.” Ryle recalls the time the old and new Hashtags met and says the newbies were very quiet and respectful of the older members. Ryle echoes what Zeus said when it comes to the new Hashtags. “I realized eventually na ‘di lang naman kami ‘yung pwede mangarap,” he says. “Pwede rin naman mangarap ‘yung ibang tao, so why not give them a chance to chase their dreams?”

A MILESTONE JOURNAL

In May 2017, the group released the Hashtags Journal, which became No. 1 at the National Bookstore’s Bestseller List for Non-Fiction in July (it is currently sold out!). The journal tells the stories of the 11 boys, from their beginnings to where they are today. It also has photos and a special slum book section of sorts where the boys answer almost anything under the sun from how many times they’ve fallen in love to a funny incident from their childhood. “It’s like a scrapbook,” Jameson explains. “There are small things like your best asset. When you read it, you’ll discover things we never really talked about. It’s a journal and talks about each member and what they went through.”

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 Zeus tells that they’re very happy with the release of the journal. “Kung iisipin mo dati ordinaryong tao lang kami,” he says. “Tapos ngayon mababasa na ng mga tao kung ano ‘yung narating namin. Kung ano ‘yung naging buhay namin dati. Siyempre sobrang saya naming lahat. Makikita nila kung gaano kami kakulit, kung gaano kami ka-close [sa isa’t-isa].”

GOING SOLO

The Hashtags also have their blossoming individual careers. For Ryle, he quit school before to get into showbiz. “I want to act,” he reveals. “Yung pwede ako mag-rom com, mag-serious, action, and horror. I want to try all the different genres.” Ryle is part of a musical film titled Bakwit Boys where he stars with fellow Hashtag member, Nikko, and actress Devon Seron. When it comes to love teams, Ryle says he is open to going solo in his career and doesn’t find it necessary to have a love team to make it in the biz. “Kasi look at John Lloyd, kahit sino ma-pair sa kanya, kaya niya. I want to be someone like him, na kung may love team, do your best. If not, have another role. Ang totoong artista, ‘di namimili ng role. You would want to be challenged to the most of your capabilities to see how you can go as an actor.” This year, Ryle says he is also focused on working on himself first.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 Meanwhile, Jameson is one of the busiest Hashtags members lately, having been visible on TV and films. After starring in last year’s indie hit 2 Cool 2 Be 4Gotten where he won Best Supporting Actor at the C1 Originals Festival 2016, he now stars in the film Nabubulok which is part of the ongoing Cinemalaya Film Festival. He is also now filming the Regal horror flick Haunted Forest, which he top bills with Jane Oineza, , and fellow Hashtags member, Jon. Jameson is also part of C1 Originals 2017 entry ‘Nay, where he would star with veterans Enchong Dee and Sylvia Sanchez. On top of that, he is still playing Fort on the primetime teleserye where he is part of the love triangle composed of Julia Barretto and fellow Hashtags member, Ronnie.

“Dati nakita ko si Ronnie and McCoy getting their careers higher and higher. Ako, I was really satisfied with Showtime then I started getting more projects eventually. I started getting into acting. Wala ako masyadong rakets as compared to before,” recalls Jameson.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 INSIDE SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE Having clarified that he’s not leaving the Hashtags, Jameson says he misses the time with the boys that he used to have. “[Now] I don’t really go with the members, I don’t go to out of town. I get left out most of the time. I was sad because I didn’t really get to be with them.” He says as much as possible, he still tries to be with the group on It’s Showtime when he doesn’t have taping. “I don’t want to be conscious about it,” he clarifies to Inside Showbiz Weekly. “I still want to be with the group. I don’t want to leave them behind. I want to balance everything.”

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 INSIDE SHOWBIZ EXCLUSIVE LOOKING AHEAD

Nothing is permanent and showbiz can be a fleeting industry. What plans do the boys have as they go through their journey in this field?

Jameson, who is part breadwinner of his family, says that as early as now he has started saving from every project he gets. He says he would love to start a business when he is no longer part of showbiz. “I’m always thinking ahead of time,” he explains. “I’m not expecting that I’m going to last a long time in showbiz, so I’m always prepared with back-up plans.” He says he knows he should be studying at this age, but he is also grabbing every opportunity in showbiz

Similar to some of the characters he’s played on- screen, Jameson says that he grew up having family and financial problems. He still optimistically says that he wants to be successful in life, even if he has gone through hardships. “I want to be inspirational to others, especially to millennials,” he says. “[I want to be known as someone] who broke out of his shell, [overcame his shyness], and [excelled] in his craft.” Jameson adds that he is thankful to his fans for all the effort they’ve made including going to far-flung places where he films, and hopes that they don’t get tired of supporting him.

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 For Ryle, personally he wants to prioritize It’s Showtime but at the same time also wants to do projects on his own, such as acting.“Di naman forever ang Hashtags, e,” admits Zeus. “Kapag nawala na yung Hashtags, kailangan mo na mag-solo talaga. Tuloy lang ako kung ano yung trabaho na ibigay sa akin.” He says he plans to take more acting and singing workshops so his skills can level up and he’s not limited to dancing. “Tapos tuloy lang. Kahit anong trabaho ang ibigay.”

As a group, the boys hope to have a film or a TV series. They also hope to do a concert tour and want to do another album. They think that being on It’s Showtime regularly and having exposure on the show will help in their staying power in the biz. “Kasama na din ‘yung faith,” adds McCoy. “Bago kami magsayaw, ‘di namin nakakalimutan magdasal.” McCoy says that their fans are their inspirations. Luke adds that they have their individual solid fan bases as well as their fan base as a group. “Kailangan namin na mas alagaan pa sila,” he explains. “Hangga’t nandito kami, nandyan din sila para sa amin.”

INSIDE SHOWBIZ WEEKLY AUGUST 2017 Text by Melissa Bagamasbad Photography Jerick Sanchez Creative Direction Rain P. Dagala Styling by Ryuji Shiomitsu Interview by Angelu Zafe Video Editing by Nix Villaruel

Special Thanks to MEGA Man Magazine