From a literature major and summa cum laude to an actor: The many facets of Benjamin Alves

GMA Network

3 days ago

Benjamin Alves is no stranger to transformation. In fact, it seems to be his trademark.
Whether he's embodying the formidable presence of President Manuel L. Quezon in Jerrold Tarog's 'Bayaniverse' trilogy, taking on the role of a single father in GMA Afternoon Prime's "Akusada," or a flamboyant yet misunderstood husband in the Kapuso murder-mystery series 'Widows' War,' Ben proves time and again that there is far more to him than meets the eye.
A full circle moment with 'Quezon'
Wrapping up 'Quezon" this year, the third installment in the 'Bayaniverse" films, was a full-circle moment for Ben.
The Kapuso actor reflected on a journey that began almost a decade ago with 'Heneral Luna,' where he played the young Quezon, a lieutenant who would later on become the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines.
'I can't help but feel nostalgic,' he shared to GMA News Online.
'When I first did the role of Teniente Quezon sa 'Heneral Luna,' I also was, kumbaga, teniente is almost like a rookie, no? It was also my first year in showbiz. So, it has a weird correlation in that sense, so I can't help but feel nostalgic."
From being Quezon, Ben currently plays the role of Wilfred in 'Akusada" alongside Andrea Torres. The character, a single dad to a 16-year-old daughter (Ashley Sarmiento), was one that required more imagination and emotional groundwork from the actor.
'Well, I'm not a dad myself, pero 'yun nga, I just tried to study, especially playing, having a child na 16 years old,' he shared.
For Ben, the real challenge was not simply playing a father, but capturing the depth and emotional complexity of a deeply rooted parent-child relationship.
'It was a big jump,' he admitted.
But if 'Akusada' tested Ben's paternal instincts, 'Widows' War' pushed his creative limits. In the murder-mystery series, Ben played Basil, a man married to a woman (Carla Abellana), yet harbored a fluid gender identity.
'Surprised, of course. I've never done that before,' he said of the role.
Calling it 'edge work,' Ben saw Basil's character as an opportunity to expand his craft.
'I knew I was a short stint with the show. I knew that my fate was to be murdered. I decided to jump. I decided to... Ang tawag namin sa acting workshop was 'edge work,'' he shared.
'Really edge work, really push myself. It was the only soap I was gonna do for the year kasi I had just gotten married, so I wanted something fun, different, and memorable."
From styling choices—animal prints and curly hair—to nuanced emotional work, Ben embraced the complexity and visual flamboyance of Basil by collaborating with stylists to express his identity.
'What ended up happening was, we all, even the writers, all jumped in. Parang sabi ko when I was working with the stylist, si JP, try nga natin kulot 'yung buhok. Try nga natin ito, tapos, sabi ko, 'JP, paano natin mapapakita na may ganoon siyang package?' Ayun, nagsuot siya ng may leopard, lagi may leopard, and flamboyant 'yung clothes niya,' he described.
There is no role too big or too small for Ben, and he makes sure to leave a mark in each one he takes on, regardless if he's working on an afternoon or primetime series, a film, or a single episode for an anthology.
In 2023, the actor delivered a powerful performance in a "Magpakailanman" episode, "Ang Mister na Walang Misis," where he portrayed a man who was abandoned by his wife and left to raise their children alone.
Just this July, Ben was nominated for Best Single Performance by an Actor at the 37th PMPC Star Awards for Television for his portrayal in the episode.
"Thank you PMPC for the nomination," he had said on Instagram. "Truly, I'm humbled to even be seen."
A scholar and a summa cum laude
Before making a name in showbiz, Ben actually tried to walk away from the industry.
'When I first went back to school, I was trying to make it here sa GMA as a model turned actor. And then I decided to go back to school instead kasi it wasn't working or I wasn't panning out the way I wanted. I didn't have the traction that I wanted, so I went back to school,' Ben said.
When his career momentum slowed, Ben made the difficult decision to go back to school.
He started out studying Marketing with a minor in Finance at the University of Guam, where he was a scholar, but everything shifted when he took an English class taught by a professor who truly inspired him.
'He told me, 'It's your undergrad lang naman. If you're planning to get [a] master's [degree], which you might as well, get your undergrad somewhere you like kasi you can still go into marketing,'' he recalled.
The advice resonated with Ben and he eventually shifted his major to Literature.
From there, a new dream emerged: to become a teacher, even a professor. The plan was to teach English in Japan while pursuing a master's degree—mirroring the path of his English professor who offered to help him make that move.
'I wanted to become a teacher or a professor. The plan was to get a master's or go to Japan after getting my English degree kasi 'yun 'yung pinakamadali para makapunta ka ng Japan to teach English. And then you can get your master's in Japan,' he said.
But fate had other plans.
Just one semester shy of graduating, Ben returned to the Philippines for a vacation. During that trip, he was introduced to GMA Network Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes and the rest, as he puts it, 'is where we're at now.'
He recalled the pressure of being presented by his manager as someone on track to graduate summa cum laude—a distinction that meant maintaining no grade lower than a B.
'I remember thinking, 'Wait, I still have to finish this course' and at the same time, I was flying back and forth to do PR and media rounds in Manila just to stay relevant,' he said, referring to his return to showbiz while finishing school.
After two years, a few summer classes, and the challenge of juggling academics with showbiz, Ben finally earned his college degree, graduating summa cum laude.
From literature to the big screen
Ben's path from literature to acting unfolded over time.
'As you get older, it kinda shows itself, kung saan ka naka-linya. It took a while,' he said.
His journey in acting wasn't made in a sudden leap nor was it a rejection of writing but a gradual process of discovering where he felt most equipped, most fulfilled.
'I think I said it before that I only consider myself as an actor the last few years. [But now], I feel like I'm more equipped to say, 'Oh, okay, I'm an actor.' Dati parang... Isa akong artistang binibigyan ng projects. That's a very different attitude than saying, I'm an actor,' Ben shared.
Today, he feels more confident in his capabilities, no longer hoping to simply manage roles, but to embody them fully.
'Parang ngayon... I feel like I'm well-equipped to do whatever they give me. Rather than dati parang, 'Oh my gosh, I hope they give me something na kakayanin ko,'' he added.
But while acting has taken center stage in his career, Ben has not let go of writing.
'I still write. I still can write,' Ben said.
He once considered publishing and even had meetings about compiling a body of work, but he has since realized that much of his writing is for himself.
'There was a time, there [were] talks with Sparkle. I've sat down to come up with a compendium of what I can write and hopefully publish it,' he recalled.
'In hindsight, parang buti na lang 'di nangyari kasi nga parang... It would've been... Masyado siyang naka-timestamp sa buhay na 'yun eh. Kumbaga... I don't know how I would accept that it's out there. It's public property at that point.'
Now, he sees writing not as a public pursuit, but a private sanctuary for reflection, something he cherishes just as deeply, even if it never finds its way to an audience.
'I've realized now getting older that my writing is very for myself or private. It's private as opposed to before na parang, 'Ah, kailangan marinig ng mundo 'to.''
Still, if given the chance, he would love to write a script—perhaps a meta-narrative about the entertainment industry.
'Something that shows the other side. Not just the glamour. The grit, the realness,' he shared.
And if he were to write a book about himself, Ben said it would explore both his failures and successes, revealing the many facets of who he is.
His background in literature has also been advantageous in his career as an actor, as it helps him approach roles with a deeper understanding.
'It's easier to write a character study or come up with a backstory,' he said.
His academic background allows him to filter a script through the writer's intent—recognizing not just what a character says or does, but why they were written that way.
'It's not always what I would agree to, but again, as an actor, I kinda try to stick with the tools I have as far as I can, rather than messing kasi they have their own,' he explained.
For Ben, the script is a product of long hours of brainstorming and deliberation—a process he respects.
'So, for me, to go there and try to change it, parang 'yung pinagpuyatan nila, parang now, enhancing it is different. So, that's like putting my own interpretation or spiking it, kumbaga, in the scene. That falls in our responsibility, our role as an actor,' Ben said.
This perspective helped him portray complex roles such as Quezon, Basil, and Wilfred, where a character's narrative purpose is just as crucial as delivering the performance.
A loud and proud K-pop stan
Surprising to some, one of Ben's biggest passions is K-pop—particularly second-generation icons like BIGBANG, SHINee, and IU.
'I've watched [BIGBANG] ever since they debuted,' he revealed, naming former member TOP as his bias.
A self-proclaimed fanboy, he once dreamed of covering BIGBANG's 'Bang Bang Bang' on the now-defunct Kapuso show 'Lip Sync Battle' and proudly refers to himself as a "VIP," the official fandom name of the group.
He also hopes to catch the group's 25th anniversary reunion concert live one day.
Life behind the cameras
When he's not acting, Ben wakes up early, walks his dogs, goes on runs, and enjoys the peace and quiet of domestic life with his wife Chelsea Robato.
'I don't eat until 2 p.m. I watch YouTube a lot—K-pop concerts, travel vlogs," he told GMA News Online.
He also helps run their family's real estate and boxing gym businesses.
Ben is a living paradox—a scholar and a star, an avid K-pop fan, a statesman on screen, and an introvert with a deep love for storytelling.
Whether he's running laps, reading Charles Bukowski and Raymond Carver, or stepping into the shoes of national heroes, he approaches these all with quiet conviction and relentless curiosity.
And with his many facets, this is what's clear—whatever's next for Ben will be anything but ordinary.
—CDC, GMA Integrated News