For Franco Laurel, age is just a number

MANILA, Philippines – “So you don’t feel 41?”

“No, It’s funny because I guess I feel it in a sense when I see my white hair. But in terms of how I feel, I see no difference.”

This is how celebrity and musical theater actor, Franco Laurel, candidly replied over a casual interview. He opened up about life in his 40s and how he is welcoming it with open arms.

The topic of age may seem rather taboo for a person in the entertainment industry, considering how youth is such a prized commodity and not everyone is able to drink from its fountain forever. 

But this doesn’t faze Franco because he believes that, regardless of age, there will always be roles and new opportunities. It’s just a matter of acceptance and perspective.  

Life’s a stage

Franco began his career in showbiz in 1996, at the age of 23 and entered the world of musical theater 2 years later when he was cast in the musical, ‘Rama at Sita.’ 

Although he always loved to sing, the role ignited in him a passion for the world of musical theater. He has not looked back since.

“Once the theatre bug bites you, you’re hooked for life,” he quipped.  

Over the years, Franco has appeared in numerous roles, in plays and musicals such as Joseph in ‘Joseph the Dreamer’,  Anthony in ‘Sweeney Todd’, and Linus in ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’ to name a few (the list could go on an on). 

As a seasoned actor, he understands that as your career progresses, there is a natural shift in the types of roles. His secret to longevity? He says, it’s being able to accept that at 40 you can no longer play roles that are meant to be for 20 or 30 year olds. 

Content with playing more mature roles he adds that, as a bonus, he is now in a position to be more discerning with the types of roles he accepts. Sometimes as a young actor you don’t have much choice but to accept a role that is thrown at you. However, as a veteran who has earned respect and credibility in the industry, he is now able to choose and work on the projects he is really excited and passionate about as an artist. 

This year he will be appearing in 9 Works Theatrical’s ‘Grease’, reprising his role as Teen Angel. 

Uncovering new passions

As an artist, one is always striving to be fulfilled and this requires discovering new creative outlets outside of what you are accustomed to. For Franco, this outlet is writing.

He began writing his blog, ‘The Happy Man…’ in 2012 as a way to share his thoughts and ideas in a positive and uplifting manner. While the blogosphere tends towards negativity with posts that are more of personal rants and blind items, Franco chooses to only spread positivity. 

This strategy of only spreading good vibes, whether it be a positive review of a play he watched or a new restaurant discovery, seems to have worked in his favor.  

He has developed a following as a blogger and this in turn has developed into new and unexpected opportunities. This year, he now juggles his acting career with a career extension as a contributing editor for Metro Society Magazine.

“I’m not a journalist,” he claims. “I just write how I feel. I don’t claim to be someone that uses highfaluting words. I go straight to the heart.”

Family first

When in his 20s he was so focused on career, career, career he has shifted his focus and lives a more balanced life.  

For Franco, “The nice thing about being 40 years old is that you learn to take away the things that weigh you down.” 

Letting go of unnecessary baggage and being less of a people pleaser, allowed him to streamline his priorities so that he could spend more time doing the things he loves with the people he loves the most.  

For him that is his family. Married to fellow actor and celebrity, Ayen Munji Laurel and being a father of four children including a 7 month old baby girl who was just born February of this year, life has really taken on new meaning for Franco. 

Sundays are sacred and devoted to family time. Also, short trips during Christmas and Holy Week keep the family bond strong despite their busy schedules.

Realizing the importance of staying healthy in order to enjoy a longer and fuller life with his family, fitness and health are very much integrated into his daily routine.  

Once a swimmer for the Philippine team and an athlete all throughout college in Japan, he has returned to his roots and makes sure to swim at least 3 times a week. He averages around 2,000 to 2,500 meters (2 to 2.5 km) a swim. 

He also maintains a healthy diet by following a strict ‘eat right for your blood type’ program which means staying away from red meat, white grains, and potatoes. Although he admits to indulging in dark chocolate from time to time. 

The happy man 

In his 40 plus years of life, Franco Laurel, has learned that you can’t force things to happen. Yes he always knew he was a creative person and wanted to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry but he could’ve easily gone on a different path.

Graduating in Japan, the center for business and all things corporate, he noted that it was easy for him to enter the corporate world. He wonders though, had it happened, would he be happy? 

Going the corporate route would have meant not meeting his future wife and then boss Ayen, at the set of his first musical ‘Rama at Sita’. It would have meant not having four beautiful children. And despite the dog-eat-dog world of show business, he has retained a happy home life and 13 years of marriage with someone who also lives very much under the spotlight. 

His secret? Knowing where to draw the line and rolling with the punches. 

“If you can, live your life and then continue to do what you are passionate about – acting, singing, performing – but then have that fine line between privacy and what the world can see from you.” 

Yes, he is extremely grateful for the many experiences and achievements he has received throughout his career and at the end of the day you have a trophy on the shelf and a little more money in the bank, but are those really the things in life that matter? 

“For me, it’s family and God that are very important. I think those are the things, now that I am 40, that I am so proud of that I have achieved and that I treasure the most,” says Franco in a voice filled with conviction and sincerity.

With a growing career, a new baby, and a different perspective, he feels like he has been given a new lease on life.  

Over the course of the interview he expressed, “Age is just just a number. It all depends on how you feel.” And for Franco Laurel, at this stage in his life, he is a happy man. – Rappler.com