Last year in "Ako Legal Wife," 20-something John Prats played the closet-gay role of Hamilton. Now, just after placing second at the recently concluded "Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition," the actor landed the role of Orson, a screaming-gay role in Regal Entertainment�s� "Manay Po." And according to the actor, this would be his last gay role for the year.

    "It�s time to take a rest from this type of role," he explained. "My next roles should be different after "Manay Po."

    He added that he wouldn�t have accepted the movie project if he was to play another closet-gay role. He doesn�t even describe himself as gay in the film, but rather as a woman. John as Orson would be a cross-dresser and the so-called screaming gay. And enhancing his "gayness" in the role would be his bestfriend in the film, full blown gay IC Mendoza!

    The irony was that he didn�t have time to prepare for his latest upbeat role. After "PBB: Celebrity Edition," he only rested for a couple of days then went straight to shooting "Manay Po" and tapings for ABS-CBN’s "Bituing Walang Ningning."

    "It�s our director, Joel Lamangan, who�s teaching me how to portray my role. And I�ve entrusted myself to him. Girl ako dito hindi bading. I'll even enter a Miss Gay beauty contest," smiled John.

    Some of the advices he has gathered from his director were minimizing his movements as a screaming gay. Yet he wants John to be precise in everything because it is a comedy film. Also, he is expected to deliver the lines accorded to his character and nothing more.

    He also kidded that though he didn�t have time to have acting workshops for his gay role, having his body hair waxed during one of the challenges in "PBB: Celebrity Edition" was perfect timing. It would do him well especially during the film�s Ms. Gay beauty contest scenes.

    In "Manay Po," John Prats is joined by two other heterosexual actors as his brothers who are also gay in the movie. They are F&H image model Polo Ravales as Oscar, a successful architect, and awarded child actor Jiro Manio as their youngest sibling Orwell. The film tackles the life of Cherry Pie Picache�s character who discovers that her three sons are all homosexuals. Written by Dinno Erece, "Manay Po" is under the helm of awarded filmmaker Joel Lamangan.

    So what kind of fulfillment does he get from playing gay roles?

    "Well at first, I felt I wasn�t satisfied with my role in �Ako Legal Wife� because closet gay ako. Hindi ko talaga naexperience na bading ako. Here, nakakaaliw, screaming fag at ang sarap laruin ang role ko. Kung baga kasi ang pagiging artista dapat naglalaro ka rin sa mga characters mo."

    He was partly inspired by what he read about Johnny Depp while inside the Big Brother House. He was in awe finding out that the Hollywood actor�s actions in "Pirates of the Caribbean" were the movements of the cartoon character Sylvester. And he hopes to follow his idol�s lead in terms of acting in bringing to life on screen his role as Orson in "Manay Po."

    Unlike other actors whose entry into show business was coupled by intrigues surrounding their real sexuality, John shared that he was never rumored to be gay.

    And when asked of the possibility that he might wake up one day and realize he is really gay, the actor just said it was impossible!

    "I doubt it. I know myself very well. If I had that tendency, siguro sa Bahay ni Kuya� mas lalo ko siyang mapapansin. Because inside, mas magnified at mas makikilala mo ang sarili mo because no one�s there to guide you."

    With regard to his love interest, actress and model Nancy Castiglione, he said that it never came to a point that the latter would ask if he�s really gay.

    "It�s okay to her that I play these roles. Our respective works never affect our friendship or relationship. Natatuwa lang siya," he said.

    Despite his good fortune after coming out of the Pinoy Big Brother�s house, the last time he saw his love interest was during his interview on "The Buzz." His busy schedule as well as Nancy�s have prohibited both of them to have a heart to heart talk about their, if ever, possible romantic relationship.

    John admitted before he entered "PBB: Celebrity Edition" that he has been dating Nancy Castiglione for three straight weeks. Nancy was then broken-hearted (from failed relationship with Bullet Jalosjos) and he was always there to console her. When things got a little bit serious, "PBB" came about and put a stop on a possible romance between them.

    "We really need to talk about us. I mean being away for two months is something. I told her that I love her before I entered the house, but she was hesitant to give me an answer. I understand kasi baka masaktan lang siya dahil papasok nga ako sa �Bahay ni Kuya," John said.

    What John has consistently done since getting out of Kuya�s house was to call her up every free time he has or send her text messages.

    Does he think that after two months, he still stands a chance to win Nancy�s heart?

    "Well, sana. Hindi naman ganun kastrong ang naiwan naming relasyon bago ako pumasok. Feeling ko I�m starting all over again."

    The worst thing that could happen of course is if John�s love would not be reciprocated by Nancy. But according to him, he�d accept it and simply move on.

    "I already thought about that .�kung nandyan siya, I�m very thankful. Kung wala, I have to learn to accept it. Maybe we aren�t really meant for each other.� if that happens pero of course I still have to try my best to win her heart before I�d accept na wala talaga," he expressed.

    "Manay Po" is slated for a May opening this year.