EXCLUSIVE: VR Relosa strips away old labels in pursuit of serious acting

The actor embraces indie films, theater, and thrillers as he builds range beyond his leading-man roots.

From VMX leading man to festival films, VR Relosa is steadily building a career that refuses to be confined by a single label.

VR is consciously steering his career toward independent cinema, theater, psychological thrillers, and other demanding roles, hoping audiences will eventually remember him not for where he started, but for the range he’s built along the way.

“My recent projects have all been very intentional,” Relosa told radar Entertainment. “I’ve always wanted to be an actor. I don’t want to be boxed into just one genre.”

While some actors try to distance themselves from bold films, Relosa embraces his beginnings. He credits VMX for giving him the break that many aspiring actors spend years searching for.

“I actually started with VMX films because I saw it as an opportunity to work with some of the country’s best directors and cinematographers,” he said. “The film industry can be difficult to break into, especially if you didn’t come from a reality show or don’t have industry connections.”

“For me, VMX became a door that allowed me to learn from incredible filmmakers and gain valuable experience on set.”

Rather than seeing those projects as something to outgrow, he considers them the foundation that prepared him for more challenging work.

Choosing growth over comfort

That mindset became clear when he was offered the chance to audition for “Starfish,” one of this year’s Puregold CinePanalo short films. At the time, Relosa was vacationing in Siargao, but he immediately flew back to Manila for the audition.

“I’ve always wanted to be part of a festival film, so when I got the role, saying yes was an easy decision,” he recalled.

His recent slate of projects reflects that deliberate shift. Aside from “Starfish,” he stars in the upcoming psychological thriller “Andoy,” an unreleased queer-themed film with Mon Confiado, Cedrick Juan, and Soliman Cruz, and is also in talks for a BL series that would showcase a lighter, more romantic side of him.

“I’m excited for all of them because each project lets audiences see a different side of me as an actor.”

Never stop learning

Relosa’s commitment to growth extends beyond film sets. This year, he made his musical theater debut in “Sa Apolonio Samson, Si Apolonio Samson” and completed the FDCP Masters Series acting workshop under veteran filmmakers Laurice Guillen, Joel Lamangan, and Jose Javier Reyes.

Despite steadily building his résumé, he insists he still has much to learn. “I don’t think I’m at the point in my career where I can be overly selective yet,” he said. “I’m open to projects that challenge me and help me grow.”

He welcomes opportunities from both established filmmakers and student directors, believing every production offers valuable lessons. The only projects he has turned down were those where he felt acting was treated as an afterthought rather than a craft deserving of respect.

Looking ahead, Relosa hopes to explore horror and action films while pursuing his long-term dream of working on international productions.

But if given a choice today between a blockbuster, a Hollywood project, or a critically acclaimed independent film, his answer remains the same.

“My biggest goal as an actor is to be part of stories that leave a lasting impact on people,” he said.

For Relosa, success isn’t about erasing the chapter that introduced him to audiences. It’s about continuing to add new ones until the label that once defined him becomes only a footnote in a much bigger story.

“I want people to look at my filmography years from now and say, ‘He never stopped challenging himself.’ That’s when I’d feel like I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”

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