Throwback Thursday: I'm Acting!

I think for someone who doesn’t really know me, I might come off as a quiet and shy person. Very reserved. Very demure. Very “oh he’s so soft-spoken”.

But tell that to my closest friends (not my family, because they also think I’m quiet and shy) and they’ll probably laugh first before saying, “Anything but.”

I guess that side of me comes from my love for being in the spotlight. And honestly? It’s been there since I was little.

Growing up, I joined anything that required me to be in front of people. Storytelling competitions in primary school? Yes. Choral speaking? Of course. Group singing? Sign me up. But out of everything, there was one thing I loved the most—acting.

I would join any acting opportunity I could find. School dramas, theatre camps, competitions—you name it. Even during my diploma and degree years, I was still actively involved. In fact, during one of our faculty drama nights, I was awarded Best Actor, which is still one of my proudest moments to date.

In high school alone, I joined a theatre camp and participated in almost every drama competition available. Even during Boy Scout camp (yes, Boy Scout camp), I convinced my team to reenact a historical moment for talent night. While everyone else was singing or doing skits for fun, I was out there directing scenes like it was opening night at Istana Budaya.

I just love acting.

So why didn’t I pursue TV or movies?

Simple answer: I didn’t think I had the look. I wasn’t confident with the way I looked, and back then, that mattered a lot to me. Acting felt like something I loved deeply, but not something I was “meant” to do professionally. If I’m being honest, if an opportunity ever came knocking—even now—I’d still take it. But realistically? It feels impossible.

So how do I satisfy my acting cravings?

I act among my friends.

Sometimes I create scenarios. Sometimes I exaggerate stories. Sometimes I tell harmless white lies just to see how well I can sell the act. Most of the time, they play along. Other times, they catch on halfway and just laugh it off. Either way, it scratches that itch.

It’s funny how some parts of you never really go away. They just evolve, find new outlets, and quietly wait for the right moment to resurface.

So if anyone out there is casting for a horror movie—

I’m ready.

Let me scream, cry, run for my life, or get possessed. I’ve been practicing my whole life.