MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE) -- Actor Martin del Rosario will portray a transgender pageant winner in an upcoming episode of the long-running drama anthology "Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)."
Scheduled to air on Saturday, May 18, the episode will see the 20-year-old actor wearing high heels and long gowns as Kevin Balot, the Filipino transgender who won the 2012 Miss International Queen pageant held in Thailand.
The 21-year-old Balot bested 21 other transgender beauties from 15 countries to take home the Philippines' first crown from the international pageant.
"I dared to do the role. I did it. Hope u watch mmk sa sabado," del Rosario said on Twitter.
Kevin Balot and Martin del Rosario. Photo from Balot's Twitter page
"Reading all ur tweets. Sobrang salamat! Thanks for all the support... Overwhelmed ako sa positive tweets nyo sa mmk. Thank you!!" he added.
"Bakit lahat nagagandahan sa akin? di ba pwedeng guapo naman? HAHAH!"
As Balot in "MMK," del Rosario portrays the only boy of three siblings, who struggles with his real identity to fulfill his father's dream for him to become an engineer.
His relationship with his parents change when he finally decides to admit his sexual preference, and openly join beauty contests.
Directed by Mae Czarina Cruz, this Saturday's episode of "MMK" will also feature Al Tantay, Shamaine Centenera, Kokoy De Santo, Kristel Fulgar, Toby Alejar, Emmanuelle Vera, Cheska Billones, Louise Bernardo, Princess Freking and Dax Bayani.
