YouTube sensation Bekimon lands a major role in 'Juanita Banana'

ABS-CBN Corporate Communications

<img align='left' src='' alt='' >Bekimon or Bern Josep Persia in real life, gained fame by showcasing modern gay lingo—also widely known as beki language—in short situational videos which he posted on YouTube. Because of this popularity, he has been cast in ABS-CBN's newest soap starring Bianca Manalo, Juanita Banana. 'Happy ako kasi nandito na ako sa ABS-CBN, sa Kapamilya network, thankful ako sa malaking break na ito na binigay ng ABS-CBN. Sobrang nagustuhan ko yung offer nila. Kasi pala natuwa sila (management) sa akin nung nakita nila yung mga videos ko. Sabi nila bet daw nila ako and I should be given a chance kaya thankful talaga ako. They are including my character as Bekimon talaga.' Bekimon was on cloud nine the first time ABS-CBN called to announce the news to him. 'Wala, natulala ako, hanggang ngayon parang hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Nung unang unang meeting ko with ABS-CBN sobrang kinukurot-kurot ko yung sarili ko habang nagme-meeting kami, hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na may mga ganitong nang pag-uusap, dati wala wala lang, laro laro lang yung ginagawa ko.' According to him, he and his friends made the videos just for fun and never expected that it would be a hit on Facebook. Bekimon definitely never imagined that he would make it to mainstream TV. 'Hindi. Hindi ko rin in-expect na tatangkilikin ako sa YouTube at Facebook. Nag-start lang kumalat yung videos sa Facebook then ang dami nang nag-request ng mga sequel and all. Then tinawagan na ako ng mga TV networks, I've guested na kung saan saan.' In Juanita Banana, he plays support to the lead character. 'I am the best friend of Bianca Manalo, or Juanita Banana. Major major role siya. Kaya naloka ako bakit ako ang napili.' He revealed that he and Bianca got along really quick. 'Una pa lang namin nagkita, pictorial pa lang, tawa na siya ng tawa sa akin. Mga ten minutes siyang tawa ng tawa.  'Yung bekimon words, gay lingo talaga siya, traditional gay lingo. The thing is since ako ang unang unang gumawa ng mga videos about it, parang ako na yung naging mukha ng gay lingo. Actually, yung ginagamit ko sa videos hindi pa yun hardcore na lingo, meron pang mas mahihirap nang intindihin at kaming mga bakla na lang talaga ang nagkakaintindihan. Since maraming nanonood sa videos ko, ginagawa ko na mas understandable at mas maa-appreciate ng mga lahat.' Prior to his showbiz gig, Bekimon worked as a call center agent, a profession which he also loved doing. But when the big opportunity came knocking on his door, he knew that he had to make a decision. 'I had to resign dahil dumadami na yung mga offers at guestings, hindi na kaya ng schedule so I had to chose. I thought, why not grab this opportunity because things like this only come once in a lifetime and you have to seize it. I can always go back to corporate world naman if I like, e.'

<img align='left' src='' alt='' >Bekimon or Bern Josep Persia in real life, gained fame by showcasing modern gay lingo—also widely known as beki language—in short situational videos which he posted on YouTube. Because of this popularity, he has been cast in ABS-CBN's newest soap starring Bianca Manalo, Juanita Banana. 'Happy ako kasi nandito na ako sa ABS-CBN, sa Kapamilya network, thankful ako sa malaking break na ito na binigay ng ABS-CBN. Sobrang nagustuhan ko yung offer nila. Kasi pala natuwa sila (management) sa akin nung nakita nila yung mga videos ko. Sabi nila bet daw nila ako and I should be given a chance kaya thankful talaga ako. They are including my character as Bekimon talaga.' Bekimon was on cloud nine the first time ABS-CBN called to announce the news to him. 'Wala, natulala ako, hanggang ngayon parang hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala. Nung unang unang meeting ko with ABS-CBN sobrang kinukurot-kurot ko yung sarili ko habang nagme-meeting kami, hindi talaga ako makapaniwala na may mga ganitong nang pag-uusap, dati wala wala lang, laro laro lang yung ginagawa ko.' According to him, he and his friends made the videos just for fun and never expected that it would be a hit on Facebook. Bekimon definitely never imagined that he would make it to mainstream TV. 'Hindi. Hindi ko rin in-expect na tatangkilikin ako sa YouTube at Facebook. Nag-start lang kumalat yung videos sa Facebook then ang dami nang nag-request ng mga sequel and all. Then tinawagan na ako ng mga TV networks, I've guested na kung saan saan.' In Juanita Banana, he plays support to the lead character. 'I am the best friend of Bianca Manalo, or Juanita Banana. Major major role siya. Kaya naloka ako bakit ako ang napili.' He revealed that he and Bianca got along really quick. 'Una pa lang namin nagkita, pictorial pa lang, tawa na siya ng tawa sa akin. Mga ten minutes siyang tawa ng tawa.  'Yung bekimon words, gay lingo talaga siya, traditional gay lingo. The thing is since ako ang unang unang gumawa ng mga videos about it, parang ako na yung naging mukha ng gay lingo. Actually, yung ginagamit ko sa videos hindi pa yun hardcore na lingo, meron pang mas mahihirap nang intindihin at kaming mga bakla na lang talaga ang nagkakaintindihan. Since maraming nanonood sa videos ko, ginagawa ko na mas understandable at mas maa-appreciate ng mga lahat.' Prior to his showbiz gig, Bekimon worked as a call center agent, a profession which he also loved doing. But when the big opportunity came knocking on his door, he knew that he had to make a decision. 'I had to resign dahil dumadami na yung mga offers at guestings, hindi na kaya ng schedule so I had to chose. I thought, why not grab this opportunity because things like this only come once in a lifetime and you have to seize it. I can always go back to corporate world naman if I like, e.'

Online hit Bekimon is excited to be part of ABS-CBN's newest teleserye 'Juanita Banana.'

YouTube sensation Bekimon lands a major role in 'Juanita Banana' | PUSH.COM.PH