For Kier Legaspi, the adage, ‘once an actor, always an actor,’ is real.

He had a self-imposed showbiz hiatus for a while including the pandemic years and now, he is back on the grind. This time, at the Kapuso Network’s biggest upcoming action-packed primetime series, Black Rider.

Christopher Lim Legaspi in real life, Kier is known for his villain roles in the 90s. But he has proven his versatility as an actor by portraying many roles both on the big screen and the television series. It isn’t surprising that acting runs on his genes. He is after all the son of veteran actor Lito Legaspi and the younger brother of fellow actors Zoren Legaspi and Brando Legaspi.  

Kier met a group of entertainment media recently during a post-birthday celebration of showbiz writer Pilar Mateo in Quezon City. He was more than happy to meet the group.

“Kamusta kayo? As for myself, I’m very happy. I’m enjoying my married life. I’m satisfied and I’m living a quiet life now,” he started.

Kier revealed that he stopped acting for a while due to burn-out. “Kasi matagal na ko umaarte, so nung naramdaman ko na medyo burn out ako, I stopped. Kasi pag burn out ka, nawawala yung performance mo, yung init sa pag arte. And then, I focused on my marriage life too! Nagtayo kami ng small food business ng wife ko and everything went well naman,” he explained.

“But I love acting so much kaya babalik na ako! Na-miss ko talaga ang acting. Nasa Black Rider ako which will debut on television on November 6!” he said excitedly.

Is he finally back as an actor?

“Yes. Nung sinabi ko na I decided to stop, may mga offers pa din, pero namimili na ako. I stopped kasi ayoko bumaba yung level of acting. I’m very transparent, kapag ayoko makikita mo agad. Kapag pagod ako, ayoko. Inayawan ko yung ibang offers kasi ayan na naman, gusto ko iba naman like something challenging, kaya ako naging versatile actor.

“Before, habang gumagawa ako ng action movies, nagda-drama ako sa TV pero ang napansin ng mga tao ay yung action move ko sa pelikula. Pero sobrang ibang-iba na ang showbiz ngayon. Naninibago ako especially kapag dumadating ako sa set. Yung mga kakilala ko like directors, wala na. Yung mga nakakita sakin nung kabataan ko, unti- unting nawawala at nakakalungkot. Ako pa naman malapit sa mga crew and sa production staff,” he said.

Enjoying life and new-found business

To keep himself busy during his showbiz vacation, Kier trained for various sports such as running, muay thai/jujitsu, tennis and golf. He even joined several marathons. He also had a lot of good time with her second daughter. Kier himself posted these events in his own FaceBook and IG accounts.

For the chance interview, Kier announced that he has been married for nine years now to his non-showbiz girlfriend of nine years.

“So, we have a total of 18 years together now. Sobrang daming adjusments nung kinasal kami but okay lahat and I’m very happy now. My wife is a very private person. She’s beautiful at magaling sya magluto. Kaya ako ganito kasi magaling sya mag-alaga,” Kier said referring to his quite cheeky self during the chance interview.  

“For now, wala pa kaming anak and it’s okay sa kanya kasi workaholic sya. So, hindi priority yung magkaroon ng anak for now,” Kier stressed.

Now into the food business, Kier was asked if he cooks.

“No, hindi ako marunong magluto pero I love to eat. Actually, yung food business namin ng wife ko ay sa in-laws ko and we are blessed na binigyan kami ng branch,” Kier said referring to Taste of Joy, a food delivery business for over 30 years. His and his wife’s branch is located at the BGC area and they are planning to have another branch in Quezon City.

Photo courtesy of Kier Legaspi Facebook account

“Puro kasi sa South area makikita ang Taste of Joy kaya plano naming maglagay sa Quezon City. Yung unang branch namin sa Taguig, may dine in at delivery, sobrang sarap,” the proud entrepreneur said.

As for his relationship with her strange daughter Dani Barretto, Kier said, “For now, I just wish her the best and I believe maaayos naman ang lahat in God’s time. Bilang ama, kahit anong mangyari mahal mo yung anak mo. And I’m just here waiting, open yung line ko, wala akong sinaradong pintuan especially now, sa social media so, mas madali akong ma-reach out and makausap. 

When asked if he did really reach out to Dani, he said, “Honestly speaking, I didn’t give up but I stopped. Kasi alam mo yung pilit mong hinahabol pero tumatakbo naman papalayo. Hinahanap mo pero nagtatago kaya ipinasa-Diyos ko na lang lahat. Siguro I stopped for almost 2 years pero nandito lang ako, mahal ko ang mga anak ko,” Kier said.

For now, he wishes his children to have peace in life. “Wag masyado magpaapekto sa mga problema and isa yan sa mga ginagawa ko. Kasi, I believe lahat ng problems ay may solusyon kaya never ako matatakot sa anxiety and depression. Mabibigat din yung dinaanan ko sa buhay, pero hanggang may Diyos ka, kaya mo lahat.” 

Likewise, Kier is thankful for having a good relationship with his siblings. So, what makes the Legaspi siblings to be in good terms? “Never kami nagkaroon ng rivalry ng mga kapatid ko. Kasi for example, madami silang ginagawang magandang projects, in a way naaapektuhan din yung pangalan ko, umangat and vice versa. Tahimik lang kami. Wala namang issue na mabigat sa amin.”

On the millennials/showbiz newbies and dealing with the bashers

How’s show business today with the millennials, may changes ba?

“Oo, madami. Ibang iba. Ang unang napansin ko yung mga artista before kapag dumating ng set ang hawak ay script. Up to now dala-dala ko yun pag dumadating ako sa set. Ngayon, napansin ko pero di ko nilalahat, pero karamihan puro cellphone ang hawak and medyo off para sa ‘kin yon. Kasi ako, gabi pa lang kabisado ko na lahat dahil ayoko sayangin yung oras ng mga tao sa set. Ngayon pag dumadating sa set yung iba, masyado silang relax, tapos di naman nakakapag-perform nang maayos.”

What can you say with the newbies in showbiz?

“Be respectful. Mahalin nyo yung trabaho nyo at paghusayan nyo. Just enjoy, magtyaga at wag magmadali. Be a student of acting. At share ko lang ang turo ng Papa ko, be respectful mula sa production hanggang sa utility.”

Photo courtesy of Kier Legaspi Facebook account

As for Ruru Madrid, the lead star of Black Rider, Kier has kind words to say: “Mabait si Ruru. Palabati and very professional. Even pag puyat di mo maririnig sa kanya na ayoko na, pagod na ko. 

Currently a contract artist of Viva, is Keir ready for bashing and intrigues? “Yes. And you know, I will never leave showbiz. Unang una, mahal na mahal ko ang acting. Pero, I make sure na may limit. Iba yung character ko sa show and iba din sa totoong buhay. Kaya madaming nabibigla pag nakausap ako, bakit ibang iba ka sa personal? Never ko ipaghahalo yun.

“Be disciplined and be smart. Ang artista sikat, pinagkakaguluhan but it’s temporary. Ang real life is you have to pay bills. Ang character ko sa show after shooting tapos na yun, di ko dinadala sa bahay and you can obly do that if you have a good technique,”  

What is his greatest lesson in showbiz? “Kung ano yung tinuro sakin ng Papa ko dati, hanggang ngayon dala ko pa din: Wag magbibigay ng sakit ng ulo sa set, be respectful, gampanan nang mabuti ang mga roles na binibigay sayo.

“Wala naman akong iniba, pero madaming changes talaga. Like sa camera, dati negatibo ngayon digital na. Kaya yung training ko before hindi ko ipagpapalit. Kasi dati pag take two ka, may maririnig ka sa director. Ngayon kahit take 5, delete na lang. Iba talaga yung training before.”

So, how do you choose your projects now? “I think it comes with age, yung pagpupuyat at paghihintay parang di ko na kaya. So, now namimili na ‘ko ng projects. Pag okay ang role and character, go ako. By the way ang role ko sa Black Rider is a kidnapper and I’m very happy na sa pilot week, yun yung exposure ko talaga,” Kier beams with happiness and pride.

Congratulations and welcome back, Kier!