Alumnus gets spot in Master Series Acting Workshop
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
Kaloy Estrella, an alumnus of the Far Eastern University (FEU) Department of Communication, is among the next generation of Filipino screen actors to be nurtured by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) in its latest workshop.
Earning a spot in The Master Series: FDCP Acting Workshop for Filipino Talents 2026, facilitated by veteran directors Jose Javier Reyes, Laurice Guillen, and Joel Lamangan, is no small feat. Looking at Estrella’s acting resume, it is clear he did not just stumble into the room, but he got it through his sheer grit and undeniable versatility.
“One thing I’ve always heard in theater is, ‘be in the moment.’ Right now, I honestly don’t know what I’m feeling. Everything still feels surreal. But this is the first time I’ve really felt that just showing up can create something truly magical,” said Estrella.
Before making waves in front of the camera, Estrella sharpened his tools onstage, proving his mettle in both classical straight plays and contemporary musicals. He took on the roles of Basilio, Estudyante, and Binatang Ibarra in Gantimpala Theater Productions’ and Artist Playground's staging of “Noli Me Tangere: Kaming mga Nangalagas sa Dilim ng Gabi/ Noli Me Tangere: We Who Fell in the Darkness of the Night.” He also portrayed 'Batang Florante' in “Florante at Laura/Florante and Laura.”
Estrella has also been a mainstay in musical ensembles, including Artist Playground’s “Mga Awit ng Ibong Adarna/ Songs of the Adarna Bird” and Tanghalang Una Obra’s “Jeproks: The Musical” and “Dear OWWA.” Never one to shy away from raw narrative, he starred as Esteban in the FEU theater production “Mali ba ang Mangarap sa Mundong Puno ng Takot? Mali!/ Is it wrong to dream in a world full of fear? Wrong!”
In addition, Estrella has become one of the leading choices for student and independent filmmakers across the country. He starred as Rimo in John Alex Estrella’s Sine Kabataan entry “Pantog/ Bladder,” and took the lead in Patrick Pangan’s “Bagito/ Beginner” under the Mowelfund Film Institute.
Just this year, he headlined “Pabalik-balik/ Back and forth” for the University of the Philippines Film Institute and “Eskinita/ Alley” for National University Laguna. This follows years of leading roles in short films for FEU Manila, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Asia Pacific College, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, and UST Angelicum College, among others.
His rich background even caught the attention of mainstream television, landing him the role of Minyong in GMA Entertainment Group’s historical drama series “Pulang Araw/Red Sun.”
Good actors can pivot between high art and commercial appeal, and Estrella has done exactly that. This year alone, he has turned into a commercial model for brands such as Burger King, Efficascent Oil, and Arthaland, just to name a few.
He has also lent his screen presence to the music scene, starring in Benj Pangilinan’s “Love, That’s Rare” (Sony Music Philippines) and CHRSTN’s “Paksa/ Subject” (O/C Records).
With a background that bridges the discipline of the stage, the intimacy of indie film, and the charisma of mainstream media, Estrella is already a remarkable talent. His acceptance into the FDCP acting workshop is not just a personal milestone, but also a reminder that Estrella is just getting started.
To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Communication program, please visit the following link: https://www.feu.edu.ph/institute-of-arts-and-sciences/bachelor-of-arts-in-communication/
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