Model and pageant titleholder Calix Esguerra was definitely one of the standout personalities during Bench Fashion Week’s Spring/Summer collections, with his sexy runway walk garnering nearly 2 million views online.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the rising actor opened up about how he reacted after his runway moment started gaining massive attention online.
Courtesy: Sean Tiu
“Nagulat na lang din po ako na nag-boom po yung mga viewers ko dun sa pagrampa ko po. So hindi ko po din expect na mag-viral po. Kasi parang, siyempre, sa akin lang po, hindi naman po ako main model po dun. So hindi ko po expect na mag-viral po kung gano'n kalaki, na gano'n po ba biglaan,” he expressed.
With the viral moment also came a wave of online comments, including some raunchy reactions from netizens. Still, Calix shared that he does not take them negatively.
“For me, I'm doing my passion naman din po eh. At saka, kumbaga, yung para sa akin po. Kumbaga yung hard work ko po sa body ko, yung ginawa kong pag-gym, parang doon ko na lang po ba nilalabas sa Bench Fashion Show na lang din. So for me, hindi naman din po siya na para sa akin na parang nase-sexualize ako. Parang focus ko na lang po talaga yung pag-present ng sarili ko sa stage,” Calix explained.
Calix also got candid, sharing that even his friends and supporters playfully teased him about his now-viral runway walk.
“Yung trending po (na comments). Yun po talaga. So doon po lagi natatawa ako. Laging po nila sinasabi sila sa akin. Yan ang nag-mark na words sa akin. 6 o'clock daw po. Binibiro po nila ako,” he jested.
Courtesy: Sean Tiu
But beyond the sexy viral moment, Calix also opened up about another trending video featuring a throwback clip shared by his aunt, showing him as a child long before becoming a model.
“I think nasa 5 years old ata po ako doon. Sobrang saya ko po, and sobrang parang nakaka-touch po kasi. Yung tita ko po, sobrang proud niya po sa akin. Simula kasi bata ako, nakita ko po na yun. Sobrang supportive kung saan sa lahat ng mga ginagawa ko. Tapos dati po nung hindi po nag-start sa pag-model ko, lagi ko pong sinasabi sa kanya na gusto ko maging model, gusto ko maglakad sa Bench po talaga. So parang nung ngayon na nag-start pa lang po sa industry ko na 'to. Sobrang tuwang-tuwa po siya na parang nakalakad na po sa pangarap ko pong fashion show,” Calix recalled.
SEE RELATED STORY: EXCLUSIVE: Calix Esguerra gears up for Mister Teenager of the Universe 2026
In the meantime, Calix is also set to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Mister Teenager of the Universe pageant happening later this year.