Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Blaine Tiglao.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I remember when I was about eight years old, our family had a camcorder we usually used for special occasions like birthdays or holidays. But I decided to use it every time my friends came over. We’d film ourselves imitating MTV music videos, re-creating scenes from our favorite movies, or just doing random funny skits that would make us laugh when we played them back. We never knew what we were doing; we just knew it was fun.
Watching movies and playing sports were the things I loved most growing up. But in an Asian household, academics always came first. Sports and performing arts were considered hobbies — extracurriculars with no stability. So I put them on the backburner to focus on what was expected of me: getting good grades and building a stable future.
I followed the path I was taught — study hard, play it safe, build stability. That led me to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy, a career I’m genuinely proud of because it’s rooted in service, empathy, and helping people heal. Yet even after reaching that milestone, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. I had stability, but I wanted more — not in status or money, but in meaning.
I vividly remember one night studying for an exam, and my mind started to wander. I caught myself thinking, “Is this it? After I graduate, that’s cool, I’ll be a physical therapist… but why doesn’t that feel fulfilling? Is this my life for the next 20 or 30 years?” I missed that creative spark that made me feel alive as a kid with a camcorder — endlessly laughing and smiling at the playbacks.
In 2022, after passing my board exam and starting my physical therapy career, I decided to take a leap and enroll in acting classes at LA Acting Studio SD, where I trained in the Hybrid Meisner Technique. That decision changed everything. Acting dug up a version of me that had been buried and suffocated for over twenty years. I rediscovered parts of myself I didn’t realize I’d lost — vulnerability, emotional truth, and self-awareness.
The decision to pursue acting didn’t just give me catharsis or a new craft — it saved my life. It’s made me more emotionally intelligent, more patient, and more present. My relationships have grown deeper and more meaningful. Not only have I improved as an actor, but, more importantly, as a brother, son, friend, and one day, a husband and father.
Since starting this creative journey, I’ve been blessed to appear in my first feature film (“The Master Chief”) directed by Chris Soriano, my first stage play (“Every Day Vanilla”) written by Lani Gobaleza and directed by Earl Paus, and now as one of the leads in two upcoming short films — “Manila Sunset” directed by Kiani Williams and Duran Ross, and “Colorette” directed by Edrian Pangilinan. Each project I have been a part of reminded me why I love storytelling — it connects people through honesty and emotion.
Now in my 30s, I’m realizing that life doesn’t end once you find stability — sometimes, that’s exactly when it begins. You don’t have to choose between structure and passion. Why not have both? My story is a reminder that it’s never too late to rediscover who you are.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road to get to where I am today. For the longest time, I thought becoming a physical therapist was the end goal. But in 2019, during my gap year before PT school, I took a drama class at the community college and immediately fell in love with performing.
When registration opened for the next semester, my PT school acceptance letter arrived the exact same day. As crazy as it sounds, part of me wanted to decline it and chase acting full-time — but I couldn’t bring myself to throw away years of hard work, or disappoint my Filipino parents who sacrificed so much to support my education. So I told myself, “Finish what you started — acting will still be there when you’re ready.”
Living with that tension was its own struggle — having a secure future in front of me while knowing something deeper was calling. It became a constant internal battle throughout school.
And speaking of school — PT school was the most stressful period of my life. I don’t recommend grad school unless you’re truly passionate about what you’re studying, because the curriculum will push you to your limits. I always described it as “drinking out of a fire hose.” There were nights I laid in bed, exhausted from studying, staring at the ceiling and wondering what I had gotten myself into and whether I’d made the right choice.
I had to keep reminding myself of the bigger picture — that if I pushed through, my passion for acting would still be waiting for me at the finish line.
Fast-forward to 2022, when I finally stepped into acting — and ironically, the challenges continued, just in a different way. I struggled to be vulnerable, especially when scene work triggered past traumas. I had absorbed elements of toxic masculinity growing up — the belief that men should stay guarded, composed, and “macho.” Breaking that tough exterior in class felt uncomfortable and exposing at first.
But acting pushed me to confront that version of myself I once thought was unbreakable. It taught me that real strength lives in emotional honesty. Learning to be vulnerable not only made me a better actor — it made me a better communicator and strengthened my relationships.
For a long time, I feared being judged — feared people would see me as “less of a man” for crying or expressing when I was hurt, for choosing softness, creativity, and emotion. But breaking through those walls doesn’t make you weaker — it frees you.
So no, my path hasn’t been smooth. But if there’s anything my journey has taught me, it’s this: obstacles will always show up — one after another. I got through one in PT school, and a new one appeared in acting. That’s life. But when you move with purpose — when you know what’s pulling you forward — that purpose will carry you through every finish line.
I’m still growing, still learning, still becoming — and none of it would have been possible if I hadn’t taken the risk to bet on myself. You’re allowed to rewrite the rules. You’re allowed to become someone your younger self would be proud of. And you’re allowed to choose a life that feels true.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a full-time home health physical therapist, and helping others is something I’ve always naturally gravitated toward. There’s a fulfillment that comes from watching patients regain the ability to do the activities they love — especially in home health, where the progress is happening right in their own environment. Many people don’t realize how unsafe or limited patients feel coming back home after a surgery, a fall, or a hospitalization. Being the person who helps restore not just their movement, but their confidence in everyday life, is something I truly value.
Outside of work, acting has become my creative outlet and a huge part of my identity. It has pushed me to be present moment to moment, emotionally honest, and grounded in truth. I’m especially drawn to characters who have an arc — who start one way and end another — because that mirrors how I see life. Growth isn’t just something I portray; it’s something I strive for every day.
What I’m most proud of is my work ethic. No matter what room I’m in, I hold myself to the highest standard. When I am fortunate enough to have someone trust me to portray a character in their story, I show up fully — prepared, committed, and dedicated to bringing my character to life in the most authentic way possible.
I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given these past few years — from my first feature film and my first stage play to now portraying lead roles in upcoming projects like “Manila Sunset” and “Colorette” which will be premiering soon. Stay tuned! It’s humbling to carry a story, and I’m excited to keep growing, keep learning, and continue earning the trust to do it again and again.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
My Google Calendar— I rely way too much on it. Without it, I’d probably miss half my life. Every part of my schedule is color-coded — from work, to acting, the gym, birthdays, etc.
I know social media gets a bad rap sometimes, but Instagram is honestly a big source of motivation and inspiration for me. All my friends know me as the guy who sends motivational reels and quotes — my #FYP is filled with them. As much as those messages help me, I believe life’s better when you uplift the people you love with you — even if they’re probably annoyed with the 15 reels I send before noon. I recently shared a post with the quote, “I’d rather be tired from the work than broke from the laziness.” I want success for myself, but also for the circle I surround myself with. Wins feel better when the whole team is winning too. As they say, “A rising tide lifts all ships.” I’ve always thought of myself as ambitious (maybe too ambitious sometimes), but since I was young my mom told me to “shoot for the moon and land among the stars”. My biggest fear is to look back on my life and think, “Darn… I should’ve tried harder.”
Between the color-coded chaos of my Google Calendar, the motivational Instagram reels I live by, and the family and friends who keep me going — I’m grateful for everything that’s helped me get to where I am today. I’m still learning and figuring things out, but I’m thankful for the direction I’m heading and excited for the next stage of growth.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: IG: @kylebtiglao
- Facebook: Tiktok: @kbtigs
- Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm14931851/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk
Image Credits
Robert Ryan, Gelo Macale, Ty Ross, Lexie Puzon
