Meet the Pinoy in 'Dune Part 2,' who also happens to be a bit of a celebrity in Hungary
Rebomafil Cipriano Bayot II just finished what might be his biggest gig yet—becoming a part of one of the most celebrated movies in recent history: Dune Part 2.
This University of the Philippines graduate of architecture simply wanted to go to Hungary and get his master’s degree. But somewhere along the way, he found himself as a popular contestant in X-Faktor, the Hungarian version of the popular British music talent show, X-Factor.
Rambo, as he is now known, readily admits that he is not a professional singer. Yet there was something about him that the judges in X-Faktor saw that they all said yes. From there, gigs as an extra in movies began piling up. He was cast in movies such as 2023’s Gran Turismo, and European series such as the Swedish version of The Crown. And his latest just happens to be one of the biggest Hollywood blockbuster movies of 2024.
Rambo is currently taking up his PhD in Landscape Architecture and Ecology in Hungary. PhilSTAR L!fe got in touch with this accidental Pinoy celebrity in Central Europe, and it turns out his whirlwind rise to fame in that part of the world is, well, just like a Hollywood movie.
When did you first go to Hungary and what were your plans after leaving the Philippines?
Back in 2014, I did not know much about Hungary. I had a long-distance relationship with a girl from Hungary, pero hindi kami nagkatuluyan. But because of her, I got to know about Hungary, kaya ako na-inspire mag-travel dito.
How did an architecture student getting his master’s degree end up in show business in Hungary?
I applied for a scholarship in 2018 with the Stipendium Hungaricum program. Unfortunately, I was rejected when I was interviewed by CHED (Commission on Higher Education). I spent the year strengthening my credentials. I took the Civil Service Exam in 2018 and I was the topnotcher that year. I also passed the architect licensure exam. In 2019, I applied again for the scholarship and I finally passed. I took my Masters of Science in Architecture in Hungary. I graduated in 2022, pero I joined X-Faktor while taking my masters.
What drove you to join X-Faktor there?
Fil 'yung nickname ko dati nung nasa UP ako. Binubully ako dati kasi obese, dorky, at weird ako. Nag-try akong mag-theater sa school dati, pero hindi ako nabibigyan ng opportunity. Na-criticize pa nga ako na delusional daw ako, so na-discourage ako mag pursue ng performing arts. Hindi ko talaga in-imagine na magsho-showbiz ako. Hard worker naman ako, so ginalingan ko na lang sa school.
Pagdating ko sa Hungary, naging close ako dun sa isang girl, tapos na in love ako sa kanya. Kaya lang pinaasa niya ako, tapos nagpakasal siya sa ibang guy. Na-insecure ako noon kaya sinabi ko sa kanya, "One day, you'll see me on TV, and you'll regret it.”
After noon, na-motivate ako mag-character development. Ginamit ko 'yung COVID lockdown para magpaka-fit. Nag-diet at exercise ako. I lost 20 kg in 2020. Tumutugtog ako ng drums sa church dito. 'Yun 'yung nag-help sa akin maging confident sa stage. Tapos feel ko na hindi na bagay 'yung name na Fil, so Rambo na 'yung ginamit kong name.
Hindi naman ako professional singer, pero na-impress sa akin 'yung isang Hungarian friend ko. Ni-refer niya ako mag-join sa X-Faktor. Nag-apply ako nung 2020, pero na-cancel dahil sa COVID, so akala ko hindi na tuloy. Fortunately, they called me again nung 2021. I was lucky because hindi lahat ng nag-audition nafi-feature sa TV. Kinanta ko 'yung See You Again. I got 4 yeses from the judges tapos I got dun sa X-Faktor bootcamp. May trainers doon so dun na-train 'yung skills ko mag-perform. Nag-viral sa TikTok Hungary 'yung performance ko. 'Pag lumalabas ako sa street, nagpapa-picture sa akin 'yung mga fans, especially 'pag pumupunta ako sa province.
Did a lot of projects open up for you now that you are recognized as a celebrity there?
Yes, tuloy-tuloy 'yung mga projects since 2022. First 'yung Dune, then Gran Turismo, one of the Annabelle movies, The Crown (Swedish Series). May series din Halo, FBI (German series), at ibang shows at commercials sa ibang countries sa EU.
'Yung biggest role ko is 'yung pagiging co-host sa Magyarország Szeretlek (I Love Hungary). Thirteen years running na 'yung show na 'yun, every Sunday evening. Game show 'yun tapos every week, may mga guests na Hungarian celebrities, so marami na ako naka-work na artista sa Hungary. Ang astig kasi kilala din nila ako.
Are you still an immigrant there in Hungary? Do you plan on staying there for good?
Yes, immigrant pa rin, pero I plan to stay in Hungary for good kasi nandito 'yung fiancée ko. We plan to get married this year at mag-start ng family.
Tell us how you got the gig as an actor in Dune Part 2. Did you have any idea how big the movie would get when you got the part?
After X-Faktor, kinontak ako ng isang agency kasi kilala nila ako, in-invite ako dun sa shooting. Nung una, 'di nila ni-reveal 'yung title kasi top secret. First time ko 'yun sa Hollywood na film. Hindi ako masyado familiar sa Dune, hindi ko napanood 'yung first movie. Pagdating dun sa set, nagulat na lang ako, kaharap ko na sila Timothée Chalamet at Zendaya. 'Di nga ako makapaniwala at first.
Were you also able to interact with them? How were they as co-actors?
I was in the same scenes with Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, pati 'yung ibang cast. Si Timothée, medyo tahimik talaga. Ang dami kasi niyang action scenes, tapos siya mismo 'yung nag-act ng mga stunts niya, so naka focus talaga siya. Pero nakaka-inspire talaga kasi dedicated talaga siya sa character nya. May scene na pinat ko 'yung shoulder ni Zendaya. Off screen, super friendly talaga siya, nakakausap namin, laging naka-smile, hindi maarte tapos charming siya sa personal.
How did you find Denis Villeneuve as a director?
'Yung director, si Denis Villeneuve, perfectionist siya, pero understandable naman kasi malaking production 'yun, ang laki ng budget, at ang massive talaga ng set. Ang daming take bawat scene. One time, isang scene one week shinoot. 'yung ibang days, minsan umabot ng 16 hours, pero mino-motivate naman kami ni Denis.
Did you have any dialogue in the movie?
Mga background chatter lang, tapos 'pag nag-chant ng Fremen language.
How were the costumes? Did you have a hard time moving around with it?
Super detailed 'yung Fremen stillsuits, pati 'yung knife. 'Yun nga lang, mabigat 'yung suit. Masikip tapos hirap tanggalin kasi one piece, so ang hirap mag toilet. Actually, binutasan ko 'yung suit gamit 'yung knife kasi sandali lang 'yung toilet break.
How was the set?
I am amazed at how the producers recreated the vast Dune universe. Hindi lahat CGI, nag-invest talaga sila mag-build ng set at practical effects. I even got to ride the mechanical sandworm! Hindi ko napanood 'yung first movie, so spoiler lahat.
How excited were your family members at the news that you are in Dune Part 2?
'Yung older brother ko lang 'yung familiar sa Dune series so na-excite siya for me. 'yung parents ko hindi nila kilala si Timothée at Zendaya so hindi nila alam na big project 'yung Dune. Pero nung nakita nila 'yung trailer, naalala nila ako tapos syempre proud sila sa akin.
Do a lot of Filipinos there in Europe recognize you as a celebrity?
Yes, especially sa Hungary, kilala ako ng Filipino community dito as an actor. Minsan may mga haters, pero part naman talaga 'yun ng showbiz. Mas marami pa rin 'yung mga supporters, tapos proud sila for me as a Filipino in the film industry.
What’s next for you? Are there any other big projects in the pipeline?
Tuloy pa din 'yung mga projects. Continue ako sa Magyarorszag Szeretlek every Sunday. May invites din ako para sa ibang TV shows sa Hungary, like Big Brother. 'Yun lang umayaw 'yung fiancée ko dun sa Big Brother. Nandoon din ako sa upcoming music video ng isang major singing superstar.
'Yun lang, super grateful ako sa mga nag-believe at nag-motivate sa akin. I'm proud to represent Filipino performers in the world stage. Gusto ko i-motivate 'yung mga nakaka-experience ng failure na huwag ma-discourage. Wala naman talagang magaling sa umpisa, pero nadadaan naman sa practice. Keep trying hanggang maging successful. Kung kaya ng iba mag-excel, kaya din natin!