Raven Rigor is the Chief of His Own Game

High school students in the Philippines are built differently. With classes that start as early as seven in the morning and stretch until five in the afternoon, often followed by an extra hour or two for extracurricular activities, they still find the energy to show up and push through. For those who are part of campus publications, especially those “Batang Presscon” who regularly join inter-school journalism competitions like the National Schools Press Conference, that level of commitment goes even further.

One of those active students in high school back then is Kapamilya actor Raven Rigor, who once served not just as a staffer but rose to become editor-in-chief of their school paper. That same level of dedication as an EIC carried over beyond campus journalism, as he eventually set aside his “Batang Presscon” badge and stepped into his growing role as a promising young actor. 

Chief mindset Many may recognize the Star Magic talent on social media for his charm and photogenic appeal. Well, he has no bad angles and never seems to take an unflattering photo. But beyond the online presence, what truly tested and shaped his craft was his stint in the mystery drama series loved by many, “Dirty Linen.” 

While it wasn’t his first acting experience, having already earned praise for his performance in the iWant series “Beach Bros,” it was during “Dirty Linen” that he encountered a wave of criticism that challenged him in a new way.

Despite the wave of negative feedback, he chose to take it as motivation rather than discouragement, using the comments as fuel to improve, saying, “I never took the negativity to heart and focused on how I can improve, as in ‘yon ang goal ko: to become a great actor.”

His portrayal of Clint Pavia in “Dirty Linen” became a turning point that opened his eyes to how much more he could offer as a performer. 

“I became certain that I wanna make a name for myself after Dirty Linen, na pwede pala, kaya pala, posible naman pala. Sabi ko sa sarili ko na no amount of setbacks is going to make me falter,” he adds. 

He also recalls receiving meaningful pieces of advice from co-star Angel Aquino. During a car ride back to Manila after a taping in Batangas, where he was with her and Xyriel Manabat, he opened up about his worries as a newcomer. He describes the veteran actress as warm and generous, noting how she simply listened before encouraging him to block out the noise and focus on self-improvement. That piece of advice, he says, has stayed with him and continues to guide his mindset. 

Equally significant was his experience working with Xyriel, who played his sister in the series. He fondly shares how their on- and off-cam dynamic felt genuine, especially during challenging scenes. He recalls, “she held my hand and in that moment she felt like a real sister to me. I’ve always prayed na makatrabaho ko siya ulit, sabi ko kay Lord this time po gagalingan ko na talaga.”

And lo and behold, his prayer has been granted as he gets to work with the Pinoy Big Brother: Collab Season 1 ex-housemate, a collaboration that is now coming to fruition with their upcoming project “Miss Behave.”

Actor behavior When asked about the kind of roles he hopes to take on in the future, he expresses a strong interest in portraying characters that differ from his usual “Raven” persona—a shy, introverted guy in real life.  “As an actor, I think the magic happens when you get to explore lives and perspectives you’ve never experienced before,” he shares. 

At the same time, he makes it a point to stay grounded in his identity by bringing parts of himself into every character he portrays. He shares that it becomes creatively fulfilling when he, as someone naturally reserved, is challenged to play roles that are bold, aggressive, or even antagonistic.

One role he is particularly excited about is his character “Ant” in “Miss Behave.” He describes the character as complex and distinct from his previous portrayals, saying it stands out as something he has never done before. Feeling both eager and nervous, he also admits that the role already ranks among his favorites and emphasizes how the challenge it presents is a major reason for his excitement.  “A big chunk why I love him is because alam ko na he’s gonna be a very challenging role to portray, sobrang kinakabahan ako to do it, and that’s what I love about him,” he acknowledges.  Moreover, aside from his role in the upcoming series, he also wants to do a series similar to “Euphoria” or “Elite,” noting that he’s at the perfect age to do it.

Rigorously driven Having started his acting journey in 2021, Raven has learned to embody patience and persistence, grounding himself in daily manifestation as part of his process. He points out that many people often perceive acting as purely glamorous, but in reality, it involves a great deal of rejection and uncertainty.

He candidly shares that behind the scenes, auditions don’t always lead to immediate success. “There’s a lot of waiting, for instance, ‘di alam ng mga tao na I audition a lot and one time, five auditions straight, rejected ako sa lahat. I waited for months. Kahit isa lang, okay na ako.”

That patience eventually paid off, as he welcomed two new projects in 2026 with “Miss Behave” and “The Day I Loved You Season 2,” a milestone he described as greatly fulfilling. In those moments of anticipation and waiting, he emphasizes that he wasn’t idle: “Excited ako sa lahat, and sa totoo lang in those moments na naghihintay ako, I was preparing and also manifesting a lot. I manifest every single day.”

Now that he has done “Beach Bros,” “Dirty Linen,” and the recent “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” and has landed a role in “Miss Behave” and “The Day I Loved You Season 2,” who knows, Raven might just become a hopeless romantic “lover boy,” as he has also expressed interest in someday being part of projects similar to “Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story” and “The Loved One.”

After all, he’s built differently—he’s prepared for this. Like a true editor-in-chief, Raven knows all too well how to handle deadlines, long periods of waiting, and the pressure that comes with both. He carries the same discipline and composure that once defined him on campus into his acting journey.

“I know in my heart that the only way is up,” he quips. “I will definitely enjoy, rest, and have a blast, but I’ll never quit.”

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Photography by Sherie Bolo with Jyllan Bitalac

Art Direction by Joe Andy

Cover story and Interview by Hans Ethan Carbonilla

Hair and Grooming by Bhads Castor

Styling by Raine Robo

Produced and Shoot Coordination by Cha Canicosa of SugarDolls

Shot at One Hectare Creative Grounds

Special thanks to Rens Dingli and Starmagic

Raven is wearing Bershka, Pull&Bear and HLA