Khalil Ramos across stages, screens and streams

Khalil Ramos isn’t just participating in the arts scene — he’s actively shaping it. This multi-talented artist is currently a whirlwind of creative energy, seamlessly navigating lead roles across theater, independent film, and the ever-expanding landscape of digital streaming.

From the poignant stage play Liwanag sa Dilim to his Best Actor win at the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival for Olsen’s Day, and with highly anticipated appearances in Netflix’s How To Cheat Death and the upcoming musical romance film One Hit Wonder alongside Sue Ramirez, Khalil is proving that his passion knows no bounds and versatility is his superpower.

It’s a full-on creative blitz for Khalil, dominating the realms of live performance, cinematic storytelling and the binge-worthy world of digital series, all at once. There’s a palpable sense of momentum surrounding him, a feeling that his dedication to his craft is an unstoppable force. Whether he’s embodying a character on a physical stage, inhabiting a role on the silver screen, or bringing a persona to life for streaming audiences, Khalil possesses an uncanny ability to fully immerse himself. The moment he steps into those shoes, the Khalil we know fades, replaced by the compelling individual he’s tasked with portraying.

Theater role

In 9 Works Theatrical’s Liwanag sa Dilim, Khalil takes on the vibrant role of Elesi, a sharp-witted Gen Z individual embarking on a journey of self-discovery and ancestral understanding. Along his path, he forges a meaningful connection with Cris, a kind and dignified soul who quickly becomes a trusted friend. Together, Elesi and Cris wear their hearts openly, dedicating themselves to fighting for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

Khalil’s portrayal of Elesi resonates deeply because of its inherent humanity. Audiences, regardless of age, find themselves effortlessly connecting with Elesi’s experiences and vulnerabilities. While Elesi’s life story is uniquely his own, Khalil’s nuanced depiction transforms him into someone real, someone grappling with identity, cherishing friendships and using his position to advocate for the rights of the less privileged.

His performance in Liwanag sa Dilim is a masterclass in balance, seamlessly weaving together moments of heartfelt drama with perfectly timed comedic relief. The jokes land naturally, his delivery is smooth, and his improvisational moments shine with a brilliance all their own. There’s a distinct spark in Khalil when he commands the theatrical stage; simply put, he owns it.

Movie role

Transitioning to the world of cinema, Khalil undergoes a remarkable transformation in the PureGold CinePanalo Film Festival 2025 entry, Olsen’s Day. Directed by the acclaimed JP Habac, the film intimately follows Olsen (Khalil), a 30-year-old radio broadcast researcher who finds himself on an unexpected road trip with an unusual father and son duo.

Khalil embodies Olsen with a profound sense of gentleness and inherent kindness. Given the personal nature of the film for director JP Habac, it’s evident that Khalil approached the role with deep compassion, allowing his creativity to flow freely within the character’s emotional landscape. His portrayal of Olsen, a character with whom he clearly connected, allows the audience to engage with the narrative on an intimate level without feeling overshadowed by the performance itself.

In a recent interview, Khalil shared his insights into the film: “It’s a story of love, family, and of a lot of things actually even isolation, loneliness. It just covers so much that is relevant in today’s world. I, myself, resonated with the character a lot while shooting the entire film.”

He further elaborated on the collaborative process: “It’s such an introspective journey even as an actor because the movie is very talky, it’s a dialogue-heavy movie which I love. My co-actor kuya Romnick is an incredible actor — he’s so generous, he’s so giving. He brings so much into a scene that almost to a point I don’t feel like I’m working. It felt like I was just talking to someone that’s so insightful.”

Khalil’s seamless and heartfelt portrayal of Olsen rightfully earned him the title of Best Actor at this year’s Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. As a familiar and respected face in the independent film scene, with notable credits including 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and Dead Kids, this recognition feels like a well-deserved milestone in his already impressive career.

Netflix outings

Never one to be confined by medium, Khalil now steps confidently into the digital streaming arena, once again showcasing his transformative abilities in the upcoming Netflix series, How to Cheat Death. Set to premiere on 2 April, the show marks the highly anticipated reunion of Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia after their successful collaboration in Love You Stranger. The intriguing premise follows Miguel (Khalil) and Lara (Gabbi), two strangers whose lives are forever changed when a lightning strike grants them the extraordinary ability to see the future. Armed with this newfound power, they embark on a mission to help others escape their impending deaths.

While audiences are yet to fully discover the nuances of Khalil’s portrayal of Miguel, a creative soul with a passion for photography who believes in the power of saving lives, there’s a strong sense of anticipation that he will once again deliver a compelling and memorable performance. His track record in well-received series such as Maria Clara at Ibarra, Love You Strangers and Simula Sa Gitna speaks volumes about his ability to captivate viewers.

Khalil is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix musical romance drama film, One Hit Wonder, where he will share the screen with Sue Ramirez. While the streaming giant has yet to reveal specific details about the film’s storyline and their respective characters, the prospect of Khalil in a musical setting is undoubtedly exciting.

Having previously shone in musical productions like Tik Tik Boom, L.S.S. and most recently Liwanag sa Dilim, there’s no doubt that he will bring his vocal talents and stage presence to this new project.

It’s clear that 2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for Khalil Ramos, and we’re only a quarter of the way through.