A post shared by Ok 9 (@empoy) on Sep 30, 2017 at 7:01pm PDT

Empoy Marquez is keeping it real.

The "Kita Kita" star said that he never thought of having cosmetic surgery, when asked about his thoughts on the practice, even if he doesn't have the face many would describe as handsome.

"Hindi po pumasok sa isip ko iyon," he told reporters at the press conference for his upcoming film, "The Barker," in which he plays a jeepney barker who falls in love with a rich, mestiza beauty. "Kung ano po ang ibinigay ni God sa akin, iyon po ako."

The practice of going under the knife has been a hot topic in recent weeks because of Marlou Arizala, who now goes by the name Xander Ford after unveiling his new face, which was estimated to have cost more than P400,000.

The former Hasht5 member said it was his dream to have a smoother visage, and that he feels more confident now.

Asked if he changed anything in himself for the sake of popularity, Marquez said: "Kung ano po ang nakikita ng mga tao sa akin ngayon, iyon po ay blessing po ni God sa akin."

"The Barker" is Marquez's first film following the massive success of "Kita Kita," the highest grossing local indie flick in the country's box-office history.

In "Kita Kita," he played a homely character who won over a temporarily blind woman with his jokes, wit, and sincerity.

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His performance led to him being dubbed as the new standard of "pogi" with fans, and calls for him to star in more movies as a leading man, as opposed to just being the funny sidekick.

"Kita Kita," which also stars Alessandra de Rossi, has earned P320 million. Another movie starring Marquez and Rossi is already being planned.