"Armando Solis" star John Lloyd Cruz on team-ups and improvement of his craft

John Lloyd on team-ups: ‘Mas maganda kung ma-ipair ako sa iba-iba’
By Rachelle Siazon
Source: beta.abs-cbn.com

Once and for all, John Lloyd Cruz clarified that every career move he makes is aimed towards the improvement of his craft. This included his desire to be paired up with other female stars other than his long-time onscreen partner, Bea Alonzo.

"Sabi ko nga bago pa namin ginawa yung One More Chance magandang opportunity for me and Bea na malaman for ourselves kung ano ang magagawa namin. Because for the longest time, sobra kaming naging dependent sa isa't-isa eh. Parang kahit anong gawin namin, nahihirapan kami ‘pag hindi kami magkasama," John Lloyd disclosed during his press con yesterday (August 20) at Eco Moda Manila. Fortunately, his team-up with Sarah Geronimo via A Very Special Love proved to be a perfect opportunity for him to test the waters. "Medyo daring yung step na ginawa namin pero there's no other way. Dapat talaga namin i-take ang step na yun kung ‘di, dun nalang tayo sa safe, sa alam nating tatanggapin [ng tao]," he added.

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But even with the unexpected success of his current movie, John Lloyd disproved other people’s perception that Bea’s the one who needs him more to sustain her stardom. "Hindi naman siguro. She can definitely stand without me. At ako naman, hindi naman sapat ang isang pelikula para sabihin natin na kaya ko na," he exclaimed. More importantly, John Lloyd believed that they both owe it to their respective fans to nurture their much-loved tandem. "Ayaw naman namin na parang bigla nalang sirain o buohin yung foundation na naitayo na namin between us and our supporters. Medyo mahirap isipin yun. So wala talaga sa intenyson namin ni Bea or ng company (ABS-CBN) na paghiwalayin yung team-up," he clearly stated.

Movie with Gov. Vi. His ability to make it on his own was simply evident since his upcoming film with the Star For All Seasons is already in the works. "I think may sisimulan kami sa November pero hindi pa yun tuloy-tuloy. May isu-shoot lang kami sa New York," he divulged. Just the thought of it, however, had made him feel weak-kneed as early as now. "Kasi first time ko with Ate Vi and Direk Olive (Lamasan) so good luck sa ‘kin." The idea of portraying a gay role (possibly opposite Luis Manzano who’ll be playing Vilma Santos’s son) for the said film excites him though. "Gusto ko yun dahil feeling ko marami akong maibubuhos. Feeling ko kasi sinusukat niya (gay role) yung kaya mo ibigay as an actor, china-challenge ka ba," he noted.

Team-up with Angel. John Lloyd also confirmed more of ABS-CBN management’s ambitious plans for him this year. "Alam ko magkakaroon kami (he and Angel Locsin) ng project together and I’m very excited na makatrabaho siya. Alam ko gagawa din kami ng Maaalaala Mo Kaya this September." Will this be some kind of a trial test too similar to his team-up with Sarah? "Actually dati, hindi kasama sa plano na parang itetest kami ni Sarah. Kumbaga, gumawa lang talaga kami ng pelikula. Pero ito, naka-plano talaga na gumawa kami ng pelikula ni Angel at alam ko meron ding teleserye," he confided. As far as he knows, Angel had expressed her wish to work with him even before, and vice versa. "Nasa kabila pa lang siya, very vocal na ako na makatrabaho siya," he shared.

His secret to success. Coupled with the clamour for him to do a follow-up movie with Sarah, the press couldn’t help but wonder why many people support his projects whoever his onscreen partner is. What is it that sets him apart from other talented actors? John Lloyd simply explained, "Bukod sa gwapo kong mukha, siguro yung sincerity na ino-offer ko sa audience ko. Magmula dati with Ciara (Sotto), never ko namang itinago [yung love life ko]. Nagkaron ako ulit ng girlfriend (Liz Uy), hindi ko naman inilihim. Kasi alam ko napakaliit ng Pilipinas at imposibleng hindi nila malaman ang totoo. I don’t wanna find myself on TV saying na, ‘We’re just friends. Hindi po ‘yan totoo. ‘Wag kayong maniwala’ para protektahan yung career ko. Because in a way, kapag niloko mo yung audience mo, naniniwala ako na yun din ang babalik sayo," he aptly ended.

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