John Lloyd Cruz reunites with Bea Alonzo in I Love Betty La Fea

By: Walden Sadiri
Source: Manila Bulletin Online

After a successful team-up with Sarah Geronimo in "A Very Special Love," John Lloyd Cruz is back in the arms of Bea Alonzo as Armando in ABS-CBN’s upcoming TV series "Betty La Fea." Both John and Bea temporarily parted ways as one of showbiz's most popular loveteams after they decided to shoot movies individually.

"It was never the intention to break-up the love team. Actually before our movie ‘One More Chance,’ the intention was that we’ll do projects individually pero hindi naman po para paghiwalayin ang team-up," he explained.

The Bea-John Lloyd loveteam produced such hit movies as "My First Romance," "Now That I Have You," "Close To You," "All About Love" and "One More Chance." On television, their tandem was seen in "It Might Be You" and "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" to name a few.

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"I don’t think mapaghihiwalay mo pa yun," said John. John stressed that the box office success of his film with Sarah is not even enough proof that he can stand without Bea or even be successful with other leading ladies in the future.

"Parang nakaka-enganyo at parang nabibighani ka sa sayang nararamdaman mo," expressed John Lloyd proudly of his title. "To do a film that’s Rated-A is already okay. Pero mas masarap ang pakiramdam kapag mas maraming nanunuod. Kahit sabihin na nating hindi mo basis yun of your good work, pero iba sa aming mga artista na magbayad ka ng ticket para manudo ka ng pelikula namin. Ibang saya ang naibibigay sa amin!"

John said there's always something new with him and Bea despite the fact that they've done several movies and TV shows. "Everytime na magsasama kami sa isang bagong project parang bago lahat. Ang maganda lang at ease and comfortable na kayo sa isa’t-isa. Kung baga ano yan mag unite ang dalawang bagong characters na i-portray ninyo so parang lahat bago. So parang ako hindi pa naman kami nakikila bilang Armando at di pa siya nakilala bilang Betty so yun ang bago. Other than that sa labas ng mga characters ganun pa din or even better kami,’ he said.

John said he already knew he was cast in "I Love Betty la Fea" when he was already promoting his movie "A Very Special Love." But he couldn’t talk about it since it was improper. He admitted that he has never seen an epsiode of "Ugly Betty" or "Betty La Fea." Yet it would be helpful for him as an actor if he did see one. "So start from scratch ako so medyo hirap pa. But with the help of my directors, tulong-tulong kami. Hopefully mabigyang justice," he quipped.

So would there be any adjustments?

"Malaking adjustments especially coming from a film which is an entirely different medium kasi parang hindi mo alam kung nag over acting ka ba or kulang. Personally dun nanggagaling struggles ko yung hirap ko sa set. Kami naman as a team-up parang mas madaling umiyak, magpaiyak kasi ang hirap magpatawa and magpatawa nang totoo ang ginagawa ninyo. We welcome the challenge. Ang maganda kasi dito nasa isang soap opera ka ibig sabihinm mabibigyan kayo ng panahon para ma-establish yun and mahasa yun," he said.

Isn’t he too young to play Armando?

"I think they based it yata sa hairline ko," laughed John. "Honestly hindi ko po alam kung bakit ako kinuha. Like what I’ve said earlier hindi ko alam na mas matanda pala. Well kung titignan naman mukha akong mas matanda kay Bea. Pero hindi ko alam kung anong reason nila." He also remarked that he is as surprised as anyone when he landed the role of Armando. "Kahit gaano ko kagusto yung role or gaano ko siya hindi gusto gawin, I’m a soldier of the company. Kung anong trabahong ibigay sa akin gagawin ko yun whole heartedly. Kung hindi man wholeheartedly at the beginning I will definitely make my way through it. Kung anong ibigay, tanggap. kung anong nangyayari sa yo ngayon yun ang what’s best for you," he said.

John is looking forward to a movie with no other than Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos who has expressed her willingness to shoot a movie with the current box-office sensation.

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