The cliché rings very true in the case of John Lloyd Cruz — no, you can’t put a good man down.
As they say, like a fruit-laden tree which is a favorite target of sticks and stones, the more popular an actor is the harsher he is placed under the magnifying glass. But like the tree, he only becomes sturdier with every stoning.
What a Hollywood actor said is true: The only thing an actor owes the public is a good performance. What he does off-frame is his own calling and he owes nobody any apology if his actions are not hazardous to the public.
The “unfavorable” write-ups have hardly affected John Lloyd’s box-office standing. Like their first three starrers, his and Bea Alonzo’s latest, Star Cinema’s post-Valentine offering Miss You Like Crazy, is drawing record crowds. It’s again directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the so-called “natural” director because she can make even the most trite scene look, natural and not “forced”. Remember Sarah Geronimo doing the rain dance in A Very Special Love (also with John Lloyd as leading man)?
To clear the air, Funfare put John Lloyd on the hot seat as soon as he and Bea came back from Malaysia where they shot some scenes for two weeks. In MYLC, John Lloyd plays a man successful in his work but bored with his girlfriend (Maricar Reyes) until he meets Bea (who works as a front-desk girl in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur).
How was your shoot in Malaysia?
“Masaya pero mahirap dahil sa dami ng dapat tapusin. We would shoot nine sequences per day with a skeletal crew.”
According to Bea in a Funfare interview, you used to be like a “closed book,” aloof and quiet. And now, you are like an “open book”.
“Maybe what she was referring to was kung paano ang relationship ko with the staff. But after three movies, direk Cathy’s staff and I have become like a family; we are comfortable working together. Maganda ‘yung closeness namin.”
Why do you think you and Bea click as a loveteam both on TV and in film even if you are not sweethearts in real life?
“Aside from the chemistry, the success of our loveteam is material-based; marami kaming nagawang projects na magaganda ang stories.”
Hasn’t it ever entered your mind to court Bea?
“I’d be lying if I say na hindi ko naisip ‘yon. We were younger then at ang focus namin pareho ay sa work. And also, let’s not forget that at that time, when Bea and I became a loveteam, may girlfriend ako, si Ana (Ciara Sotto who recently got married to Jojo Oconer). And then, naging kami ni Liz (Uy). In short, I was ‘committed’ so no way that I could even entertain the idea of courting Bea.”
How did you feel when Ciara got married?
“I saw their wedding photo. I knew that they were getting married pero nagulat lang ako na tapos na pala. It was KC (Concepcion, Ciara’s niece) who told me.”
After Liz Uy, who?
“Girlfriend? Kung kanino ako naging ‘committed’ uli? None yet!”
What about Ruffa (Gutierrez)?
(Hesitates) “Basta, after Liz hindi pa uli naging ‘committed’.”
And Shaina Magdayao (with whom John Lloyd was reported drinking at a favorite showbiz hangout)?
“Basta, after Liz, hindi pa ako uli naging ‘committed’.”
What’s between you and Shaina?
“Hmmmm, we are just two people hanging out, having fun. We’ve become good friends; we have several common friends in and out of showbiz.”
Ruffa said she’s “fabulously single.”
Oh yeah, it shows naman, di ba?”
What kind of relationship do you have with Ruffa?
“Isang napakagandang friendship.”
How did you spend Valentine’s?
“’Yung movie namin ni Bea is our post-Valentine celebration.” (Laughs)
Bea said she’s also “Valentine-less.”
“Yeah. Ang alam ko matagal na siyang walang boyfriend.”
About the “drinking” issue.
“During the presscon (for MYLC), a reporter indirectly asked me about it, saying ‘Nalasing ka na ba sa tagumpay?’ Of course, everybody knew what he was referring to. I answered straight, went directly to the point. Wala nang saysay para magpaliguy-ligoy pa. I confronted the issue once and for all. You know, sometimes we do things that we are not proud of, especially when you are part of this industry. I’d rather not focus on negative things kasi masasayang lang ang energy mo; I’d rather dwell on the positive. But I’m human, so...”
You and Bea have gone through so many things since your first team-up (in the ABS-CBN soap Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay). How have those experiences helped your acting?
“We’ve done movies with other partners and we’ve grown individually.”
Are you more comfortable now in your love scenes?
“Oh, yeah. Kahit matagal kaming hindi nagkasama, hindi nawawala ‘yung pagiging comfortable namin sa isa’t-isa.”
Among your leading ladies, sino ang pinaka-masarap halikan?
“Si Luis (Manzano in In My Life in which they play lovers). Hahahahaha! Memorable ang kissing scene namin.”
What will make you go into another “commitment”?
“I cannot tell. It’s all about timing. You know, it’s meeting the right woman at the right time. Puede akong makipag-commitment ngayon but if it doesn’t feel right, it will not work, wala ring pupuntahan.”
If ever, should she be older (like “R”), younger (like “S”) or as old as you are (like “L”)?
“Age doesn’t matter. There’s no way of telling. Sometimes, it’s better kung ‘surprise.’ I love surprises.” (rickylo@philstar.net.ph)