Advertisement

John Lloyd Cruz describes rocky road to success

John Lloyd Cruz is glad he didn't quit showbiz/NPPA Images


John Lloyd Cruz admits his journey in showbiz was not easy. He had to overcome setbacks before he became the box-office king that he is now.

“Iniisip ko kung tama ba ito kasi talagang I gave up yung pag-aaral ko. At that time, yung mga pinsan ko, (sinasabi) ang artista noon baduy, ‘Baduy ka.’ Unlike ngayon ang artista ngayon talagang gusto ka ng mga tao. Dati sinasabi, ‘Yuck, artista, baduy.’ Yung mga pinagdaanan ko na ganoon talagang matinding trial iyon,” John Lloyd said at the press conference of his newest movie under Star Cinema, “The Trial.”

No show

John Lloyd Cruz, Jessy Mendiola and Enrique Gil, stars of The Trial/NPPA Images
John Lloyd Cruz, Jessy Mendiola and Enrique Gil, stars of The Trial/NPPA Images

The actor recalled a time when he didn’t have any show at all.

“Lahat nawala. Then all of a sudden hindi mo alam kung saan papunta yung pinasok mo. But I’m glad na nagstay ako and I’m here.”

He first starred in the TV sitcom “Palibhasa Lalake” in 1997 and went on to do the youth-oriented drama show “Tabing Ilog,” which lasted for five years. His career breakthrough came in 2002, when he teamed up with Bea Alonzo in “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay.”

In his 14 years in showbiz, John Lloyd has topbilled several TV shows, and blockbuster films. He has won multiple awards.

He feels lucky to have worked with respected actors and directors, including Johnny Delgado, Richard Gomez and Chito Rono.

Career growth

“Maswerte ako dahil bata pa lang ako nakatrabaho ko na si kuya Goma (Richard). Napaka-swerte ko na nakaabot pa ako sa mga generation ng mga kinikilalang artista, like sila tatay Johnny Delgado. Unfortunately, yung mga ibang directors na inaasam ko makatrabaho, hindi na siguro pwede,” John Lloyd said.

Richard, John Lloyd’s “co-star in The Trial,” praised him for the way he managed his career.

“Ang ganda ng naging growth ni John Lloyd. Coming from bata pa siya na artista, nag-comedy, then slowly he ventured into serious roles. Na-strengthen pa with his awards. Marami siyang kasabayan dati na nawala, naglaho, pero siya umangat,” Richard said.

John Lloyd’s latest challenge as an actor is playing a mentally-challenged man in “The Trial.” It was tough, and he avoided studying how Piolo Pascual and Gerald Anderson attacked similar roles.

Conscious effort

“Napanood ko yung mga iyon. Pero kailangan mo din iwasan yung pagnood, kasi ayaw mong ma-corrupt yung process mo, yung oras at research mo, yung puso sa pagbibigay mo sa character. So ayaw mong maapektuhan ng character ng iba. I made a conscious effort not to do that,” John Lloyd revealed.

“The Trial,” which opens October 15 in theaters nationwide, is directed by Chito Rono and also stars Gretchen Barretto, Jessy Mendiola, Sylvia Sanchez, Enrique Gil and Vince de Jesus.