What keeps John Lloyd Cruz from going indie

Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and Ai Ai de las Alas are just some of the seasoned actresses who took a refreshing route from mainstream to the independent films.

Even younger actors like Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Gerald Anderson and Dennis Trillo have recently joined the growing list of “money-makers” from big film outfits trying their hand at what veteran actress/producer/writer Bibeth Orteza calls “the new mainstream cinema.”

When is John Lloyd Cruz joining the bandwagon?

The box-office star, speaking exclusively to Yahoo Philippines at the premiere of Ronnie Lazaro’s “Edna," said it’s just a matter of time.

"There’s nothing holding me back. Good timing. Timing lang talaga,” the 31-year-old actor said. “Ayokong magsalita [nang patapos], pero hindi ko pa alam. I don’t wanna [pre-empt].”

The rise of 'maindie'

In recent years, Philippine cinema has been a venue for  mainstream and indie actors crossing over  from one end to another—resulting in “maindie” works or indie films bordering on mainstream and indie.

Although John Lloyd is considered one of the most bankable male movie stars of his generation (Sarah Geronimo is her female counterpart), the prized ABS-CBN talent shared he’s cool about  keeping up with the trend.

"Oo naman! Alam mo, kami namang mga actors and members of the cinema, hindi naman kami dapat malimitahan sa indie tsaka sa mainstream, e."

Hail to Ronnie Lazaro

John Lloyd rarely makes himself visible in indie territory like Cinemalaya, but when he does, he makes sure it’s for a cause.

The mainstream actor set foot in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Thursday, August 7, in the middle of the Cinemalaya indie festival, to support a dear friend, Ronnie Lazaro.

John Lloyd was all praise for the multi-awarded actor who premiered his directorial debut, “Edna”, starring Irma Adlawan and himself at the CCP Aurelio Tolentino Theater.

"Pilit ko mang [unawain]… kasi nga, somehow kilala ko si Ronnie e. He’s a dear friend so kahit papaano medyo alam ko ang takbo ng utak niya,” he said. "Pero kahit sabihin mong alam ko ang takbo ng utak niya, sa pelikulang ‘to parang hindi ko pa rin nahuli."

Does John Lloyd  mean the ending was unpredictable?

“Oo. Hayop! Hayop!” John Lloyd replied.

Meant for Irma Adlawan

Good words are also in order for lead actress Irma Adlawan, who happens to be Sarah Geronimo’s mother in their phenomenal film series “A Very Special Love” (2008), “You Changed My Life” (2009) and “It Takes a Man and a Woman” (2013)."

“She’s impeccable (and) brilliant. Wala ka nang maiisip na iba or kayang gumawa nun e. Siguro ginawa 'yun para sa kanya.”

 John Lloyd hopes a larger audience will watch the Cinema Evaluation Board’s Graded A movie.

Sana talaga mapanood siya ng masa maraming tao. I’m so happy for Ronnie, for the rest of the cast and the people behind "Edna". It’s a brilliant effort. And coming from a guy as brilliant and talented as Ronnie, talagang it’s a blessing para sa mga cinema-goers."