John Lloyd Cruz has been paired with some of the most sought-after leading ladies in the film and TV industry. But among his past onscreen partners, there’s one whom he considers as the “most special”.
During an interview Friday (February 19), with MTRCB chair Maria Rachel Arenas, the actor-on-leave, whose past female co-stars included Bea Alonzo, Toni Gonzaga, Angel Locsin and Sarah Geronimo, was asked who among them is “special” to him.
John Lloyd, who’s been on indefinite hiatus since 2017, said, “Pinaka-special po sa lahat ng mga nakapareha ko sa pelikula… siguro si Luis Manzano. Siya po yung pinaka-special.
He added, “Kasama po namin yung mommy niya dun sa pelikula. At di ko talaga makakalimutan yung pagsasamahan namin ni Luis dun. Unforgettable, haha.”
John Lloyd worked with Luis in their first LGBT-themed film, In My Life, released by Star Cinema in 2019, which also starred the latter’s mom Vilma Santos-Recto. The film was directed by Olivia Lamasan and shot mainly in New York City.
The actor has been reported to make his big movie comeback this year, via Lav Diaz’s Servando Magdamag and reunion film with Bea Alonzo.
Asked about realizations he has had in the nearly four years he’s been inactive in showbiz, he said, “Kahit pala akala mo na di ka nagwo-work physically, akala mo tumigil sa pagtatrabaho, pero essentially kung ano yung parang… kahit sabihin mong napahaba yung pause, parang para din siyang work eh.”
He described the break from showbiz as “very necessary.”
“Very necessary pause. In the end, parang siguro it all boils down to ano yung makakatulong sa ‘yo, para magampanan mo yung kelangan mong manggapanan. So in the end para rin siyang trabaho.”
Arenas shared a netizen’s question if he still plans on returning to showbiz work “100 percent.”
John Lloyd answered, “Medyo nagva-vary po talaga yun, especially kung sino yung magpe-perform. Para sa akin, maganda yung opportunity na ‘to para malaman ko kung ano yung mga hindi nag-work before, I would like to correct it now.
“Now that I have a chance, di ba? Parang babalik ka ulit, parang ano ba yung pwede nating i-improve? Ano ba yung pwede nating mas pagtuunan ng pansin in terms of management, di ba?
“Kasi, parang napatunayan mo na, na hindi nag-work yung unang approach mo, eh. Hindi siya sustainable. So yun, kung ano man yung kalalabasan nun. I hope… siguro ‘yan yung ibig sabihin na 100 percent.”
John Lloyd, nevertheless, revealed in his interview, which was aired on MTRCB Uncut YouTube channel, that he’s currently planning a sitcom.
He also expressed his desire to work with the younger generation of stars.
