John Lloyd Cruz paused his hiatus from the public eye to thank the frontliners who are battling the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines.
The 36-year-old actor, who’s now based in Cebu City, appeared in the online fundraiser, Mamatay Kang Hayup na COVID Ka, on April 4. The telethon, which will go on for 24 hours for 10 days, aims to raise funds for testing kits.
Cruz sent his regards to the Filipino healthcare workers aiding the thousands of patients affected by the illness.
“Maraming salamat sa inyo, sa lahat ng frontliners, mabuhay kayo,” he said.
“Kulang. Kulang itong efftorts… para pasalamatan ang mga mga frontliners natin sa kanilang serbisyo. Maraming salamat sa inyo,” he added.
Cruz also offered his thoughts should the lockdown get an extension. On April 7, President Duterte extended the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to April 30 from the original end schedule of April 14. The Cebu province, on the other hand, has been placed under ECQ from March 30 to April 28.
“Siguro maari tayong magsimula sa mental or psychological preparation. Yun muna. Siguro ako, personal lang naman ito, hindi naman ito para sa pangkalahatan, nung nag-simula, parang sa tingin ko magtatagal talaga,” he said.
“Iniisip ko, siguro nakatulong din sa akin yung pag-isip sa sitwasyon na ito na yung normal. Normal sa ngayon. Hanggang sa may magbago, di ba? Isipin mo na ito na yung normal, ‘wag na natin isipin kailan matatapos, para bang you take each day as it comes. Day by day ang approach.”
During the telethon, the actor was also asked what he’s been doing during quarantine.
“Sa ngayon, pinipinta ko pa rin mga pangarap ko pa rin. Konting basa-basa. Pero naka establish na rin tayo ng sariling routine natin dito. Kasi bago pa nangyari yung paglaganap ng virus, andito na ako sa Cebu nun. Bandang Pebrero pa, andito na ako sa Cebu, nag-aalaga ng bata, gawaing bahay.”
He also shared that he can speak and understand a little Cebuano now. “Makasabot man ako gamay (I can understand a little), pero kulang pa sa practice, dapat mas tatagal pa ako dito.”
Cruz took a showbiz hiatus in 2017 to attend to “personal matters” with then girlfriend Ellen Adarna who eventually gave birth to their son Elias.
He is currently preparing for his big-screen comeback with Servando Magdamag, a film directed by Lav Diaz and written by Ricky Lee.
