John Lloyd Cruz Opens Up About the Downsides of Being a Matinee Idol

Now that John Lloyd Cruz has made his TV comeback, he's talking about the lessons he's learned after his four-year hiatus from the industry.

The actor was formerly with ABS-CBN up until he left the sitcom he was in back in October 2017. The indefinite leave from Star Magic, the talent management arm of ABS-CBN, lasted until his contract ended as a Kapamilya star. Though he left showbusiness, he quietly made select independent films.

The hiatus stopped in February 2020  when was sighted in a script reading with Bea Alonzo, as well as an experimental "uncofined cinema" project with Alonzo again. His return was confirmed when he was launched as a premium artist by Crown Artist Management, the talent management company of Maja Salvador.

Just this month, Cruz signed a partnership agreement for a sitcom with GMA-7.

During a recent Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho appearance, Cruz spoke with Soho in El Nido, Palawan. The two talked about him being a matinee idol. "Ewan ko kung ano nakikita nila. Madalas nabibisto nga ako sa mata ko, e. Dun ako nayayari, e. Pero madalas ibang kahulugan ang nabibigay. Ang totoo lang naman, inaantok lang naman ako," the actor said speaking about his trademark look that has launched his career as a romantic comedy star.

He continued, "Iba talaga ang power ng pelikula. Magaling lang siguro yung mga direktor na bumuo ng mga characters ko. It is flattering? Yes. Pero may great danger na kalakip, e. Parang bawal ka magkamali, especially sa mata ng audience mo. I think yun ang kapalit nun.

Cruz also admitted that he reached a point where he needed to find himself and strengthen his core which is why he took an indefinite leave from showbusiness in 2017. The 38-year-old actor explained: "Parang it was the right time to be kind to myself, to start some healing. Parang it was the right time, the journey of unlearning. Prior to that, mga dalawang dekada akong kayod nang kayod. Siyempre, the thing with acquiring yung mga natutunan natin, may mga kaakibat siyang mga bagay na kakapit sa 'yo na mahihirapan kang ipagpag para huminga muna."

He confessed, "Importante rin na may tama kang motivation habang sinusuong mo yung daan sa hinahanap mo. Sa karanasan ko kasi, di ko nabantayan yung kapit ko sa sarili ko, kung ano yung mga prinsipyong pinapaniwaalan ko. Parang siguro nga, tama ka, baka nauuntog ka na. Wala ka nang ibang masalungat kundi sarili mo na. Pero tingin ko, kung barado sa taas, puwede ka sa gilid. Mas interesting nga pagka dun sa maliliit na butas ka dadaan, e."

Now that he's ready to go into mainstream acting, Cruz maintained that's he's chill at the moment. "Itong pagkakataong ito, mas hindi ako mangangahog o maghahabol sa content na gusto ko. Hayaan ko sila na dumating nang kusa. Yung mga naging pelikula na nagawa ko kay Lav Diaz, yung mga naidulot na experiences nun, di ko rin matatawaran, e," he said.

History Ni Ha, his most recent film that was directed by Diaz, premiered at BFI London Festival in October 2021.

What's his message to his younger self? "I'll tell him to be more patient. I'll tell him na huwag i-impose yung truth niya sa lahat," he said.

From: PEP.ph