John Lloyd’s not ready for another relationship

Author: Mario E. Bautista
Column: Dream Factory

John Lloyd Cruz celebrates his 26th birthday on June 24 yet, but Star Magic already hosted a birthday lunch for him on June 17 as he’s leaving soon for the Star Magic US Tour. "It’s going to be a working birthday kasi magso-show kami sa US sa birthday ko," he says.

Some say he’s meeting Ruffa Gutierrez there, who’s also celebrating her birthday on June 24.

"I’ll be meeting some friends in L.A. I know siya naman, meron siyang show for her Roof-A-Child Foundation. Pero ano naman ang masama kung magkita kami habang naroroon? I just wish tigilan na ang intriga sa’min kasi naapektuhan na ang friendship namin. Kaya nga I told her huwag na lang tayo mag-hang out para pigilan na ang mga balita at pilitin silang paniwalaan ang sinasabi nating friends lang tayo. Sa totoo lang, nahihirapan na kaming maging normal na magkaibigan kasi nauunahan ng intriga. Ganyan ang nangyari noon with Carmen Soo when we played husband and wife in ‘T2.’ ‘Yung friendship namin, naunahan ng intriga, so naputol. Kaya lang, itong kay Ruffa, extreme ang nangyari dahil nag-away pa sila ng mommy niya na wala namang dapat pag-awayan.

"Sobra na ang layo ng narating ng isyung ito, siguro masarap kasing pag-usapan ang intriga kaya pinapahaba nang pinapahaba. Lalo na nga, I just came from a relationship at ganun din siya, so parang ang gandang i-link kami dahil hot item, ‘di ba? But at our expense."

What can he say about Annabelle Rama’s allegation that he seems to be ashamed of Ruffa?

"Ayoko na lang mag-comment doon kasi, if I’d answer, then she’d also answer, mas hahaba, hindi na matatapos. So I will keep my silence. Basta friend ko pa rin si Ruffa, we understand each other at alam namin kung ano ang totoo. I think it’s Ruffa who should explain to her mom na magkaibigan lang kami talaga, wala ng iba."

But Annabelle says he woos her and gives gifts to her. "Minsan ko lang siya nabigyan ng food. When I bring food kasi noon sa set ng ‘Betty La Fea,’ it’s for everyone. But one time, I brought some pasta na hindi nakain sa taping and I asked her assistant kung gusto kaya yun ni Ruffa. Very casual ‘yun na tanong, which I do to everyone. Tapos ayun, nabigyan ng ibang interpretation."

What’s his birthday wish?

"Wala. I’m not in a mood to celebrate, so basta lilipas lang ‘yung birthday ko, and also, I cannot wish for anything more as I’m already so blessed. I don’t even expect to have a party or to have gifts. A simple text message greeting me, masaya na ako ru’n."

What about his gift for Ruffa?

"I don’t know. Baka may makita ako sa States. Baka shoes. Kasi sinukat ko yung sapatos niya, kasya sa akin," he laughs. "I hope tigilan na talaga ang ganitong intriga dahil hindi pa ako ready for another relationship after the previous one just ended. I want to focus muna on my personal life and my work. Dito lang sa movie namin ni Tita Vi and Luis Manzano, nauubos na ang energy ko kaya dito muna ko."

***

Jomari Yllana didn’t expect to bump into ex-girlfriend Pops Fernandez at the wake of his manager Douglas Quijano.

"Hindi ko naisip na puede kaming magkita roon, but the moment I saw her, ako na ang lumapit at nakipagbeso sa kanya," he says. "Alangan namang hindi ko pa siya batiin when our eyes met already. Pero ganun lang at ni hindi kami nakapag-usap kasi busy rin ako with the media."

Anjo will also be reunited with another ex, Aiko Melendez, mother of his son Andre. "Kami ang gaganap na parents ni Ogie Alcasid as Angelina in his movie with Michael V. na ‘Whatever, Yaya.’ Wala namang problema as Aiko and I are friends. Nag-shoot na kami at masaya nga sa set."

Won’t they rekindle their romance now that he’s loveless and Aiko’s love affair with Bulacan vice mayor Patrick Meneses is also reported to have waned?

"Ganun ba? Wala na ba sila? Itatanong ko sa kanya. But kami ni Aiko, we’re really better off as good friends. Ang mutual concern namin ngayon is the welfare of our son."

What about his other ex, Ara Mina?

"Friends din kami noon. Actually, ‘yung last movie ko was with her, ‘Minsan Pa.’ Nagkita na rin kami sa isang show and we even sang together."

***

What did director Gil Portes see in new sexpot Paloma that made him choose her right away to play the female lead in "Pitik Bulag (Blind Luck)"?

"She’s really a looker at maganda siya on screen man or off cam," he says. "When I saw her sa audition, plain and simple, I asked her if she’s willing to go bold and she said ‘Yes, sir.’ Tapos, ipinakita agad ang dapat niyang ipakita. I was impressed. Walang tsetseburetse. So sabi ko, o sige, siya na. Tapos, dahil college graduate siya at UP pa, it turned out na matalino talaga. Hindi ako nahirapang idirek siya. You tell her something and she picks it up right away dahil nga edukada. Pati love scene nila ni Marco Alcaraz sa movie, she was the one who choreographed it."

"Pitik Bulag" is an indie film but Direk Gil says it has the same production values as a mainstream movie. "Actually, dapat there will be no more distinctions between indie or mainstream kasi, in the end, they’re all just films, pelikula. All my past films were independently produced, even the ones that won awards here and abroad, like ‘Saranggola (The Kite)’ and ‘Mga Munting Tinig (Little Voices).’ I really can’t understand why parang inferior o mababa ang tingin sa indie films when they’re now the ones that bring honor to the country at siyang nananalo sa mga international filmfests. ‘Yung sinasabi ngang mainstream films, dito lang sa’tin pinapalabas but the so-called indie ones, ‘yun ang nare-release sa various countries abroad."

Will he enter "Pitik Bulag" in such festivals?

"Of course! Kaya sina Paloma at Marco Alcaraz, magiging international stars na sila! Kahit mga baguhan sila, they’re not only physically attractive but also show so much flair and maturity as actors."

"Pitik Bulag" will have a premiere night at Gateway on June 24 then opens nationwide on July 1.

***

Cesar Montano laughs off the rumor that he and wife Sunshine Cruz are breaking up. Sunshine herself posted on her Facebook account the latest photos of her, Cesar and their three daughters to show that they remain to be a happy family. Meantime, Cesar is happy that his game show on ABS-CBN, "The Singing Bee," continues to be toprater nationwide. This Saturday night will be another fun episode featuring Kapamilya stars. The "ASAP" team of Maja Salvador, Arron Villaflor and Mickey Perz will compete with the MYX team of Robi Domingo, Chino Lui Pio and Bianca, along with Team Studio 23 of Denise Laurel, Megan Young and Angel Aquino, ASF Dancers Lovely, Aiko and Cha, and the "Kambal sa Uma" team of Aldred Gatchalian, Helga Krapft and Diane Medina.

***

Valeen Montenegro was paired with PBB’s Aldred Gatchalian in "Abt Ur Luv," "Crazy for You" and Ysabella." But now, they hardly see each other and she has gone solo playing contravida roles like in "Underage." She also appears on TV 5 in the gag show "Lokomoko" and as a host of "MP3." Does she and Aldred still get in touch?

"Yes, kate-text lang niya sa’kin to say he can’t come sa birthday presscon ng Star Magic as he’s busy taping for ‘Kambal sa Uma’," she says.

She turned 19 on June 10 while Aldred turned 18 on June 14. Is she happy with the way her career is going?

"At least, hindi ako nawawalan ng assignment. Also, okay lang ‘yung pace ko ngayon as I’m graduating from college this year."

She’s taking up fashion design at St. Benilde and she hopes to put up her own design shop later.

Like her, Aldred is also in college taking up associate in arts at the UP Open U. He also appears in the Mel Chionglo project, "Vente," for Sine Direk where he plays a student activist opposite Glaiza de Castro.

***

"Pinoy Big Brother 2’s" (PBB) Mickey Perz remains active in showbiz as a dancer-choreographer whereas we never hear anymore of their batch’s big winner, Bea Saw. "I think she’s now more active in her water and laundry business," he says.

Mickey was born in Vienna, Austria to a Pinay mom and Austrian dad. His parents separated when he was 2 and his mom moved to Berne, Switzerland, where he grew up. He joined the PBB auditions there and was sent to Manila where he now fulfills his passion for dancing. He’s a choreographer for "ASAP" Supah Dance Crew along with Billy Crawford and Rayver Cruz. He’s also a dance instructor for kids and teen in the Star Magic workshops. He has now put up his own dance school, Planet Jupiter, at Jupiter St., Makati.

He’s been offered to try acting but he says he’s scared as his Tagalog is not that good. "I’m happy with my dancing at kapag wala nang nangyayari rito, I’ll just go back to Switzerland."

He has lost 30 lbs. since he came to Manila.

Who among the ABS talents that he has taught to dance are really good?

"John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Nagulat ako, magaling sila, kaya lang nahihiya pa kasi mas identified sila sa acting. But they got the moves."

***

People call Victor Basa Brother John when they see him in public. It’s the name of the priest character he plays in the hit drama series, "May Bukas Pa."

"It’s good to be a part of a hit show kasi malakas ang recall sa tao," he says. "And I’m glad to be part of show that teaches good values, especially to young viewers."

Aside from hosting "ASAP" and "Shall We Dance" on TV 5, he also does VJ work for MTV. As an actor, he was nominated as best new movie actor for his performance in the Cinema One film, "Maling Akala." He endorses Penshoppe and turned 24 on June 6.

Other Star Magic talents who celebrate their birthday in June are taekwondo champ Japoy Lizardo who turned 23 on June 28, actress-singer Auriette Divina who turned 18 on June 12, and child star Sophia Baars who turned 9 also on June 12.

Source: Malaya

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