Hollywood-based Filipino director Ace Cruz's creative juices continue to flow even while on vacation.
An ardent visitor of the picturesque island of Boracay, Ace recently told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) how he enjoys casual sightseeing while churning out ideas for a project.
"I relax in Boracay," smiles Ace during a conversation at Harry's Bar in Taguig City. "I got a place over there and I like watching the sunset, enjoying the quality of life. But yeah, I'm constantly working—my mind, in my sleep, I'm thinking about ideas. When I wake up, I think about a script that I'm gonna put together."
Ace refuses, however, to acknowledge any kind of "you're such a hard worker" compliment, not even from close friends and colleagues.
"But to me, it's not work!" he says animatedly. "It's my passion. I love it and it's what I enjoy doing!"
STARTING YOUNG. Ace's fascination with directing started when he was just 13-years-old and he was inspired throughout his teenage years.
He fondly recalls imitating martial arts legend Bruce Lee and documenting his exploits on film together with "extras" composed mostly of family members.
"The very first film I did was a martial arts movie. I started when I was 13-years-old. I was videotaping my family and so I would actually shoot myself and then act like Bruce Lee, because I was into Bruce Lee when I was like 13, 14 years old," beams the Los Angeles-raised actor-director.
Studying drama at the University of Southern California (USC) exposed Ace to the world of acting and production work and honed his skills. By that time Ace was already determined to pursue both directing and acting as a career path.
It was while he was stage acting that veteran entertainment columnist and longtime talent manager Alfie Lorenzo spotted him.
"He said, 'Why don't you come to the Philippines and try it out as an actor?" Ace recalls.
That was a welcome opportunity for the young stage actor. He immediately packed his bags and flew to Manila to give film acting a try. Ace signed a contract with Viva Films and he was cast in action flicks from 1993 to 1996.
Ace's stint in local acting, though not memorable, motivated him enough to learn more about filmmaking.
Back in the States, Ace took up a three-year filmmaking course at the USC Film School.
Since his return to the U.S. in 1996, Ace has produced, directed and appeared in his own independent film projects like Gangstaz, Urban Task Force, Psychotic, Fate, and Desert of Death.
