After the successful pairing of John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo in the movie A Very Special Love, the 25-year-old actor is back on his long-time onscreen partner Bea Alonzo in I Love You, Betty La Fea. He will be playing the leading man, Armando Solis, on this Philippine adaptation of Columbian series.
Although John Lloyd has been very vocal about his plans of trying out new things for his showbiz career, it did not come as surprise to most of their fans that John Lloyd would be paired again with Bea.
John Lloyd confessed that he knew about this even before the showing of the movie A Very Special Love. However, he explained in an interview after the press conference of I Love You, Betty La Fea last night in ABS-CBN compound that he had to keep it for the promotion of the film.
"Nalaman ko naman talaga, bago ipalabas 'yong A Very Special Love," he said, "And siyempre, kailangan din naman nila akong maintindihan na kailangan kong mapangalagaan ang kapakanan ng pelikula. Secondly, ginawa nilang ano, 'yong sequence ng pagpapakilala, e. Una, si Bea as Betty La Fea, 'tapos si Ruffa, 'tapos si Vhong, 'tapos ako."
What happened to his intention of staying away from his team up with Bea for a while?
The actor said that he would like to do this if he would be given a choice. He further explained, "'Yong dati kasi na hindi ko pa alam, kung papipiliin ka, baka puwedeng hindi muna. Siyempre, mayroon kang sarili mong gustong mangyari, e. Pero kapag hinarap na sa 'yo sa palad mo—ang offer, ang istorya, ang papel mo, gagampanan mo dito—mapapaisip ka rin. Parang guguhurin 'yong na-set mo, e. Parang kailangan mo rin talaga ng sustaining [project]. "
Another reason that John Lloyd pointed out was the craving
of their fans to have another Bea-John Lloyd project together. He said, he could not resist the
requests of their fans who have brought them the fame they have now.
"Ako, ang laki kasi ng naging impact sa akin na marami talaga ang naghihintay sa amin, parang ang daming naghihintay ng project sa amin ni Bea. Siyempre, ako, gusto ko lang ibalik kasi for eight years nga sinuportahan kami ni Bea bilang team up.
"So parang ito, panibagong vehicle para sa team up namin na talagang nanggigil sila na parang, ‘Please, gawin n'yo ‘yan, gawin n'yo ‘yan.' Ang ayaw naman naming i-let down 'yong mga taong sumuporta sa amin ng ganung kahabang panahon. Somehow, we owe it to them. Ang laki ng ginampanan nilang papel sa amin kaya kami tumagal hanggang ngayon."
JOHN LLOYD-SARAH MOVIE SEQUEL. John Lloyd also confirmed during the interview that there are plans to do a follow-up movie on A Very Special Love. Upon knowing this, John Lloyd feels both excited and nervous.
The young actor admitted that he was afraid about the huge success of his first movie with the Popstar Princess. "Nakakatakot na kapag naging successful ka [sa movie], nakakatakot na kung hindi mo mapantayan, dapat malagpasan mo. E, 'di ba, bihira sa sequel na mapantayan o nalampasan 'yong part one."
In fact, he was very nervous that he said, "Nakakatakot lang, pero kung ako ang papipiliin, huwag na muna. Iwan na muna natin doon sa ganoong kataas."
Despite this, John Lloyd still believes in their team up and thinks that they can still give something more to their audience. "Pero siyempre, kagaya ng kahit ano'ng successful movie, kailangan mong sundan," he said.
There are rumors that this movie may compete with the second installment of KC Concepcion-Richard Gutierrez flick since it is also intended for Valentine's day.
"Hindi ko alam kung head on talaga ang pagtatapat, e. Feeling ko may magbibigay, e," said John Lloyd.
Later on he thought, "Imposible naman daw 'ata, e. Pero kasi nagkakaroon ng conflict dahil si KC, may Sharon dito, associated pa rin sa ABS-CBN and hindi naman siguro gagawin ng Star Cinema 'yon."
WORKING WITH OTHER NETWORK'S TALENTS. Like other actors who are bound to exclusive contract with their mother networks, John Lloyd is also open to the idea of working with other celebrities from the rival network.
Before, he wished for a project with Angel Locsin when she was still with GMA-7. Now, there are reports saying that Regal Entertainment wants to pair him with GMA-7's prime actress Marian Rivera.
John Lloyd felt glad to hear about this plan. He said, "Siguro, nanggagaling 'yon doon sa uhaw naming mga artista dito na parang, alam mo ' yon, gusto mong makatrabaho kahit hindi mga flag-bearer ng kabila. Ngayon, siyempre may gusto kang makatrabaho. Kung mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, talagang gugustuhin ko."
What does he feel about the possibility of him working with Marian?
"I'm very excited, sa idea pa lang nga, e, nae-excite na ako, what more kung mag-materialize," ended John Lloyd.