Prince of RnB Jay-R tries his acting skill once again in the new primetime series of GMA-7 titled La Lola.
The 27-year-old singer excitedly talked about his character, Pato, in the new comedy series when PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) interviewed him after the teleserye's press conference last Tuesday, October 6, at Dolce Bar on Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City.
"Ang tagal na rin since I got into a teleserye, e," said Jay-R. "You know, we're always busy and we're looking for the right part naman. Pero ito naman is a really good part, e."
For this role, Jay-R attended acting workshops. "Actually, maraming preparation this time, e. We did a lot of workshops for drama, for comedy. Okey siya, e. I've never been in a workshop before, pero sa La Lola, required talaga, e. So, it was kinda a nice, first time ko."
Does this mean that he will set aside his singing career for a while?
He answered, "Musikero po ako. I always focus on my music. Although I'm acting, I still focus on my music as well. Hinahati ko na lang po 'yong time ko po."
When not taping for La Lola, which usually takes three taping days, Jay-R practices for SOP or stays in his home to record songs for an album.
"'Yong apat na araw na hindi ako uma-acting, kumakanta ako," Jay-R told PEP. "For SOP, tinatapos ko 'yong album ko na Christmas album, tinatapos ko 'yong album ni Kyla, tinatapos ko 'yong album namin ni Iya [Villania], may duet album kami for World Peace, e. So, ang dami ko rin ginagawa.
"I'm producing two to three songs for her album [na] tinatapos namin. Medyo hectic ang schedule, so, last minute 'yong ginagawa namin, e. 'Yong kay Iya, buong album, duet album namin 'yon. Ano 'yon, e, parang it promotes peace, hindi lang dito sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong mundo, kaya magtu-tour kami. 'Yong launching, sa Europe, Japan, mga ganun."
Jay-R said he was glad to produce an album that could reach millions of people around the world.
"'Yong album na 'yon dadalhin doon kasi 'yong sa foundation na we're part of, Universal Peace Federation; they're affiliated with millions of people, e. so, once the album releases, ang daming mare-reach namin na tao, hindi lang Filipinos."
With all these projects, Jay-R knows that he would have a busier schedule.
"Very busy schedule. I'm finishing a lot of work right now," he reiterated. "'Tapos, three times a week pa 'yong taping namin. So, talagang every hour of the week, may trabaho talaga. Pero okey lang naman, kasi it's a very good opportunity, I'm not complaining at all."
Jay-R was first seen acting in the movie So Happy Together (2004). It was followed by several TV appearances, in shows like Love to Love (2004) and Encantadia (2006). He also appeared in two Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entries, Exodus (2005)and Desperadas (2008). He will still be part of the sequel of Desperadas in this year's MMFF.