Former Kapamilya TJ Trinidad stars in his first project as a Kapuso via the Pinoy adaptation of the classic adventures of Zorro. As Ramon Pelaez, TJ is the main antagonist in the life of Richard Gutierrez's character, Antonio Pelaez and the masked hero Zorro.
At the grand launch of Zorro last March 16, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked TJ how he feels about working for the Kapuso network.
"Wow, it's been a great start!" he beamed. "Busy start. Pero everyone is very nice to me. Mabait yung staff, yung crew 'tsaka yung mga artista na nakakatrabaho ko. Lahat sila mabait at maganda yung pagtanggap sa akin."
This is not the first time that TJ has worked with GMA-7. The actor was in the cast of the movie The Promise (2007) from GMA Films and Regal Entertainment, starring Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin. Here in Zorro, TJ is reunited with Richard and Rhian Ramos.
"I had a sort of a taste of it na. Pero iba na 'to, e. Ito, taping na TV," he said.
How is it so far?
"Great, it's great! It's just been a like one, big...it's sort of an adventure. Not just the people you work with, the story of Zorro, and all that, it's been a great fun. Napakasaya ng taping. Napaka-challenging sa amin kasi kontrabida ako, e."
Zorro is being shot entirely at a Spanish-inspired location in Bagac, Bataan. TJ said that the whole cast is enjoying the set so much that they practically live there already.
"Oo, kasi isolated kami, e. Meron kaming compound na pinagte-taping-an. The owner actually built Spanish homes, really... Feeling namin nasa backlot kami ng Warner kasi walang pumapasok, kami lang. Parang sound stage siya na malaki, cobblestone... By the beach, by the mountain, 'tapos may sapang palay sa likod. It's amazing! Sa tuwing break, nangangabayo ako."
Aside from horseback riding, some of the cast members, including TJ, also have to learn fencing.
"Nakakapagod pala sa forearm," TJ said animatedly. "Akala ko sa legs, e, kasi lunging. Pero it's more tiring sa forearm kasi ito nga yung sword [shows his sword], medyo mabigat, e... What a great experience!"
Is this his first time to play a villain?
"Not really. [In] Hiram Na Mukha, I played ano there, e, crazy doctor with Heart Evangelista and Geoff Eigennman [who are also both with GMA-7 now]. So, this is different naman. It's a different approach. But I think I'm more evil here."
TJ added that his character was not patterned after any character in the Hollywood version of Zorro starring Antonio Banderas. But he pegged his character after Jim Caviezel's character in The Count of Monte Cristo.
What is the difference working with GMA-7 and with ABS-CBN?
"You know, I can't say na that there's really like a big difference. You know what I mean? Everybody works hard. Taping ends late, starts early, ends late. Everybody just works hard and does their job. So in that respect it's very similar.
"But I guess because nasa ano kami, nasa isolated kami, we're taping like six days at a time. So yung bonding namin, it was mabilis. Kasi kami-kami lang nandun, e. So, it's the feeling of being part of something... Practically, kung may one day rest, hindi na kami umuuwi, e, kasi malayo."
Does he have other projects in GMA-7 aside from Zorro?
"For now, it's just this muna. Idon't know yet what Tita Annabelle [Rama, his manager] and I are... We have yet to discuss. But I did the Cinemalaya film for 2009 called Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe. It's a Cinemalaya entry, so that would be shown on July. And then I'll be doing one more indie film."
Is Zorro his biggest project yet?
"TV, yes," he answered. "Well, you know the biggest project... This is regarding the scope and in terms of monetary, production. Of course the biggest role for me when I was beginning was Gulong ng Palad. That was huge. But regards to like being big, it's Zorro. Alam mo yun, this is a franchise from Hollywood."
Is he aware that his role in Zorro was originally intended for Marvin Agustin, but TJ's manager, Annabelle, reportedly did not approve and wanted to cast him instead?
"Yeah, somebody told me," he replied. "But you know, I mean for me it's a moot point, e. Because in the end, tapos na, we started. I mean, I got it. I'm happy that I got the part. I just make sure that, you know, parang hindi sila magre-regret na kinuha nila ako. I'm pretty sure they won't naman."
Is he affected by his manager's quarrel with GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante?
"Hindi na ako nakikihalo diyan kasi I think, at this level, parang wala akong pakialam dun, e. Ang trabaho ko lang is... You know, I have parameters, I act and all that. I don't mix up with whatever problems that may be with her and..."
Isn't he worried that if this feud escalates, he and other talents of Annabelle who are in GMA-7 will also be affected?
"Well, I don't think naman... Well, first of all, kung lumaki, that's something I'm sure we're all discussing as part of Royale Era. But right now, there's nothing too alarming, not yet. I don't think about that. 'Tsaka hindi ko naman alam yung totoong gulo nila, e, yung kaguluhan na 'yan. I just do the best job I can," TJ said in closing.