Actor John Lloyd Cruz was unflustered although he was already two hours late to the launch of the newly-renovated Greenwich Robinson's Galleria branch, which he endorses, yesterday, July 13. The celebrity endorser looked friendly and accommodating even with a current controversy hovering around.

Respecting the request of the big bosses of the pizza chain, however, the entertainment press did not ask John Lloyd about his rumored relationship with actress and TV host Ruffa Gutierrez, so that he would not lose his good mood.

But the reporters were able to ask John Lloyd about his U.S. vacation, which he claims was not fully refreshing for him. The Box-Office King went to the U.S. last month to join the Star Magic Concert Tour and to rest for his birthday. He was not able to rest well, however, because showbiz news back home was abuzz with sightings of the actor spending time with Ruffa.

"Okay ang bakasyon...pero di masyadong refreshing. Hindi naman lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na hindi pa ako nakakabalik dito, e, pinagpipiyestahan na ng lahat ang ilang pictures na nabigyan ng iba't ibang kulay. Sa gano'ng paraan, siyempre, hindi mo maiiwasang mag-alala," explained John Lloyd.

JOHN LLOYD'S BIRTHDAY. The award-winning actor added that he was not able to prepare for his 26th birthday celebration last June 24. He just attended another friend's birthday party, and so the day just passed like any normal day.

"Exact birthday ko nakatulog ako sa ibang bahay. Kasi ganun sa Amerika, e. Pagka pumunta ka ng party at medyo nag-celebrate kayo nang konti, meaning uminom kayo ng konti, hindi ka na puwede mag-drive. Siyempre, 'pag ganun yung friend mo na taga-do'n, doble ingat.

"Hindi na namin ni-risk, basta it was less than an hour drive from L.A. to that place, so nag-sleep-over na kami ro'n. Umuwi ako the following day for take-off, and nag-shopping lang ako nang konti. Ganun lang ka-simple," John Lloyd narrated.

BACK TO WORK. Even if he was not that rested during his vacation, the actor said he was happy to return to Manila since work was waiting for him. John Lloyd is currently shooting a movie with Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos titled In My Life, and he was given a new hotdog endorsement.

John Lloyd is also set to make a primetime soap opera with Angel Locsin soon, a project which he said will happen this year.

"I'm hoping na after nitong soap niya [Angel], after ng Only You, at pagka puwede na akong magsimula for a new soap... I'm really hoping na mangyari na siya, this year," he said.

Bea-John Lloyd fans, meanwhile, need not worry because the tandem will have a comeback movie before the end of the year. The loveteam's last movie team-up was the highly-succesful Star Cinema romantic movie One More Chance (2007).

The press then asked what John Lloyd thinks about Bea Alonzo's more mature image showcased in her new movie And I Love You So with Sam Milby.

"I think she's more confident now... Mas willing siya to take in new roles, more mature, more sensitive, more daring, hindi lang in terms of sexuality, more daring. Mas malawak talaga. So I'm very happy na ganun ang nakikita ko sa kanya... Papunta siya sa maturity, sa growth na gusto niyang maabot," John Lloyd praised Bea.