In the media junket for Obra last week, GMA-7 announced that the show would feature young actor JC de Vera after its pilot month with Katrina Halili.
The 22-year-old actor confirmed this at the press conference of Regal Entertainment's Loving You held at the Imperial Palace Suites last Friday, August 8. But he had no idea yet about what characters he would be portraying in the Kapuso weekly drama anthology.
JC is now in hiatus from TV since his last teleserye, Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, wrapped up more than a month ago. The young actor said that he will come back through Obra.
The young actor felt glad that he was chosen to be the first male Kapuso star to be featured in Obra. JC said that this would be a good opportunity for the viewers to see his flexibility in portraying different characters.
"Masaya lang ako kasi nagbubunga na 'yong mga pinaghirapan ko. 'Yong mga pinaghirapan ko na sana ma-recognize ako at sana mahiwalay ang pangalan ko sa mga young artists sa GMA-7, na sana magkaroon ako ng edge sa kanila, na sana magkaroon ako ng programa," said the young actor.
Some people are intrigued about why, of all the Kapuso young actors, JC has been chosen as the first to be featured in Obra. But JC doesn't mind the issue.
He explained to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "Well, 'yong mga sinasabi nilang masasagasaan ko, dapat hindi sila mag-react. Kasi kung hindi sila magre-react, ibig sabihin hindi sila professional, di ba? Kasi ako, artist din ako. Hindi rin ako nagde-demand kung ano 'yong gusto kong project na gagawin.
"So, ang nangyari, kung ano ang gusto ng network para sa akin, hindi ako ang nag-decide nun. Ngayon, kung magre-react sila, huwag sila sa akin magalit. Magalit sila sa network, kasi ako, tumatanggap lang din naman ako."
JC is also sure that the other Kapuso artists would not take this negatively. "Pero alam ko naman na hindi rin naman sila magre-react. Lahat naman ng mga alam kong masasagasaan ko, may ginagawa din. Ako lang 'yong wala, so ibigay na lang nila sa akin."
NO TO GAY ROLES. An entertainment writer asked JC if he would be willing to play a gay role in Obra. He immediately replied, "Ayaw ko. Ewan ko po, ayaw ko lang."
He continued, "Well, siguro depende kung paanong gay role ba 'yon. ‘'Yong iba kasi, masyadong ano, e... Ayaw ko nung malaswa kasi."
JC also explained that playing this role might not be good for his image.
"Siguro ngayon, hindi pa 'yon yung stage na kailangan ko pang gampanan na roles. Kasi nagpo-portray pa naman kasi ako ng wholesome image, e, so siguro hindi pa talaga 'yon yung time para pumasok ako sa ganung roles," explained JC.
The young actor said that such roles would still depend on the decision of his talent manager, Annabelle Rama.
"Siguro hindi pa ako ready sa ganun [role]," he said. "At siguro kung may guidance naman ni Tita Annabelle, okay naman siguro kung ano ang sasabihin niya. Pero 'yon nga, depende naman sa mapag-uusapan, e. Kasi siyempre, may mga bagay na ayoko pang gawin ngayon."
PEP asked JC what kind of roles he wants to portray, given the chance. He answered, "Ever since talaga gusto kong magkaroon na dark na character—'yong mga psycho, mga bad roles talaga."
He said that this would make him different from other actors his age.
"Kumbaga, hindi ko pa kasi nagagawa kaya siguro maganda na 'yon ang gawin ko para at least magkaroon ako ng edge sa mga nakasabayan ko. Para iba, kasi most of the time, puro goody-goody naman ang pino-portray ko, e. Para at least naman, ako 'yong first na maggaganun na bata."
Does he think he can pull off this kind of character?
"Kaya siguro," JC confidently said. "Kaya 'yon kung magiging disiplinado ka, kung bibigyan mo ng preparation lahat. And magagaling naman ang directors doon kaya alam kong magagawa ko rin 'yon."
Aside from Loving You and Obra, JC will soon be seen in La Lola for GMA-7, where he will be paired with young actress Rhian Ramos. He will also a do movie for GMA Films, which will be shown before Christmas, and another movie intended for the 2008 Metro Manila Film Festival.