John Prats prays for Shaina Magdayao to be his girlfriend

After 17 years of being with ABS-CBN, John Prats is grateful that he was finally given a chance to play a title role in Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo's Tiny Tony.

"This is my first title role!" blurted John Prats before the entertainment media was led to the press screening of Tiny Tony last night, October 2, at the 9501 restaurant of ABS-CBN.

After the screening, John told the media why he is excited about his superhero series. "Siguro dahil first time ko na ako lang," he said. "Like, nabuhay kasi talaga ako sa grupo ng John, Carlo [Aquino], Stefano [Mori] from the start, G-Mik, ganyan, laging may kasama. This is the first time na John Prats as Tiny Tony, na title role at walang kasama."

During the press conference, John also said that this is one of the projects that was offered to him after the issue of transferring to GMA-7 broke out.

So, does this mean that GMA-7 really gave him an offer?

The 24-year-old actor said, "Noong sinabi ko sa The Buzz, oo, mayroong offers, pero hindi po ako pinayagan ng ABS-CBN."

What are the other projects that were promised to him by his home network?

"'Yong sa akin naman kasi, 'yong offer sa akin na Tiny Tony 'tapos ginawa ko na 'yong Your Song namin ni Ms. Aiko [Melendez], and then abangan n'yo po ako, papasok po ako sa [I Love Betty La Fea]. Then, eventually, 'yong isang secret project na I'm sure malalaman n'yo soon."

John clarified that he did not choose to stay with ABS-CBN because of these shows. He said, "Siguro sa akin, kaya ako nag-stay, na nag-stay ako dito for 17 years, when Tita Cory [Vidanes, ABS-CBN VP for Programming] and Deo [Edrinal, ABS-CBN Business Head] talked to me. That's enough assurance na and nakikita ko naman 'yong in-assure nila sa akin, so sobrang happy na talaga ako."

SHAINA, JOHN'S IDEAL GIRL. Some reporters also asked John if there will be a chance for him to work with Shaina Magdayao, whom he is courting, since he plays Tiny Tony and Shaina plays Dragonain the next Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo series.

John laughed and said, "Well, ang sa akin naman, abangan na lang siguro nila kung ano 'yong mangyayari. Basta I'm excited, hindi pa ako puwedeng magsalita tungkol doon."

He added that he's open to whatever the network's decision would be for him and Shaina.

"'Yong akin naman po kasi, lagi kong sinasabi na it's a management decision. But sa akin naman kasi, wala akong problema kung makasama ko siya o makatrabaho ko siya, okay lang. Kasi, 'yong sa akin naman, 'yong intensyon ko naman sa kanya is something personal. I don't want it na mahaluan ng showbiz. But if it's worth it naman, why not? Okay lang naman sa akin."

So, what's the real score between him and Vina Morales's sister now?

John said his still exclusively dating Shaina. He added, "Kaya lang nagkakahirapan din, lagi lang kami nagkikita kapag Sunday, kapag ASAP, kasi 'yon lang 'yong show na magkasama kami. Other than that, we just text and kapag may time, lagi ko naman sinasabi, I'll just go to their house and say hello to her family."

The former child star must be really serious to win the Shaina's heart. He tells the media, "Sana po [siya na]. Every night I pray. [She is an] ideal girl, yes. Pero ako naman, lahat naman ginagawa ko naman para, siyempre, doon mag-end 'yong mga pangyayari."

HAPPY UNCLE. When John's sister Camille Prats gave birth to her first son, Nathaniel Ceasar, with husband Anthony Linsangan, John said that it's been normal for him to get questions like, "Hindi ka ba naiinggit kay Camille?"

John always replies, "Naku, hindi po!"

He explained, "Ako naman, lagi ko namang sinasabi na 30 siguro ang ideal age ko, basta kapag settled na siguro ako. Ngayon naman kasi, sa amin ni Cams, lagi nga akong tinatanong kung hindi ba ako naiinggit na may baby na siya.