John Lloyd Cruz, who will turn 27 on June 24, granted a tell-all interview with Boy Abunda on The Buzz which aired yesterday, June 20. This is where the actor finally revealed the real score of his relationship with young actress Shaina Magdayao.
EASY QUESTIONS. But before the "main course," Boy Abunda asked John Lloyd some "appetizer" questions.
How does it feel to be 27 years old?
"At 27, not bad," smiled John Lloyd. "Marami na din tayong nagawa and mayroon na tayong nagawa and nasimulan at mayroon na tayong naprotektahan at mayroon na tayong hawak ngayon na bagay na hindi lahat ng 27-year-old, e mayroon. So, 27, napakapalad ko."
Kailan mo iniisip na ikaw si John Lloyd? Kailan mo iniiisp na ikaw nga Box-Office King.
"Sa pangatlong pagkakataon, nakatanggap tayo ng recognition from the Guillermo Mendoza Foundation na Box-Office King," answered John Lloyd. "Para sa akin, napaka-special. Hindi dahil ako ang Box-Office King. Parang sa akin, special na pagdating ko ng 50 or 60, e, isang bagay ito na puwede mo ikuwento sa apo mo. Sarap pag-usapan."
With great recognition comes great new challenges and one specific challenge awaits the dramatic actor as he, for the first time, will appear in a fantaserye opposite Angel Locsin.
"It's called Imortal," explained John Lloyd. "Gusto ko iyong hindi mo alam kung ano mangyayari. Itong genre para sa akin, e, malaking challenge na in-oo ko lang kasi I wanted to do sometihng different, something new.
CONTROVERSIES. Is he aware about the past and recent controversies attached to his name? It may be remembered that rumors popped out about him dating Ruffa Gutierrez and Sarah Geronimo. Up to this day, he has not confirmed this.
With a serious look, John Lloyd explained, "Mahirap, napakahirap. Minsan sa sinasabi sa iyo ng tao, e, dapat huwag mo ipasok sa sistema mo."
"Let's start with the easy ones," Boy said. "Bad influence daw si John Lloyd sa kanyang mga kasama?"
After a pause, John Lloyd said, "Hindi ako makakapagsalita. Ayoko mag-claim na ako ay isang ehemplo sa mga kaibigan at sa mga kababata kong pinsan at sa taong malapit sa akin. Sana hindi kasi hindi mo naman alam ang epekto mo sa tao, e. Wala naman akong sinasabi o ginagawa na puwede magbigay sa kanila ng dahilan para malagay sila sa masama."
Is it true that he is a womanizer?
"Ouch!" John Lloyd laughed. "Hindi. Ang gusto ko sabihin na kesyo ganito, with Sarah and Ruffa. Sa akin, mga pangalan na iyan, e, lahat sila nagkaroon ng special part in my past. Huwag na nating gawin na at this very moment, e, lahat sila nasa tabi ko at yakap-yakap ko."
SARAH GERONIMO. Since he mentioned Sarah, there was a rumor that he told the 21-year-old singer to wait for him because he would woo her.
"That's not true," denied John Lloyd. "Hindi mo iyon sinasabi o pinapangako sa isang babae. Ano, mag-aantay ka diyan? After four or five years. Hindi mo naman alam ano mangyayari, e. Hindi ito totoo."
So what is the truth? Did he woo Sarah or fall for her?
"Mataas ang respeto natin sa katotohanan at gusto ko lang siya iwanan na may respeto sa kanya at sa magulang niya," he said. "Kung ano man ang importanteng katotohanan, e, sapat na na alam niya at alam ko ang katotohanan. Okay kami, wala akong problema."
When was the last time they met?
"Nagkausap kami prior to that day na nakita kami sa ASAP at nagkamustahan kami. Masaya siya and at that point, okay siya," revealed the actor.
RUFFA GUTIERREZ. It was said that his relationship with Sarah did not flourish because of Ruffa Gutierrez. Is this true?
"Hindi totoo," John Lloyd answered.
When asked if he had a relationship with Ruffa, he admitted, "Yeah, it was a very special relationship."
How about the rumor that Shaina Magdayao and Ruffa fought? It was said that the two supposedly fell for him nearly at the same time.
"Nagkausap sila and nagkaayos na. Tapos na," answered Lloydie referring to the confusion the controversy caused.
Nagkasabay ba or nag-overlap ba si Shaina at Ruffa?
"No."
SHAINA MAGDAYAO. Inagaw niya ba si Shaina kay John Prats (Shaina's ex-boyfriend)?
"No."
Alam niya ba na diumano'y masama ang loob ni John?
This time, John Llloyd said, "Iyon kasi ang nakakatawa saka sa kalagitnaan ng usap-usapan diyan, e, siyempre ang tamang gagawin ay kakausapin mo iyong tao. Nagkausap kami, lalake sa lalake. Okay, maayos."
They talked about Shaina?
"Yes," he admitted. "Ang nangyayari noon ay parang naaapektuhan na iyong reputation ng tao. Shaina was put in a bad light. Di ba, hindi naman iyon fair. Lalake sa lalake, sabi ko sa kanya na, 'Let us put our egos behind us.' Kung may naaapektuhan dito, e, ang babae."
Does this mean that he entered Shaina's life after John left the picture and he was not the reason for the breakup?
"Hindi," said John, referring to the breakup. "Matagal na kaming friends and matagal na kami sa trabaho."
Was it true that he was using Shaina to cover up his relationship with Ruffa?
"Sobrang dami nang angles," said John Lloyd. "Hindi naman ako magiging okay kung alam ko na mayroon akong tinatapakan o tinatago."
"YES, IT'S US." So to cut it short, is Shaina his girlfriend now?
"Matagal ko nang hinihintay ito!" laughed John Lloyd. "Once and for all, gusto ko sabihin at sagutin na, yes, it's us. I wanted to come out and once and for all say something kasi ang dami nang nag-take advantage sa pagtahimik ko. Hindi na maganda kasi marami nang taong nadadamay and marami na ang taong nasasaktan. Hindi na nakakatuwa."
"Dapat magsalita na ako," continued John Lloyd. "Para sa kanila at di para sa akin. Wala akong maiko-complain sa buhay ko. Sa lahat ng tao who don't mean me well, I wish them the same happiness I have right now."
Did he tell Shaina that he was going tell everyone that they were now a couple?
"Hindi, pero alam niya na siguro o sana naramdaman niya na hindi na ako tatahimik at hahayaan na patuloy na huhusgahan ang pangalan niya ng mga nag-iimbento na tao about me or her. Actually, the beauty of it, e, hindi ako dumating dito na alam ko ang gagawin ko. Hindi ako pumasok dito na alam ko sasabihin ko. Dumating siya, lumabas sa bibig ko, iyon ang totoo," he declared.
So what is his birthday message to himself?
"Ako, every time pag nalalapit na birthday ko, e, puno ako ng pasasalamat. Tingin ko, every year nangyayari itong mga bagay kasi it is time for me to give back sa mga taong kinauutangan ko ng loob," said the birthday boy.