Pribadong-pribado ang personal na buhay ng dating child actor na si Michael Roy Jornales kaya marami ang nagugulat kapag nalalaman nilang siya ang ama ni Heath Michael Jornales — ang promising 16-year-old actor na contract star ng Sparkle GMA Artist Center.
Pero kumpara sa kanyang anak, mas maagang nag-umpisa ang showbiz career ni Michael Roy, 41.
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Labing-isang taon ang kanyang edad nang sumali siya sa isang contest ng Sang Linggo nAPO Sila ng ABS-CBN noong 1995.
Lahad ni Michael Roy sa PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal): “I started when I was 11 years old. Nabuyo ako ng family and friends to join the contest ng 'Little Dream Boy' ng Sang Linggo nAPO Sila.
“They thought makakaya ko na manalo so I joined. Lahat ng contestants nag-sing and dance, but I performed mixed dance and martial arts with nunchucks.
“It’s a very different and unique performance during that time that’s why I won. Then nagulat kami na part of winning is a contract sa AngTV. That’s where it all started.”
Ang AngTV ay ang defunct sketch comedy show ng ABS-CBN tampok ang ilang child stars at teen stars.
Pero tulad ng ibang child actors, nawalan ng mga proyekto si Michael Roy nang tumuntong siya sa awkward age.
Sa panahong ito pinagtuunan ng pansin Michael Roy ang martial arts.
Pagbabahagi niya: “I finished high school sa home study program ng DECS RESPSCI, then first year college.
"But due to financial struggle and awkward age, on and off ako sa showbiz.
"It was my dry season so I had to stop and continue my martial-arts-fighting career instead.”
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MICHAEL ROY JORNALES'S MEMORABLE PROJECTS
Inisa-isa ni Michael Roy ang mga proyekto niyang tumatak nang husto sa kanya.
ANG TV MOVIE: ADARNA ADVENTURES (1996)
"After winning the contest 'Little Dream Boy,' within a few months, napili agad ako na isa sa mga cast at one of the lead roles sa Ang TV, The Movie alongside Paolo Contis, Patrick Garcia, Camille Prats, and Angelica Panganiban.
"Sobrang saya ng shoot namin at kakaibang adventure and experience for me."
ENCANTADIA (2005)
"I played the role of Apek, sidekick of Ybarro [Dingdong Dantes]. The show went on for years.
"When it ended, I wasn’t ready to let go of the Encantadia world. It was a very emotional moment for me kaya I cried in our last day of taping.”
ANG PROBINSYANO (2015-2020)
"I played the role of Francisco 'Chikoy' Rivera for five years. Towards the end of my role, I had the opportunity to direct, create, and choreograph my death scene with best actor Baron Geisler.”
PULANG ARAW (2024)
"I played the role of Jorhe, the guerilla leader. I Iove the character and the storyline of this show.
“I had the opportunity to showcase my acting, martial arts skills, and new look for my character.”
ALMOST PARADISE (Amazon Prime)
"This is my first international project. I got the role because of my martial arts skills which is needed in the scene.
“This is also my first full-English speaking role, for Season 1 and Season 2.”
Kasalukutang napapanood si Michael Roy sa Kapuso primetime series na Sanggang Dikit FR.
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MICHAEL ROY'S WIFE
Ang dating aktres na si Jemalene Estrada, na ipinakilala sa 2001 movie na Cool Dudes 24/7, ang asawa ni Michael Roy.
Ang Crying Ladies (2003) ang huling pelikula ni Jemalene dahil bumuo na sila ni Michael Roy ng pamilya.
Tatlo ang naging anak nila: sina Heather Mclene, Heath Michael, at Harah Miesha.
“My wife is Jemalene Estrada Jornales. We've been married for 11 years but we've been together for 18 years. We started as friends."
MICHAEL ROY ON SON HEATH MICHAEL
Nagkuwento rin si Michael Roy tungkol sa kanyang pangalawang anak na si Heath Michael, na isa sa most promising young stars ng GMA Network.
“We had Heath when I was 25 years old. Ako rin po ay nasorpresa na anak ko si Heath.
"Buti na lang, nagmana sa mommy!” pabirong sabi ni Michael Roy dahil marami ang hindi makapaniwalang anak niya si Heath dahil mestisong-mestiso ito.
“Si wifey, fan ni Heath Ledger as Joker sa Batman. Ako naman, gusto ko na Michael Jr. ang ipangalan kay Heath.
"Kaya para walang gulo, Heath Michael ang napagkasunduan namin."
Ayon kay Michael Roy, bata pa lang si Heath ay nakitaan na nila ito ng potensiyal maging artista.
“Nung baby pa lang si Heath, madalas na siyang kinukuha na model kasi cute siya katulad ko.
"We saw his potential so we started doing VTR for television commercials.
“Within a span of two years, he did 14 TV commercials and print ads already.
“Nakikita ko ang sarili ko kay Heath dahil para kaming pinagbiyak na bunga, mas nauna lang akong nabulok!” natatawang saad ni Michael Roy.
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HEATH MICHAEL: FUTURE MATINEE IDOL
Inamin ni Michael Roy na magkaiba ang tinatahak na landas ng kanyang anak pagdating sa showbiz.
Saad niya: "Kidding aside, actually, magkaiba kami ng path kasi pang-matinee idol at action star ang looks ni Heath. Samantalang ako, kontrabidang pangbaragan.
“Si Heath, mag-smile lang, tanggap agad, e.
"Ako, kailangan ko pang kumain ng apoy, tumulay sa alambre, at mag-tumbling para lang mapansin. Hehehe!"
Ayon pa kay Michael Roy, “Yung youngest child namin ni Jemalene, gustong-gusto rin mag-artista. Payag naman ako dahil she’s good in acting too and she sings well.”
Tatlong dekada nang artista si Michael Roy.
Marami raw siyang aral na natutunan na ibinahagi niya kay Heath, na tiyak na pakikinabangan nito para magtagal sa industriya na mahal na mahal ng kanyang ama.
Saad ni Michael Roy: “What I’ve learned in show business is always matutong makisama, respect your co-workers and everyone on the set.
“Be strong because it’s a tough industry, but it's also a rewarding and enjoyable job.
“So stay strong and keep going, keep learning new things all the time. Stay focused, and always improve. Be humble.
“My advice to Heath is to be humble always. Be professional, study your craft, love your job, have fear in the Lord, seek Jesus' will in all things and always pray.
“Matthew 6:33 - 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things will be added unto you.'"
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