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‘It’s part of a journey’

John Lloyd Cruz is philosophical about each role he plays

“IT’S SURREAL, BUT nice,” said a flustered John Lloyd Cruz. The young actor was responding to a comment made by veteran actor Christopher de Leon, with whom he worked in ABS-CBN’s groundbreaking primetime drama Maging Sino Ka Man.

In a recent interview during the press conference for his latest TV series, Christopher had referred to John Lloyd as one of the finest actors of his generation. “I take my hat off to him. He’s such a good, thinking actor. He’s not flamboyant, but he knows what he should give in a scene. His style is simple, and that’s good,” said the multi-awarded actor.

John Lloyd was flattered, and was at a loss for words when told of what de Leon had said. “It’s hard to explain how I feel right now on hearing that. When we were doing Maging Sino Ka Man, I had to pinch myself, because I couldn’t believe that I was there, working with him. To our generation of actors, he’s an icon. It’s a privilege just to share the same space with him. Working with him was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.”

Although he is acknowledged as one of the best young actors in the business, John Lloyd says he is far from poised to follow in de Leon’s footsteps. “I still have so much to learn,” he told reporters at the press conference for his latest project, a special episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya in which he plays a young husband who suffers from schizophrenia. Playing his wife is Alessandra de Rossi.

He is very excited to play the role, because it challenges him as an actor. John Lloyd is one actor who tries to better himself with each performance. He remembers what veteran actress Caridad Sanchez told him once: “She said, ‘Acting is life. You never stop learning.’ “

So John Lloyd approaches each role as a learning experience. He also tries to keep an even keel when people praise his acting. He doesn’t want their comments to go to his head. “It’s always good to appreciate your own efforts, but that should be as far as it goes,” he says. “You should never let it get any farther than that. Like when I look at my own acting, I always look for what I think is lacking so I can make it better.”

Each role he plays is not just a role to him. “It’s part of a journey that I’m taking,” he says. “I can only hope that people will join me on this journey.”

citytime@emirates.net.ae