Why John Lapus became ‘Sweet’

Everyone knows him as the “Universal Sweet” or calls him by his nickname Sweet, but do you know the real reason why John Lapus is called that?

Yes, there’s a story behind it, says John. During a one-on-one interview after the press gathering for his latest show Doble Kara on the Kapamilya network, the actor-host-comedian says there was a time, when he was still part of a showbiz talk show, that he was given a segment where he had the freedom to pick on anyone he wanted. The segment was called Prangka Ka John in Cristy Per Minute. Says John: “Five minutes ‘yon, Monday to Friday, nang-ookray lang ako ng artista. Talagang ang ginagawa ko, tirahin ang dapat tirahin, wala akong pakialam. As in, binigyan ako ng freedom, tinatanong ako, ‘Sino ang gusto mong okrayin today?’”

The segment became popular among viewers, but in the end, it made John uncomfortable. “The segment became so popular but I gained a lot of enemies,” he says. “When I became an actor, I then realized that you will really get hurt if someone picks on you or makes fun of you. From then on, it was conscious effort on my end to be sweet. Ayoko ng image na you’re famous for hurting other people, na you become the official taga-okray ng industry. I learned to consider the feelings of my fellow artists.”

Now, he has an online talk show, Korek Ka John (every Wednesday, 5 p.m. on Push.com), where he gets to express his opinions, but always within the bounds of what’s right and proper and making sure he never oversteps his bounds. “May commentary ako, where I get to share my feelings on some issues. Pero ngayon, gusto ko, sweet na. Kapag may ginagawang bad ang isang artista, or may situation na pangit, I’ll still say my piece pero mas maganda maging as sweet as possible.”

Aside from his online talk show, John still acts on screen. His latest assignment is Doble Kara with Julia Montes where he plays a “Tita” role. The show revolves around the lives of twins Kara and Sarah (both played by Julia). John is playing a gay role, but he pours into it the same kind of effort that he would put into a straight role. Just because he’s gay doesn’t mean playing gay roles is automatically easier. The effort required is the same.

“Well, it’s technically easier compared to straight men playing gay roles,” he reflects on his role in Doble Kara. “Ako din, I played straight guy roles before, nahirapan din ako. (There’s the movie) Masakit sa Dibdib with Rufa Mae Quinto, ako ang kuya niya, all throughout the movie, I was straight with the Viva Hot Babes as girlfriends. May kissing scene, may bed scene na the people were waiting for the punchline. Nag-iisip sila, joke ba ito na lalaki si John Lapus?”

There was also the award-winning Here Comes the Bride where John’s character was possessed by an elderly straight guy, played by Jaime Fabregas. To be able to pull it off, John attended acting workshops, did his research and spent time with his straight guy friends. “Before shooting, nakikipag-bonding ako with them,” says John. “Nahirapan din ako. There’s a constant effort on my end na lahat ng roles ko have to look different. Meron talagang acting involved, kahit gay role pa ‘yan. Ang feeling ko, after 32 years in show business, alam na ng tao kung si John Lapus ay umaarte o hindi. If there is one thing that I don’t want to be bashed, that is my work. As an artist, laitin na ang dapat laitin sa akin, pero thank God hindi pa naman nangyari, kasi ayoko talaga. Na fla-flatter ako ‘pag sinasabihan ako na magaling ako, kasi ‘yon lang ang pinanghahawakan ko sa work ko. I’m not a big star, I’m not even bankable for that matter. So ‘pag sinasabihan ako ng magaling, sapat na. I’ll take that.”

John has learned to disengage himself from bashers. “Pag di totoo, di ko pinapatulan. They don’t bother me. Yun ang mga advantages na hindi ako big star, I don’t get as much bashing. I can imagine the difficulty of big stars — yung kinakain nila, lakad nila, lugar na pinupuntahan nila, lahat may bashing. I enjoy going to church alone, with friends or family, I enjoy doing groceries by myself. I still get to enjoy my private life.”