Veteran Star Tirso Cruz muses about the past, present, and future of show business

CEBU, Philippines - Long before there were over-zealous Kimerald fans who were said to have threatened Bea Alonzo with an acid douse on the face for getting between their favorite pair Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, there were the much, much more phenomenally hardcore Guy-and-Pip followers of Tirso Cruz III and Nora Aunor’s tandem in the ‘70s to the ‘80s. In his own words, Tirso describes the fanaticism towards him and the Superstar as simply “unbelievable.”

While one half of Philippine cinema’s most successful loveteam has long been inactive in the scene, the former matinee idol has endured the challenges and innovations that the next decades offered. He is still at it, still reaping accolades, still maintaining respect from fans and industry colleagues.

On the first quarter of 2011, he will test himself yet again in a role he is portraying for the very first time: a drag queen named Sarsi in GMA 7’s upcoming primetime series “I Heart You Pare” starring Regine Velasquez and Dingdong Dantes. This, after his fellow veteran middle-aged actors have recently essayed gay roles on TV soaps to good reviews, such as Robert Arevalo in “Magkaribal” and Bembol Roco in “Beauty Queen.”

By January, he will also start shooting for Joel Lamangan’s indie film “Deadline”, a political thriller on media killings and warlordism in the Philippines—a plot that strikes similar with the 2009 Ampatuan massacre in Maguindanao. He will play a governor who will order his men to kill the Mindanao-based journalists on an election coverage. 

In this interview with The FREEMAN, he lets us in on a cute trivia that the life-sized doll Maria Leonora Theresa which was a gift from Pip to Guy and whom the pair considered as their daughter in a film, is in his possession, kept in a space in his home all these years. He also talks of their time when no Facebook, blog or Twitter could connect them to fans, which was why they were followed everywhere just so the fans could get close to them. Here’s the multi-awarded actor musing on the past and the present (and who he thinks might be the future Tirso Cruz): 

How old were you when you started out? I come from a family of musicians so I started in the business as a singer, not as an actor. As early as 13, I was already singing at lounges. I got into the movies when I was 17. Guy and Pip was the “in” thing then, many moons ago. Ang joke nga sa amin noon, we were an accident waiting for a place to happen. It was the height of bold movies kasi, so the people were already looking for change, something new. Eh eto yung dalawang teenagers na musicals ang ginagawa. 

When was the last time you saw Nora Aunor? Years ago. I saw her in the States because there were times na may mga producers who would like to do concerts for us. Every now and then, I get lucky na once or twice a year, I’m in the US to do concerts. 

Is there a difference with how loveteams work now compared to your time? Wala naman masyadong changes. Well, I would like to believe that we started the unbelievable screaming talaga from fans. We couldn’t believe the following we created. People ask me, what’s the secret of the loveteam? Sabi ko, there’s no secret. It’s just that we came at the right time. The combination was something the people tended to identify with. Our fans became personally attached to us. They were part of our lives. A lot of them were following us anywhere at sumusunod sa bahay. Niloloko nga kami, ang dami daw namin sinirang pag-aaral ng mga bata. They were so into us that they forsook everything and just followed us.  

Would you say it’s a good thing that fans these days are less obsessive? In a way. But I’m not putting the fans down. Today, fans are still as impulsive and passionate in supporting the stars they follow. Siguro because we have the technology now so it’s easier to get in touch with their idols. Dati, kailangan magmi-meet sila. Landline phone lang ang system of communication noon. Noong araw, kami lang ang parang form of leisure nila. Now there are a lot of entertainment alternatives.

What would you advise a loveteam on how to handle rabid fans? Huwag niyo lang talagang pabayaan ang fans. You will be having personal problems, but when you go up on stage, when you appear in front of that screen, the people are not there to sympathize with you because of your problems. They came there to watch you perform so you have to learn to detach your personal life from your work as an actor. No matter what, I drop everything and don’t carry problems when I go on stage. Everytime a fan approaches you, make sure you give them time. Because these people go out of their way to see you, have an autograph and get a picture. I guess it’s only right that we reward them with that because they’re the reason we’re here. Without those followers, our career will fizzle out. 

How about the showbiz industry in general, how is it much different now? Ngayon, it’s TV that’s lording it out over movies. The only thing that’s keeping the movie industry afloat are independent films. With TV kasi, people are at home. They don’t pay for anything except electricity. You’re at the mercy of the remote kasi ang daming shows na pagpipilian. Also, the pay now has doubled 20  times than what we were getting then. We’ve got better directors now. If you’re only sensitive about it, directors can really guide you in improving your craft and how to attack a character.

Among this generation’s actors, who do see following in your footsteps? Hard to say, but I know of one who I have very high respect for. Si John Lloyd Cruz. I got to know him so many years ago. Noon pa lang nakita ko na, at a very young age he was serious about his craft. He’s very deep, sensible and emotional. He knows how to attack his character. Pag nag-drama siya, yung believability niya ang galing.

With all the awards you’ve received, do you still get excited when given yet another these days? It always gives you a good feeling. I would be lying if I say I don’t hope for it. Of course, you hope for it, that’s why you always put your best foot forward and try to better your craft. Sabi nga nila, in this business, you can always outdo yourself. So every award I get gives me a boost. It makes me think, I’m doing right, I’m still good siguro for the industry, I’m still able to give life to characters I portray. You don’t get roles that are really meaty every time you do a movie. Sometimes, in the mainstream which is our bread and butter, there are roles that are not as interesting. And then, sometimes you get lucky. Bigla kang mabibigyan ng character na talagang napakaganda at napaka-complex. So you just have to put your best foot forward everytime. Of course, no actor can claim that he’s good or he won an award all by himself. The people you work with make you look good. The characters you are interacting with and their portrayals also gives you a boost. It’s a concerted effort. Not one actor can say he owes it to himself alone for winning an award. 

What do you think is the secret behind your staying power? The secret is with the people. You’re only as good as when the people want to see you, and somehow you’re able to deliver entertainment in your own small way. I’ve also been blessed with followers that up to now nanonood. I’ve been blessed with directors who make you look good on-screen. 

Since two of your children (Bodie and Djanin Cruz) have also joined showbiz, did you give them pointers? There’s no surefire book on how to become successful in showbiz. I tell them not to treat it as a fleeting or just a fun thing to do. This is a profession. It’s not something that you toy around with or enjoy just because you get popular. Popularity is only one aspect of this business. There are phases. You may start out popular, but as you progress, you have to grow and develop. You have to keep on improving your craft, or else, you’re going to be left behind. The good thing that we have now are the workshops. During our time, walang ganyan. It was a hit-and-miss thing. Now, they have everything right there, all they have to do is immerse themselves and take it seriously. 

You imposed on them to finish school first before joining the biz, right? That’s why ngayon lang sila naka-start kasi I told them, you don’t hit it everytime. Many people got into this business, there was nothing wrong with them. It’s just that wrong timing, they didn’t fit right, or the moment they came in, hindi pa sila ready. The greatest frustration of my life was not being able to finish my studies because when I was getting into first year college, it was the height of Guy and Pip. I had to make a decision between studies and work, or else I’d die. Hindi na ako natutulog eh! Nung first few months, matatapos kami ng shooting sa umaga, tutuloy ako sa eskwelahan. In the middle of the class, gigisingin ako ng professor kasi nakatulog ako. The business was good then so I decided to stop school. That’s why I told my kids, believe me, there’s nothing like having a diploma. I told them, if you study hard enough, you’ll finish early, and you’ll have more than enough time to get into this business if you want. True enough, I’ve been blessed with three very good children who all graduated at the age of 19. 

Are you a strict dad? I’m like your ordinary father. The times they were growing up, when they were wrong I would call their attention. They’d get a little spanking because I believe in “spare the rod, spoil the child.” Of course, as they grew up, you have to let go of the reins. You can’t be watching over them 24/7. When they reached the age of accountability, you slowly give them leeway. 

How have you maintained a happy family life? The big factor is the partnership between me and my wife. There are a lot of temptations in this job, I give my marriage that sanctity and make it a priority. I may compromise some things, but I will not compromise my marriage and my kids. Marriage vows are treated as just another thing but if you sit down and think hard about it, you took a vow in front of God. You said for better or worse, for richer or poorer... and some people just parrot it. You see big weddings where they spend millions, but after a year or so they’re separated. Sometimes, you’ll see a wedding na simple lang but after 30 years, they’re still together. Me, I do my part as husband, my wife does her part. Given the choice of doing something that would benefit me but would be detrimental for my married life, I will always go for my married life and leave however tempting an offer may be.