John Lloyd Cruz feels pressure of being idolized by peers

CEBU, Philippines - Living in a fishbowl does take a toll on three-time Box Office King John Lloyd Cruz, that he has often contemplated packing his bags for another country. If he could, he'd pick a place where no one recognizes him so he can freely conduct charity missions without all the media circus and fan craze to accompany his every move.

Reveals the actor during an open forum initiated by analgesic brand Biogesic at one of Radisson Blu Hotel's function rooms last Feb. 19, "I want to go to unknown places in Africa and do community work. You might ask, why Africa when there are many depressed places in our country? Kasi gusto ko yung bagong simula, yung pumunta sa lugar na walang nakakakilala sa akin. Yung walang istorbo na pa-picture kasi gusto ko lang magtrabaho."

This was in response to a question if John Lloyd, who enjoys status as trusted endorser of big-name brands, has it in mind to utilize his influence by actively pushing for certain advocacies. He adds that he is aching to be of use to society in some other way, but that a punishing showbiz schedule hinders him from pursuing that goal anytime soon.

"I'd really like to do that someday, but right now it's not a priority. But other people tell me that with the work I'm doing now as an actor, in a way, I'm also living out my purpose," he quips.

Take note though that he declares this desire to work incognito without coming off as a whining celebrity unappreciative of fame and the support of his fans. Who is he to complain, when many an actor -- newbie or otherwise -- would love to trade places with the credible leading man at any given time? It could just be that the constant negative speculation and scandalous rumors pertaining to his romantic affairs test his patience once in a while.

He refutes the perception of a problematic relationship with Shaina Magdayao when asked if his lovelife has been recently giving him a headache.

"Nagtataka ako why people seem to think my lovelife is challenging when we're just really a normal couple. Tulad lang nung issue about us being hospitalized, only a sick mind could possibly come up with such. There are times na gusto kong patulan. But after thinking about it, I tell myself that I won't give them the pleasure," he says.

While the media glare is pressure enough, John Lloyd sees the admiration of peers as added bulk on his shoulders. But make no mistake about it --- the Star Magic talent is very flattered when we tell him that almost all male upstarts we've interviewed (whether a Kapuso or Kapamilya) are asked whose footsteps they'd like to follow, the name John Lloyd Cruz most never fails to come up.

"Talaga?" he says. "Medyo mabigat yun. Una, it's very flattering. Salamat kasi it's good to hear things like that. I don't design every move in my career para tularan or para gayahin ako ng iba. Mabigat on my end, kasi hindi biro na maraming tumitingin sayo at ikaw ang gusto nila maging katulad. Dapat mas ingatan ko yung every move ko. But after 14 years in the business, kung ano man ang mangyari in the next few years, it's going to be part of what I've become and who I really am."

After the Q&A at Radisson moderated by "MagTV Na!" host Phoebe Kaye Fernandez, John Lloyd appeared on stage at the SM City Cebu Event Centre for the special Ingat Fans Day event in celebration of his five fruitful years as brand endorser of Biogesic Tablet and Biogesic for Kids. Fans were treated with gift packs, cash prizes and photo-ops with their idol.

The 27-year-old praised the "Ingat!" campaign for being a very brilliant marketing idea, sharing that people sometimes call him by his famous TV ad catchphrase "Ingat!" instead of his name John Lloyd.

Meanwhile, John Lloyd's much-awaited transformation as a vampire was finally seen last week in "Imortal," where he rose from the dead and vowed to seek revenge against the wolf clan led by Angel Locsin. He promises viewers a gorier and edgier second season.

"There's going to be more violence and a lot of anger and pain from Mateo's character because he'll finally give birth to the character as a vampire."

He likewise announced that after "Imortal", he's set to shoot a movie with the Kanto Boys (Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano), wherein Eraserheads songs will be incorporated in the plot. And, good news to loyalists of the Lloydie-Sarah team-up, his third big screen collaboration with the Popstar Princess has finally been green-lighted!

Previous reports stated that Sarah was hesitant to do a follow-up to their 2009 top-grosser "You Changed My Life." Apparently, Star Cinema and Viva has come to an agreement and the stars will soon reunite for another romantic flick.

"More than our say to the project as actors, I guess it was a management decision. But me personally, I feel we owe it to the public and to all the fans who supported the first two installments. I really believe we have to give it to them."

Known to favor projects with good material, John Lloyd thinks their scriptwriters should come up with another story, and not a continuation of their last film. He feels there's nothing left in the story for them to exhaust.

"Kasi yung 'You Changed My Life', Sarah's character Loida is going to Canada while my character will continue with the business and he's finally excelling in it. So hindi ko makita. Well, I can't wait to read the script, to see if may pupuntahan ba if we want to carry on with the story. Pero pag hindi, baka dapat iba na lang." (FREEMAN)