At 16, an age when producers cast actors in light, teenybopper roles for want of more meaty assignments to give them, John Wayne has yet to play the oh-so-common boy-next door. They know those intense eyes are meant for just-as-intense acting. They will be wasted in flighty, forgettable movies that cast John Wayne as one of those happy-go-lucky teens always out for a good time.
After all, this third year high school student at ABS-CBN’s Distance Learning Center scored a Best Child Performer grand slam as Vilma Santos’ youngest son in Dekada ‘70.
This is also why director Joey Javier Reyes cast the former child actor in the controversial Metro Filmfest psychological thriller Kutob. John Wayne’s scene with Liza Lorena capitalized the child in him.
But Star Cinema saw the budding adult in John Wayne and cast him as Judy Ann Santos’ younger brother in the currently-showing Don’t Give Up On Us.
John Wayne’s character is just like him in real life. The John Wayne moviegoers see in Don’t Give Up On Us thinks in the same grown-up way the real-life John Wayne does.
This sets him apart from the typical teenagers we see on screen, big or small.
Oh yes, some things can’t be avoided for sure. One of them is the loveteam trap. For John Wayne, this means being teased with Maja Salvador.
But despite that, movie insiders haven’t forgotten that John Wayne’s acting stood out in a serious period movie that gathered performers more senior than he is.
Maybe it’s because John Wayne started young in the business. He was nine when he auditioned at ABS-CBN and surprised even himself when he got accepted.
Perhaps it’s because the 5’7" tall (and still growing) John Wayne grew up with his grandparents and imbibed their more mature view of things.
Whatever it is, the guy doesn’t talk of parties, gimmicks and dating as often as his peers do. He talks of his career and family with such a passion you know these are the things that give his life more meaning.
No way, John Wayne says, will acting be a mere passing fancy for him. It’s a long-term career, the one that defines him now and will continue to do so many years from now.
He doesn’t intend to be just another Robin Padilla, the actor others constantly compare John Wayne to.
He has nothing against the former Bad Boy of Philippine Cinema. In fact, John Wayne admires Robin’s way of delivering the punches and knocking out the bad guy. But he insists he never intended to copy Robin. After all, John Wayne rarely sees the guy.
John Wayne has the same outlook when it comes to his other idols. He adores Brad Pitt and Tom Hanks, but he has no plans of copying their acting nuances.
"I’d like to develop my own style and be known for it," John Wayne explains.
His opinions are just as strong when it comes to family matters.
"I’m usually a very patient guy. Wrong me once and I’ll just warn you. Wrong me twice and I’ll still let it go," he reveals.
But the minute you rub his family the wrong way, that Job-like patience will disappear like the rabbit lost in the magician’s top hat. John Wayne’s protective instinct takes over.
"The minute you hurt the people I love, that’s it. I blow my top," he admits.
Luckily, that situation has yet to come his way and John Wayne has no reason to lose his cool.
He continues playing the role of the good grandson to his Mama Dong, whose dialysis bills he still shoulders. John Wayne even accompanies Mama Dong to the hospital, even if his concerned grandma protests. She worries that John Wayne may not be able to bear seeing her in such pain.
"This is a tough and rough journey I’m going through at such an early age," John Wayne relates. "But I don’t want to complain. I feel happy being able to help people I love."
For John Wayne, no burden is too heavy, as long as it’s for the family. Hopefully, his peers can learn a lesson or two from that.