JC: The 'crown prince' of TV5

Is JC de Vera getting more attention at TV5 (to which he has leaped over from GMA where he caused a major issue between his manager Annabelle Rama and GMA exec Wilma Galvante) than do other actors also recruited by the network?

It seems, considering the big projects he’s getting, including a five-part special aired every Wednesday night which features him in different, challenging characters (as a boxer, a street-fighter, a magician, etc.), similar to the also five-part special he did on GMA.

Does JC feel that he’s TV5’s “apple of the eye”?

“No naman,” said JC who, in one episode of the TV5 specials, gave Danita Paner a kiss so torrid and passionate that it drove Danita’s mom Daisy Romualdez into a near-homicidal rage. “I would say that I’m just being given fair treatment by TV5.”

Because he’s doing varied roles calculated to show his versatility as an actor, JC is being touted as “the next Richard Gomez,” a “title” that embarrasses him.

“Nakakahiya,” he said as he took another serving of the spicy fried rice during lunch with some movie writers at 8 Spices (at the Il Terrazo, the new complex near Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City). “Ang dami ko pang bigas na kakainin, ang dami ko pang dapat matutuhan, bago ko marating ang kinalalagyan ngayon ni Richard.”

During the recent Bench Uncut show at the Big Dome, he was introduced by Bench big boss Ben Chan as “the superstar of TV5,” and JC was now saying, “para akong nauupos na kandila n’un; nakakahiya.”

Is he malakas with anybody, somebody, at TV5?

“Sana but I don’t think so,” said JC. “I think the network realizes the fact that I’m focused on my work, that I am hardworking. Masarap lang ‘yung feeling na napapansin ka.”

He’s making the same big waves on the big screen.

In Hating Kapatid, a joint venture between Viva Films and Star Cinema, JC co-stars with Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo, and he’s predicted to steal the thunder not from the two actresses but from Luis Manzano, his contemporary, who is being said to be “insecure kay JC” because he conveniently forgets to mention JC’s name when he plugs the movie.

“I don’t have any issue with Luis,” explained JC whose picture in the movie’s layout is a bit smaller than that of DJ Durano who is definitely lower in stature than JC but who is closer to the movie’s director, Wenn Deramas.

“Okay lang,” shrugged JC. “What counts is how you play your role.”

For the TV5 specials, JC said he has only two days to prepare and absorb each of his roles.

“I feel more comfortable playing characters from depressed areas,” admitted JC. “Parang mas na-i-enjoy ko sila.”

But one thing JC is not ready yet is to do a kissing scene with another actor.

“Hindi pa kaya ng powers ko,” he joked.

It’s not surprising why JC is a good actor since acting does run in his blood. The late Sampaguita idol Oscar Moreno was the brother of JC’s grandfather and Oscar’s daughter Boots Anson-Roa is the first cousin of JC’s mother, Carmen Anson-de Vera. Bobby Vasquez (Ricardo Sumilang in real life) and Luis Alandy (Bobby’s nephew) are also related to JC.

“In fact, it was Alvin (Anson, Boots’ half-brother) who encouraged me to enter showbiz way back when I was 14,” recalled JC.

With his career on the upswing, JC said he’s putting his love life on hold. So far, he has had enough, having been linked to, among others, Michelle Madrigal, Rhian Ramos, Yasmien Kurdi and Pauleen Luna.

“But never ko silang pinagsabay-sabay, ha,” he said. “I’m a one-woman man.”

One woman at a time?

“Oo naman!”

* * *

While Geneva Cruz may be wary of the media’s attention to her love life, she certainly has no qualms about them paying attention to her work. And why not, the sexy singer has been working her butt off (in more ways than one) to get into shape and stay in shape to tackle her very physical role as Brooke Wyndham in the Atlantis Production’s staging of Legally Blonde.

Also starring Nikki Gil (who is a very convincing young Elle Woods) alongside Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, Cris Villonco, Guji Lorenzana, and a stellar young cast of theatre singers and performers, the show is about how a girl (Gil) overcomes all obstacles on her adventure to finding love. This adventure leads her through California, Harvard Law School, and finally a juicy murder case involving fashion, deception and buns of steel (Geneva’s buns to be exact!).

Geneva had to push and tone her already slender and svelte body to the limit to become a convincing ripped-and-ready aerobics empire queen, not to mention keep her stamina and endurance up for her immensely physical musical number Whipped into Shape, which opens Act Two of the show.

“I already knew going into this that I had to really get back in the gym,” Geneva shares after another successful night as the high-energy aerobics guru. “The part of Brooke is really physically demanding and she has made a living being in perfect shape. Dapat lang in shape din ako di ba?”

Not that weight has ever been an issue with this bubbly and energetic singer. Geneva, who is a strict vegetarian, has always been slim and sexy. This time, however, she wanted to go beyond just being slender and really give her body definition as well as endurance.

That’s where a little help from her fabulous friends came in. In order to reach her goal, Geneva had to adhere to a good high-protein and nutritious diet as well as a rigorous and effective workout program. Professional (not to mention, handsome!) trainer Sam Fogg handled the workout part. He is also a good friend of Geneva’s. The diet and meal plan, on the other hand, was handled by Geneva’s bestie and a theatre veteran herself, Rachel Alejandro and her business The Sexy Chef.

“Geneva told me she really wanted to get cut and into shape,” Rachel shared. “And we both knew it would require a good combination of diet and exercise. Now I know she already had the exercise down so I wanted to give her a good diet plan that would help her highlight her muscles and give her the toning she wanted.”

Indeed, The Sexy Chef diet plans are not only for those who want to shed unwanted pounds (although, of course, they do accomplish that very effectively!), but also for those who are already at their ideal weight and want to add some sculpture and definition to their bodies.

(Note: Catch Legally Blonde while it is still running. Interested parties may contact Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187. For those interested in learning more about The Sexy Chef diet plans, or for orders please contact The Sexy Chef at 721-SEXY [7399] or [0917] 799-2433 [SXYCHEF] or through email at [email protected], or through their website: www.thesexychef.ph)

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