Will JC stick with TV5, manager?

MANILA, Philippines - His three-year contract with TV5 had expired last March 15 and, as of this writing, JC de Vera cannot tell yet if he is going to stick with the Kapatid network or move out.

“It’s still under negotiation if I’ll renew my contract with TV5 or what,” says JC. “Technically, nothing is concrete yet. I’m freelance now but since TV5 has been very kind to me, we accepted right away its offer for Cassandra. So as long as it gives me projects like this, I will stay with them.”

Right now, JC adds, he is not making any move or plan for a possible transfer “because I have so much respect for TV5 and it would certainly not look right if I’ll have a talk with other networks while I’m still working on a project with TV5.”

When asked what if there will be offers from other networks that are too hard to resist, JC doesn’t see TV5 hindering him in his search for other possibilities for growth. “I had already asked them about it before that if ever my contract expires, ‘Can I entertain other offers?’ and they said there won’t be any problem. They will just continue to include me in the line-up of their TV shows and it will end depending on my choice.”

One of the things JC enjoys being with TV5 is the opportunity to explore and go out of his comfort zone which is drama. “I have tried action and comedy without me expecting that I could be comfortable in them. And hosting, too. So, I can say that working with TV5 is very fulfilling. I’m still blessed even if there were crucial moments in my career. I’m still blessed with shows in a very generous network. I get to experience something new and different.”

Still, JC can’t arrive at a certain decision yet. “I still want to grow, to learn many things. Kung (babalik) ba ko sa GMA o magtra-try ako sa ABS-CBN? Well, as long as I see the opportunity to learn like what TV5 gave to me, then I’ll grab that opportunity.”

But this is not to say that he is not happy at the rate his career is going these days. He now just looks at it in a different perspective. “When you say career, of course, you are looking forward to fame but in my case I’m contented with what is given to me as an actor. But when it comes to career per se, medyo yan ang question mark kasi medyo kritikal ngayon since my contract had already ended, I don’t know which way to go and by last week of May, my contract with Tita Annabelle (Rama, his manager) will expire. So eto yung pinag-iisipan ko ngayon, medyo nahihirapan ako mag-desisyon because there are many things to consider before making a final decision.  

“Well, I’m hoping there will be a big change in my life once I made a decision. Actually, it would not only be for my career alone when I make one (decision) by the end of May, ‘yun na yung magiging takbo ng buong buhay ko like having a family, a baby and a business. But I’m not saying that I will leave Tita Annabelle, hindi ganun. I think, I served her well for 10 years but I’m not saying that I will no longer renew ties with her. I’m still in that stage of thinking things over. Kumbaga makapag-set ako ng maayos na transfer in the future. So right now I can’t really tell yet. Like I said, right now, no major decision yet. But I’m hoping the talk between TV5 and Tita Annabelle will turn out okay. I’m hoping and praying that I’ll stay with them. But whatever (the result), I hope it will lead to a more positive (outcome).”

At the moment, JC is happy with the character he is about to portray in Cassandra: Warrior Angel, to air weeknights at 7 beginning May 6. Televiewers will see him as Cassandra’s (Eula Caballero) trainer.

JC says that he got to prepare physically for two months by working out in the gym prior to the start of taping. “From 155, I’ve lost 10 pounds, which is good for me to fit the part.”

(Cassandra: Warrior Angel is directed by Argel Joseph, Benedict Mique and Eric Quizon.)