Zanjoe Marudo now ready to become a father

MANILA, Philippines - Zanjoe Marudo, who’s currently in a relationship with actress Bea Alonzo, admits he is now ready to have a child and become a father.

“Ready na, ready na ako. Any time,” the Kapamilya actor told members of the press during a promo pictorial for the cast of “Annaliza” on Thursday, August 15.

But while 31-year-old actor is prepared to embrace parenthood, Zanjoe said Bea — his girlfriend for over a year — isn’t ready yet.

“Hindi pa siya ready,” Zanjoe said. “Marami pa siyang gagawin.” But the actor added he’s not getting impatient since he gets to spend most of his time with children anyway.

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“May mga pamangkin naman ako. Saka mga kasama ko naman sa trabaho mga bata, so para na rin akong tatay talaga,” he explained.

Zanjoe said he’s quite fond of children — especially with his child co-stars in the soap opera “Annaliza,” which airs daily after “TV Patrol.” His rapport with the titular character, played by child actress Andrea Brillantes, makes his performance more natural and believable to the audience.  

Unexpected roles

This year has been an unusual one for Zanjoe, at least in terms of the roles he gets to portray. In “Annaliza,” he plays the foster father of Andrea. And in the Star Cinema comedy “Bromance,” Zanjoe played a dual character — that of twins, one gay and one straight. Father and gay characters were roles actors used to avoid as they believe it could damage their image.

But Zanjoe believes the offbeat characters he played recently have opened a lot of doors for him.

“Itong mga role na hindi ko naman pinangarap pa pero ginawa ko, yun yung mga nag-work para sa akin,” he said. “Doon nakita ng tao na totoo yung character na ginagampanan ko.”

Zanjoe added, “Nag-bading nga ako, tapos nag-tatay role ako, pero hindi naman siya nakasira o nakagulo sa plano ko sa takbo ng role ko.”

His idols

He further explained, “Mas makatulong pa siya, mas nag-open pa siya ng maraming opportunities.”

The former “Pinoy Big Brother” contestant is slated to do two comedy films this year — one for Star Cinema and another for the Cinema One Originals film festival later this year.

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Although he’s now open to do any kind of role, Zanjoe relishes in doing comedy. In fact, his showbiz idols are comedy icons Dolphy and Vic Sotto. He even dreams of portraying “Lastikman” — a role Sotto has played before for a movie — someday.

“Ang comedy naman sa akin, nakadikit na talaga,” Zanjoe said, adding he started out as an actor via the ABS-CBN sitcom “Aalog-alog” and the hit comedy film “Kimmy Dora.”

He added, “Kailangan talaga natin hanapin kung saan tayo mag-wo-work, eh. Kung yun ang gusto ng management, yun ang gagawin ko. Pero kung gusto nila akong mag-drama o magpa-sexy, okay din.”