MHL a big boost to Rodjun Cruz’s career

Although he has done several TV shows (Juanita Banana on ABS-CBN and TV5’s Bangis, among them) and a few movies, Rodjun Cruz didn’t quite register in the public memory until he was cast in the landmark GMA series My Husband’s Lover (MHL) as the guy picked up at a bar by Dennis Trillo’s character.

“When the role was offered to me,” Rodjun told Funfare, “my manager (Leo Dominguez) assured me that it was challenging, kasi nga story of love ng mga gays, very different from how gays had been portrayed in previous local TV shows. The characters are not effeminate, hindi mga mukhang bading, at machong-macho pa nga. I thought it would be just a guesting but the (GMA) guys decided to extend my part dahil after my first appearance maraming nag-tweet, nag-trending, very positive ang reaction. Maraming taong nagmahal sa akin kaya nakakataba ng puso.”

Rodjun said that he carefully played the role to correct the impression that most guys go into a relationship with gays for the money.

“My character showed that straight guys could truly fall in love with gays,” explained Rodjun who, in one scene, was shown willingly going home with Dennis’ character who picked him up at a bar. “It never happened to me in real life,” smiled Rodjun. “I don’t usually go to the bar alone. If ever I did, it was always with my family or with friends.”

Rodjun comes from the Cruz Clan. His mother, Melody Cruz, is the sister of the late Ricky Belmonte (Jesus Cruz, father of Sheryl Cruz), the late Danny Cruz (father of Sunshine Cruz) and Jeffrey Cruz, all of whom were members of the band 747 that played nightly at the now-closed Philippine Village Hotel in the ‘70s. Rayver is Rodjun’s younger brother.

Asked if he has ever received any “indecent proposal” as his MHL character did, Rodjun blushed, “Pabiro-biro siguro but nothing serious. So far, nobody has approached me that way, mapa-babae man o mapa-gay.”

And which role (that of Dennis or of Tom Rodriguez as Dennis’ lover) he would take given a choice, Rodjun said, “Either of the two. Both were challenging so you have to play them well to give them justice. For MHL, I barely had time to prepare kasi isinalang kaagad ako. Direk Dominic (Zapata) was a big help in guiding me. Malaking tulong din sina Dennis at Tom. Serious sila sa pagganap. Before a take, Dennis was himself but once the cameras started rolling, in-character na talaga siya. He helped make me relax during our (tender) kissing scene.”

Like Rayver (at 24, Rodjun’s junior by two years), Rodjun started early, at 11, in showbiz (it’s in the Cruzes’ genes and blood, you know). His work was off and on because he had to finish his studies (B.S. Management by home study, St. Francis College). Rodjun is Libra (born on Oct. 10).

“It was Tito Jessie (Ricky Belmonte) who thought of my name, Rodolfo Othello Cruz Ilustre Jr. in full, and that of Rayver which is Raymond Oliver Cruz Illustre. My nickname is really RJ but Tito Jessie said that there are so many RJ’s in showbiz already.”

Was there ever any sibling rivalry or professional jealousy between him and Rayver?

“People always ask us that but no,” Rodjun clarified, “wala kaming ganoon. We support each other. Ang nakakatuwa nga, sinasabi kong idol ko si Rayver at siya naman, sinasabi niyang idol niya ako. When I joined the You Can Dance competition (on ABS-CBN in which he emerged champion), Rayver was there to cheer for me.”

Do they confide to each other about their personal lives?

“Hmmm,” Rodjun was reluctant. “Secret!” Rayver went steady with Cristine Reyes while Rodjun and Dianne Medina (A Miriam CommArts graduate from Cebu, actress and news anchor of a government channel), his girlfriend of more than three years, are going strong.

For a while, Rodjun was a member of the dance trio Sakto (with Edgar Allan Guzman and Lucky Mercado), formed by Sony Music, until they decided to go solo. As of now, although not yet tied down to a contract, he’s doing two shows at the Kapuso Network — the Sunday show Sunday All Stars and Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas as the clever investigator.

Given a choice, what would he rather be, a bida or a kontrabida?

“Whatever, as long as it’s a good role,” said Rodjun who, at 5’11, is two inches shorter than Rayver. “Hindi na ako namimili. As they say, there’s no small role or a big role, no small actor or a big actor. What counts is how you play it.”

Showbiz hopeful

from Germany

Nap Gutierrez has found a potential showbiz star.

Said Nap, “It is common knowledge that most Pinays would grab every opportunity to work abroad, and try out in modeling stints. But here’s someone who’s making good in Germany but is willing to try her luck here in the Philippines.”

She’s none other than Anja Peter, 25 (born on Sept. 15, 1988 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), the only daughter of Siegfried (a businessman from Germany) and Florita Peter (from Tacloban). “I wanna try modeling and newscasting,” says Anja.

Raised in Germany, Anja is a BS Communication graduate and had her Masters in Media Management from Germany. She became tennis master in 2000 and ranked 700 in the world. She is exposed also to sports radio newscasting in Germany. Currently, Anja is working for a German radio station and is modeling for Adidas, Online catalogue/magazine Tennis Point, German non-alcoholic sport drink etc.

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