Sef finally gets his own show

MANILA, Philippines - Set to air tomorrow, Aug. 23, at 4:45 p.m. is a GMA News and Public Affairs-produced comedy offering titled Juan Tamad topbilled by Sef Cadayona in his first-ever title role.

Sef feels flattered that he’s entrusted with a role most Pinoys are familiar with — the Philippine folklore character Juan Tamad. This is his biggest break yet that’s why he’s on Cloud 9 these days.

“Ang bilis po ng mga pangyayari but it’s very flattering and I’m fortunate enough to be given this role,” says the 26-year-old Kapuso star. 

Sef, who bagged the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Gag/Comedy Program award in the Golden Screen Television Awards for two consecutive years and Best Comedy Actor at the 28th Star Awards for TV last year, wouldn’t let himself become complacent.

“No, and I don’t want to think about it. I agree with what sir FLG (Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network big boss) said in his speech at an event that I attended years ago, something like, ‘It doesn’t mean that once you’re given recognition you will just stick to it or dwell on it. Instead, you have to think how to surpass it and continue to work on your dreams. Be grateful and continue doing what you love.’ Those words have made an impact on me, especially that it happened after my StarStruck days.”

Sef, meanwhile, feels lucky that he had the opportunity of working with Vic Sotto (in Vampire ang Daddy Ko) and Michael V. (Bubble Gang), both of whom Sef considers as the pillars in the comedy field. He gets inputs from their enormous knowledge and talent in doing funny and unique antics. Sef will take a temporary leave of absence from Vampire to focus on his new show.

“I’m integrating on this show the things I’ve learned from them. I was able to observe them kung paano sila nagpapatawa. That’s why it made me even more ready for my character Juan Tamad kasi naaral ko na po siya and I’m excited for the viewers to finally watch this show,” he shares.

Juan Tamad, according to its press release, is a funny series that takes a modern and fresh perspective in re-introducing the lazy boy Juan Tamad who is still waiting under the guava tree for its fruit to fall. He has a love interest named Marie Guiguinto a.k.a. Mariang Masipag — Juan’s exact opposite — played by Sef’s fellow Bubble Gang mainstay Max Collins. More than the laugh trip it offers, Juan Tamad aims to impart an important message to the viewers especially the younger generation.

Despite Juan’s laziness, Sef says that his character has a big heart and gives importance to family values and being positive in life. He’s guided by the motto “Patience is a virtue,” explains Sef, “and that (he believes that) there are always brighter things ahead.”

What is it about Sef’s style of comedy that earned him the Juan Tamad title role?

He reckons, “I think every comedian has a unique, specific style at minsan lang may nagkakaparehas but for sure may mga pagkakaiba-iba talaga.

“My style is I’m always reinventing everything, which I’ve learned ever since I started doing comedy,” says Sef of his signature tricks, including his ability to make different facial expressions. “It somehow helped me to be innovative and create unique antics para fresh naman kahit ang ginagawa ko lang is combine all of these ideas.”

Does Sef think that the departure of comedians Ogie Alcasid and Janno Gibbs from GMA 7 made it possible for him to be now seen as, according to the GMA management, the next big thing in comedy? Sef clarifies, “Hindi po ganun. I can never replace or even gayahin ko kung paano nila inatake yung comedy. Ever since naman po I’ve always been eager about any role given to me and it just happens that I’ve been given this opportunity.”

(Juan Tamad, directed by Soxie Topacio and written by Rody Vera and Liza Magtoto, also stars Roi Vinzon, Marissa Sanchez, Melanie Marquez and Gene Padilla.)