Cedrick Juan is getting the hang of the limelight

We all need that calm Cedrick Juan energy! That has been the running topic in rooms where Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 Best Actor winner walks in. His energy is just so serene that the busiest person in the room would just stop to take a zen moment with him.

That is also the deal when we had a chat with Cedrick this week when he visited the TV5 Reliance studios to talk about his latest Cinemalaya entry, “Gulay Lang, Manong.” We joked that he used to always look so pensive when he’s about to be interviewed, but now, his aura and demeanor show that he is slowly becoming more open in recorded conversations.

“Konti konti kasi sabi ko ibang set ng skills, parang sa pag-arte ang pagharap pala sa inyo. So, inaral ko rin. I always remind myself to exhale to breathe and be in the moment,” he said.

Since playing Padre Jose Burgos in one of last season’s most awarded films, “Gomburza,” Cedrick’s life has never been the same. Last May, after being sought after by the country’s biggest talent agencies and networks, Cedrick decided to go with the newly established MediaQuest Artists Agency, which is under the MVP Group and affiliated with the Kapatid network. He shared with us that the reason behind his decision was the deep bond they formed during the press tour for “Gomburza.”

“I value relationships, and it’s important to me as an artist that I am also heard, and I know sa Mediaquest napapakinggan talaga ako,” he shared.

Right now, Cedrick’s calendar is packed as he is promoting his Cinemalaya entry, “Gulay Lang, Manong.” He stars alongside Perry Dizon, BJ Forbes, Ranzel Magpantay, Brian Sy, Lui Manansala and Dong Abay.

The film is written and directed by BC Amparado. Shot in Nueva Vizcaya, it is about a struggling farmer named Pilo Sabado who finds himself entangled in a complex web of circumstances when his grandson Ricky gets caught up in the cannabis trade with his friend Razer.

As tensions rise in the region’s drug war, Ricky is apprehended by determined policeman SPO3 Ariel Lacson (Juan), who strikes a deal with Pilo — help catch Razer, and Ricky goes free.

As the unlikely duo navigates the murky waters of alliances and revelations within the cartel, Pilo and Ariel uncover a startling truth: the cannabis trade is linked to a powerful senator. It isn’t just recreational, but a crucial lifeline for the medical relief of the senator’s epileptic daughter. This discovery shakes Pilo and Ariel to their core, challenging their moral compasses.

Amidst betrayals and unexpected alliances, they face a pivotal choice: succumb to temptation and secure their future, or uphold their principles, risking everything in a battle that tests their souls.

Interesting indeed, Cedrick’s film, “Gulay Lang, Manong” has an advocacy. The actor said, “We talk about the struggles of the farmers here because we saw so many vegetable graveyards na from time to time dinu-dump nila dahil hindi nabibili sa tamang presyo. Isa iyon sa pinaglalaban din talaga ng pelikula na ito. We also talk about (how to shed light on) access to alternative medicines.”

Cedrick is deliberate in using his platform for the audience to use critical thinking and have more informed decisions and conclusions when it comes to certain issues in the society.

“I really use my platform so that people can be constructive. Hindi naman natin siya naiintindihan, pero pwede naman natin siyang pag-usapan at i-try natin na pakinggan lagi iyong other side,” the actor said.

Another notable project that is set in stone for Cedrick is his first-ever teleserye on primetime, “Ang Himala ni Niño.” It is the prequel to the pandemic hit “Niña Niño” on TV5. The show has already started production but Cedrick is yet to join next month after his prior commitments.

Besides that, we heard from the grapevine about big-level inquiries for the actor to be joining other A-list celebrities in high-profile shows and films. They are already asking for Cedrick’s availability to film, and we are hoping that it pans out since fans on social media have been seeding his name to production outfits for it to possibly happen.