Rookie

MANILA, Philippines - We at Supreme are kicking off 2014 with some of the freshest and the brightest, and for that we look no further than Ruru Madrid. The Kapuso star was well-loved in the show Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break as a mentee of Philip Salvador. Since then, he has become GMA-7’s talent to watch for, with plum roles in two teleseryes — the Jun Robles Lana-created Dormitoryo, and the Laurice Guillen-directed series Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas (both have recently concluded) — and a shining spot in the network’s variety show, Sunday All-Stars. This 2014, Madrid is set to make his mark on the silver screen with the lead role in Pepe Diokno’s Above the Clouds, which is now in post-production.

At 16 years old, Madrid is already surrounding himself with legendary talent and learning what it takes to perfect a craft. As Madrid sits down with Supreme this week, he talks about the triumphs and challenges of being a young actor in such a cutthroat environment, and what it takes to accomplish one’s dreams, regardless of one’s age.

That name. How did you get it?

My mom is from Zamboanga, and the old datus of Zamboanga would name their children like this. After me, my parents continued with my siblings — I’m Ruru, and my siblings are Rara and Rere. (Laughs)

As a fresh face in the Kapuso roster and on our TV screens, what sets you apart from your contemporaries/other young actors?

Honestly, there are many good actors on GMA-7 and I think we’re all different in the way we attack the roles that are given to us, and in how we give justice to the characters we portray. People say I can cry quickly. I think this is an advantage, especially when we’re doing drama scenes.

 What makes you cry?

I study my roles, and I put myself in the shoes of my characters. I read scripts over and over again, and I research. In Above the Clouds, for example, I play a boy named Andy who gets orphaned by a typhoon. I asked friends who have lost their parents, what it feels like. I also used an exercise I picked up in my workshops with direk Maryo J. De Los Reyes, about imagining losing a person I loved the most.

What do you enjoy most about acting?

Portraying different roles. Nakakatuwa na iba’t-ibang persona ang nasusubukan ko because of acting.

What sort of challenges do you face that you think are different from people your age, as someone who is still growing up in a very public way?

I think one big challenge is that we’re a public property. Whatever wrong moves of actions that we do are easily magnified, moreso with social media. That’s why I always remember the line, “Think before you click.”

In this industry of squeaky-clean stars and pa-tweetums roles, do you feel the pressure to conform?

Sometimes I do. In showbiz, you have to be nice to your fans; you have to make an effort to give them attention because even the smallest slips — like if you don’t mind them — can cause trouble. Pero lumalabas naman palagi yung natural. My handlers say that after tapings, I look like I’m running for office because I greet all the staff, the crew. OA daw. But that’s how I am, and that’s what I have to do. Before I entered showbiz, I was the shy type. I had to learn to be more outgoing because that’s what this business calls for.

Do you find that you still have time to have fun with your friends and date and just be normal?

Yes. But not as often as before, when almost every day, I’d play basketball with my friends in the backyard. I’d watch new movies with classmates and friends. These are some of the things that I miss.

What kind of girl usually catches your eye?

I’m attracted to simple girls; someone who can play the guitar and can sing as well. Someone who is decent and whom I can be proud of.

 Is there anyone whose career you find inspiration from?

Justin Bieber, because at his age he has accomplished so much. I’m not saying that I think I’ll be as famous as him, but he inspires me — that someone as young as me can be an inspiration to people; that if you continue pursuing your dreams, they will come true with hard work and perseverance.

If you weren’t an actor, what do you think you would end up doing instead?

I’d be a basketball player. It is one of my biggest dreams.

What else can we look forward to in the coming months?

I have several films lined up this year, and after finishing the series Dormitoryo and Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas, I hope to do more programs with GMA. I have projects lined up, but they asked me to keep it a surprise. Let’s wait and see.

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Tweet the author @gabbietatad.

Photos by EDRIC CHEN

Produced by DAVID MILAN

Grooming by JOYCE PLATON of Shu Uemura

Shoot assisted by DAMIEN ALDEGUER and

LEI ANGELIQUE CRUZ