JC Santos returns to theater roots

What is it like switching from doing a gay role to playing a priest? Well, it’s probably not that hard if you are an actor as talented as JC Santos.

Fresh from wrapping up his portrayal as Ali in the top-rating Jadine series “Till I Met You,” he returns to his first love – theater—playing the role of a priest who defends a women’s tribe in “Buwan at Bala sa Eb Major” written by Chris Millado.

JC said he had to make some adjustments with his acting after being part of a teleserye for six months. “It is difficult making a transition from TV to film to theater, from acting with your body to acting with your eyes and then going back to performing again with your body, then playing it emotional and truthful. It is a difficult process and I am still trying to find my way. Siguro sa opening ng play makakabawi na ako,” said the actor during the play’s press conference held early this week.

JC said he became so popular when he did “Till I Met You,” but with it came a few drawbacks such as not having the time to take a vacation.

Without a second thought, he welcomed the idea of returning to his theater roots. “Doing TV shows and films is work and I love the popularity it brought me. Now the people see more of the work that I do and I am happy that I am able to reach out, using the fame that I have. I can now reach out to the kids to educate and inform,” said JC.

He said playing a man of the cloth is very challenging since it is a very different character. “Ibang klaseng truthfulness ang kailangan kong ibigay. Hanggang ngayon, hinahanap ko pa rin siya kasi mas complicated siya as a character. Mas mahirap ito,” JC admitted.

He added that the audience will experience a rollercoaster ride watching “Baril at Bala sa Eb Major” as it will educate them about a part of our history.  He said that is part of his job as an actor.

“Buwan at Bala in Eb Major” will be staged on January 26, 27, 28 and 29, February 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Bantayog ng Bayani Center. Also in the cast are Jackie Lou Blanco, Angeli Bayani, Crispin Pineda, Joel Saracho, Danny Mandia and Ross Pesigan. For ticket inquiries, please call 09178456200.

He is also in the cast of the forthcoming movie “Sakaling Hindi Makarating” which will open in cinemas on February 1. Said film was an entry to the Cine Filipino Film Festival last year.

He said being a part of “Till I Met You” not only made him famous, but it also opened the door, a big door, to theater actors who are now being cast in projects made by TV networks.

“I am very happy that the networks are recognizing the talent of theater actors,” he added.

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Pedro ‘N Coi is celebrating its second year this coming February. The brand that took Filipino food to another level will have six stores by the end of the first quarter.

This growth is not a mystery. The husband and wife tandem of Lloyd Lee and Miss Universe 2011 third runner-up Shamcey Supsup-Lee proved to be seamless even as business partners. They are very hands-on when it comes to their first baby – Pedro ‘N Coi.

As the business progressed, so did their relationship and direction to complete a family. After creating a sub-brand last 2016 (Tambayan ni Pedro) and opening two outlets, another baby was born – Nyke.

Pedro ‘N Coi is at last complete! It’s about time to let the world know that “N” is Nyke, thus the term “PNC” – for Pedro (Lloyd), Nyke and Coi (Chamsey) – which will now be used as the official acronym for all the stores with the goal of having stronger brand recall while still maintaining the original Pinoy Pop Chibog experience of Pedro ‘N Coi.

To let everyone know about these details, Lloyd and Shamcey selected a very important occasion to finally have the grand launch of PNC and Tambayan ni Pedro – Nyke’s first birthday.

Lloyd and Shamcey set up Pinoy-inspired design, games, and activities to compliment the grand launch of Pedro ‘N Coi and to introduce Nyke as a very important part of how Pedro ‘N Coi became PNC, thus completing the brand and ensuring that the bond within their family remains as strong and defined as that of their Pinoy Pop Chibog concept.

This year, the family is planning to open 12 new branches, ending the year with 20 outlets for a period of less than three years in the food business.