JOHN Lloyd Cruz is thankful for costar Toni Gonzaga’s trust in him.
Award-winning drama actor John Lloyd Cruz didn’t find it hard to shift to comedy for his latest sitcom “Home Sweetie Home.”
Cruz said his first venture into comedy “didn’t require too much adjustment” since he was paired with Toni Gonzaga, whom he had already worked with in the past. Cruz and Gonzaga first worked together in the 2010 film “My Amnesia Girl.”
“I don’t think it would be this easy if I’m paired with someone else. I learned a lot from her, as well as from Direk Bobot (Edgar Mortiz),” he said during a recent press conference for the sitcom. “Tita Linggit [Tan], (TV production training and content development head) told me to just be myself.”
No pointers needed
The actor also said he did not ask for pointers on how to do comedy from girlfriend Angelica Panganiban—a fellow ABS-CBN artist and a mainstay of the gag show “Banana Split.”
Cruz said Panganiban had no qualms about his playing Toni Gonzaga’s husband in the series that premiered on Jan. 5.
“I’m thankful that I have a very understanding girlfriend. We are able to separate personal problems from work-related issues,” he said.
“Angel (Panganiban’s nickname) and I don’t discuss work when we’re together. Besides, Angel has no reason to feel jealous or insecure,” he added.
“Home Sweetie Home” is about the struggles of young married couple Romeo and Julie, who live in one house with the latter’s family. Each day, Romeo has to deal with a disapproving mother-in-law, as well as Julie’s snotty teenage sister and importunate little brother.
Cruz said: “This project is challenging in the sense that I play Toni’s husband. I’m thankful for Toni’s trust in me. If not for it, and our commitment to our craft, I don’t think we would be effective in portraying our respective characters. The fact that I have her full trust helps a lot when we work on our scenes as a couple.”
Asked whether or not he thought the role was in preparation for his possible marriage to Panganiban, Cruz said: “Wala pa sa isip ko ang pag-aasawa.
Angel and I still have a lot to accomplish as actors.”
He declined to describe what to him was the ideal wife. “You’ll just know it when she’s finally there. You will eventually forget the standards you’ve set for yourself because you’ll know in your heart that she’s the one for you.”
“Home Sweetie Home,” which airs Sunday night, also features Sandy Andolong, Rico J. Puno, Miles Ocampo, Clarence Delgado, Jason Gainza and Mitoy Yonting.
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)