‘Child Wonder’ Niño Muhlach’s son shines, too

Alonzo Muchlach is too cute for words. He is a carbon copy of his dad, Niño Muhlach, during his “Child Wonder” days.

No child star could come close to Niño’s achievements when he was at the peak of his career as a kid. Niño’s heir apparent, Alonzo could be Show Town’s next “Little Big Thing.”

Here’s my one-on-one with Niño:

How is Alonzo similar and different from you?

Alonzo and I are alike in so many ways. Some kids are precocious in front of their parents, but shy in front of other people. Well, it’s the other way around for us. The more people watching us, the better.

Recently, we went on a Mediterranean cruise. Alonzo went up on stage and danced à la Michael Jackson, while the rest of the ship’s 2,300 passengers cheered him on.

Unlike me, he still has a little difficulty speaking in Filipino. We didn’t think he’d join show biz, so we started talking to him in Filipino fairly recently.

Would you consider yourself a stage father?

It’s hard not to be one. If looking out for your son’s welfare means you’re a stage father, so be it.

When he reaches the awkward stage, what would you advise him?

At the peak of my career as a child star, my dad told me that one day, all the fame and fortune would disappear. So when that time comes, you better be prepared. What goes up must come down. I will make sure that he is ready, the way my dad prepared me.

How will you manage his earnings?

I will open a trust fund for him, just like my dad did. He can only avail of it when he graduates from college or when he turns  21.

What’s your advice to parents who want their kids to join show biz (to escape poverty)?

I have encountered many child actors who are literally being pinched by their parents to make them cry. Yes, stardom can be the fastest way to make money, but make sure that your kid enjoys performing. Don’t force them if they’re not interested.

Rock and Rocco

We, at the Cinema Evaluation Board, gave “Hustisya” a grade of B.

Lead star Nora Aunor outdoes herself as a strong-willed woman who fights for her soul in the belly of the city.

Rosanna Roces’ brilliant portrayal of a ruthless crime boss proves that she’s still very much in the game.

Ate Guy and Osang are like yin and yang onscreen. They make quite a formidable tandem in the survival of the shrewdest.

I was also impressed with Rocco Nacino, who portrays a crooked lawyer. The pretty boy has evolved into a pretty good actor.

Here’s my tete-à-tete with Rocco:

What did you learn from working with Ate Guy?

I learned not to be scared of difficult scenes…To acknowledge that you’re nervous when you’re working with a veteran, but to get rid of the jitters when it’s time to shoot the scene. Despite her superstar status, she remains humble. That’s something all celebs should follow.

In the film, your character made an analogy about a frog and a mosquito. In order to survive, the frog has to blend with its surroundings so it can eat the mosquito.  Are you more of a frog or a mosquito?

I’d rather be a mosquito and be more aggressive in life.

Is Lovi Poe wife material?

I haven’t thought about it yet. But she is definitely girlfriend material. She’s very caring and thoughtful. I can’t ask for more. It’s unavoidable that we sometimes talk about marriage, but we are taking things slowly because we both have many other priorities. But when it’s time, it will happen.

Loving and  laughing

Catch Jeremiah with Jose and Wally in “Love and Laughter,” tomorrow night, at 9, at Zirkoh along Tomas Morato. (For tickets, call 0926-6136540.)