Still no John Lloyd in ‘Home Sweetie Home’ relaunch

Cast of “Home Sweetie Home”

Two years after John Lloyd Cruz abruptly left show business for a sabbatical, the entire production team of the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home,” especially his costar Toni Gonzaga, is still awaiting his return.

“My character, Julie, his wife, is still waiting for him. I’m not sure what management would do in case Lloydie (John Lloyd’s nickname) decides to come back. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. With him, we just take it one day at a time,” Toni told reporters during the sitcom’s recent relaunch.

With the inclusion of four more comedians, the sitcom is now titled “Home Sweetie Home Extra Sweet.”

The show’s director, Bobot Mortiz, agreed with Toni. He said: “It would be nice if Lloydie would return to the show, even just as a guest celebrity. Anyway, his and Toni’s story is still unfinished.”

The rumor that John Lloyd would be returning to the biz began circulating after he signed up to do a publicity campaign for a shawarma company.
John Lloyd has remained elusive, shunning interviews with the media, as well as attending social gatherings, except perhaps the recent dinner for show biz celebrities held in Malacañang and hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte’s partner, Honeylet Avanceña.

Toni, who attended the party with sister Alex and husband Paul Soriano, said she was surprised to have shared a table with John Lloyd. She, however, said they did not talk about work.

“It didn’t feel appropriate because it was such a formal meeting,” she pointed out. “We were just there. Normal lang. We waited for what the president would say to all of us.”

From left: Bayani Agbayani, Toni Gonzaga, Vhong Navarro and Alex Gonzaga

She added: “Since it was so private, we all got surprised to discover who else got invited. I don’t actually know why I was on the list because I wasn’t active during the presidential campaign.”

Aside from Toni, “Home Sweetie Home Extra Sweet” now features Alex, Bayani Agbayani, Luis Manzano and Vhong Navarro.

“Before I learned of the program’s relaunch, I was already prepared to hear management to tell me that it will finally come to an end,” said Toni, who has been part of the sitcom for four years now. “I was prepared to let go of something that has been my life for years. That’s why I was grateful for another chance to continue working on the show.”

The actress also said there was “a big part of me that was sad. I consoled myself by saying ‘that’s life. This show isn’t for you, but for the audience. You’re merely an employee who is given a task, and that is to act.’”

John Lloyd Cruz (left) and Toni Gonzaga

Toni bade goodbye to the original cast, as well as to JP, the character of Piolo Pascual who was added after John Lloyd left the show.

Piolo had to leave to study film production abroad.

“With a heavy heart, I closed that chapter; but with a hopeful heart, I’m looking forward to spending time with this new family that I now belong to. I’m always excited to go to work to see them,” she declared.

“Home Sweetie Home” airs on ABS-CBN every Saturday after “TV Patrol Weekend.”