Zanjoe on 15-year show biz career: I simply enjoyed the ride
Zanjoe Marudo
I needed to understand why this happens in some relationships,” said Zanjoe Marudo, who admitted that, in order to properly immerse himself in his role as a cheating husband in the upcoming Kapamilya drama series “The Broken Marriage Vows,” he had to interview friends and acquaintances who have had similar experiences.
“It’s my first time to be doing this kind of character—a married guy who purposely started an affair with another woman. Since it’s an adaptation, I’m lucky because I already have someone to base my character on. But the real challenge here is how to make the character very Pinoy. David Ilustre can’t just be the same as the character in the original version because he is a Filipino and we’re different from the Koreans in terms of attitude and culture,” Zanjoe explained to reporters during a recent virtual gathering titled, “Hanep! Kinse na Pala!” to mark his 15th anniversary in show business.
“I was nervous about taking on this project so I really prepared. I watched shows and movies with similar topics, read a lot of stories of the same theme, and interviewed people who I know have gone through a similar situation in their marriage,” the 39-year-old actor pointed out. “This role may be difficult because I’ve never been married before, but I didn’t lose hope because, in the past, I’ve had to play father roles even though I still don’t have a child yet. I’m positive that I will be able to play David right.”
“The Broken Marriage Vow,” which will be released soon on various ABS-CBN platforms,” is based on the British drama series “Doctor Foster.”
While Zanjoe said he is already considering settling down, his last relationship (with Filipino-Australian model Josie Prendergast) reportedly ended in November 2020.
“I guess I can say that’s the only thing I’m searching for in my life right now. I’m ready to jump into the next phase, which is to raise a family of my own. We’re not getting any younger anymore. I feel that I’ve already done the stuff I need to do as a single person so I’m now praying for this next stage to happen soon,” Zanjoe confessed.
Wife-to-be
However, the wife-to-be has to have these specific qualities. “I only wish for simple things. I want someone who will be by my side, who will serve as my ally, as we go through whatever struggles we might face when it comes to raising a family. It’s also important to me to have someone whom I will be able to really talk with, who will also be able to engage me mentally and emotionally,” he said.
Zanjoe joined show biz via the reality talent search “Pinoy Big Brother,” where he was declared 4th Big Placer in the 2006 celebrity edition.
Asked for his advice to contestants of the latest PBB editionwere, who auditioned online because of the pandemic, he said: “I really don’t feel like I’m the right person to give all of them advice. When I joined the show, I really didn’t have any plan or strategy. I simply went with the flow and reacted to the tasks we were given. I tried as much to maintain a good relationship with the other housemates. I simply tried to be myself. But throughout that time, I never let go of the true reasons I wanted to be inside the house: To let people know who I am and to win the prize,” he declared.
“Never forget what your goals in joining are. Also, never do anything that you will eventually regret. What happened to us back then was different. We never really had any idea of how being part of the show would affect our lives. Now that we have had several editions already, we know that PBB really helps improve lives,” he observed.
Achievements
Zanjoe landed his first leading man role in 2008 in the fantasy-adventure series “Dyosa.” But his landmark TV project was the 2014 dramatic soap series “Dream Dad.” In 2017, he was nominated for best performance by an actor at the 45th IEMMY’s (International Emmy) Awards for his performance in “Maalaala Mo Kaya: Anino.”
To celebrate all of his achievements and to look back at his vivid years in the biz, the Kapamilya network has produced a documentary titled “Hanep, Kinse na Pala! Zanjoe’s 15 years in Showbiz.” It will feature Zanjoe’s family, coactors, longtime friends, and mentors in the business such as Piolo Pascual, Angelica Panganiban, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Locsin, Bela Padilla, Toni Gonzaga and directors Ruel Bayani, Cathy Garcia-Molina, FM Reyes, Connie Macatuno, and Lauren Dyogi, among others.
Having fun“I simply enjoyed the ride,” said Zanjoe when asked what his secret is to making it in the business for 15 years. “You really have to be enjoying what you’re doing so that it won’t feel like work. Make sure you’re having fun. Look at me, I didn’t even notice that I’ve been here all those years. I learned to love what I do, especially since I joined show biz not really knowing anything—how to act and to be an artist.”
He further said: “Maintain good relationships, not just with fellow actors but also with those who work behind the cameras, the staff, production team, and everyone. Make good connections with them as well as with your audience.”
Get to know more about Zanjoe on- and off-cam by catching the three-part documentary on Star Magic’s Official YouTube Channel on the following dates: Sept. 26, Oct. 2 and 9, at 12nn.
