Cedrick Juan feels ‘pressure’ of success, but keeps feet on the ground

Cedrick Juan. Image: Instagram/@cedrickgjuan

Since portraying the role of Padre Jose Burgos in “GomBurZa,” Cedrick Juan has been on a constant rise. But while he considers his breakout role as a blessing, he maintains that he wants to stay true to his goals as an actor.

“Ang pressure nandyan siya lagi, hindi siya nawawala (The pressure will always be there. It won’t go away),” he told reporters on the sidelines of the Cinemalaya 2024 press conference, when asked if he feels pressured to take on bigger roles after “GomBurZa.”

“Ang gusto ko lang ma-reiterate na kahit nakakuha ka ng award, pwede ka pa ring gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi ka magiging magaling. Gan’un kami bilang aktor,” he continued. “Kahit nabibigyan kami ng preparation kasi nakakabaliw maging aktor. Hindi mo masasabi na kahit manalo ka, magiging successful ka sa mga susunod mo.”

(I just want to reiterate that even if you won an award, you could still do things that would not be as great, even if we’re given time for preparation. Being an actor is quite daunting. You can’t say that if you win an award, your succeeding projects will necessarily be as successful.)

It’s been months since “GomBurZa” became one of the top films at the Metro Manila Film Festival, but Juan remains grateful not only for its box-office success but also the critical acclaim it received.

“Hindi namin lubos maisip na malayo [ang tatahakin] ng ‘GomBurZa,’ Nagsimula kami last year na gustong ibalik ang pagmamahal sa ating bansa, history at kapuwa nating Pilipino. Kapag merong ginagawang something more than yourself, may balik talaga ang universe. D’un kami pinaka-natutuwa,” he said.

(We didn’t expect that “GomBurZa” would reach that far. We embarked on a project last year to bring back the love for our country, history and fellow Filipinos. If you do something more than yourself, the universe gives back in return. That’s what makes us happy.)

Cedrick Juan. Image: JT Fernandez for Scout

Onward to Cinemalaya

After his award-winning performance in “GomBurZa,” one of Juan’s next projects is the Cinemalaya 2024 film entry “Gulay Lang, Manong,” which tells the story of a farmer who joins forces with the police to uncover a marijuana cartel. This eventually leads to the farmer being swept up by cannabis as well.

“It is about the struggle of our farmers. At the same time, ‘yung maling pananaw when it comes to cannabis na masyadong nasa dark side,” said Juan. “Pwede siyang pag-aralan at pwedeng maging open ang mga tao about it.”

(It is about the struggle of our farmers. At the same time, it is about the wrong beliefs when it comes to cannabis which is leading towards the dark side. You can learn about this topic, which could lead to more people being open.)

This film, according to Juan, is meant to challenge the viewer’s “moral compass” when it comes to the topic of “marijuana,” and how they can learn from it. When asked if taking on socially relevant roles is his goal as an actor, he said it has always been his “target” to do so.

As an artist, feeling ko ‘yun talaga ang trabaho. ‘Yung boses and craft namin ang pinakamahalaga. If nagkakaroon kami ng chance, ‘yun ang target ko lagi. Ang magkaroon ng boses ang mga oppressed,” he said.

(As an artist, I feel that this is my job. Our voice and craft are the most important thing we have. If we have the chance to take this kind of projects, that is always my target, to give voice to the oppressed.)

The actor also hopes there will come a time when mainstream media will be “freer” in giving a platform to stories that deserve to be heard by the public.

“I would like that time to come na… maging independent ang mainstream media. With that, matutulungan nating [magkaroon ng platform] ang mga storyang dapat malaman ng mga tao,” he said. “I think there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as fit ‘yung mga naha-hire ang artists and nakakatulong.”

(I would like to think that a time will come when mainstream media will be independent. With this, we will help in giving a platform to stories that people should know. I think there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as the artists chosen to do so are fit enough.)