IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Jao Mapa from screen to canvas
Jao Mapa. Image from his Facebook page
During the ’90s, a young actor dared to dream of becoming the next big star of his generation — an artist whose gift was not only acting, but also singing and a view of the world from a painter’s eye.
Jao Mapa rose to fame as the fourth member of the then wildly popular “Gwapings” that first launched the show biz career of other three young actors to stardom — Mark Anthony Fernandez, Jomari Yllana, and Eric Fructuoso.
Before Gwapings, Jao was known for his soft drinks commercial, which enabled him to transition into acting with, first with “Palibhasa Lalaki,” a popular sitcom headlined by Richard Gomez, Joey Marquez and John Estrada. He eventually landed roles in drama films such as “Pare Ko” and “Dahil Tanging Ikaw.”
Despite his potential to become the next big star at the time, Jao stepped away from the spotlight to pursue a quieter, more introspective path — painting.
The actor recently sat down with INQUIRER.net for an online interview, where he took a trip down memory lane during his Gwapings days and discussed how he still embraces the acting craft, yet his heart now firmly belongs to art.
“I’m still here, acting,” he said. “I’m still in the entertainment business but not as visible as before.”
READ: Jao Mapa: Portrait of former teen star as an artist
While currently signed up with Viva Artist Agency, Jao is now teaching art part time at an international school. He chooses his project to suit his schedule. An occasional indie project here, a supporting role that intrigues him there, Jao still looks fondly upon his active days in showbiz despite his new “muse.”
“Actually if you’re coming from, kung probinsyano ka, tapos biglang isasabak ka sa isang mundo o kagaya ng entertainment business na nalalaman natin, medyo nabighani ako to tell you how it was […] And at the time, you had money, you had power, you had fame, you had life. So I was very fortunate and blessed at the time. I could say that was a time that I also enjoyed,” he recalled.
He recently appeared in the 2023 comedy “Para Kang Papa Mo” alongside fellow Gwapings, Mark Anthony and Eric. He also had a supporting role in the Jerald Napoles-starrer drama-comedy “Instant Daddy.”
New art
As he affirmed that he will always love acting and is still waiting for the right project to come along, the former matinee idol admitted that he has no regrets about leaving the limelight to pursue his art.
“I have no regrets. I guess this was just a phase in my life because for one, I think I have already exhausted my staying abilities with regard to acting. Not to say that I’m turning down already. I mean, I’ve already established myself as an actor,” he explained.
This is why, Jao said, his priorities have shifted, justifying that if he remained solely in the entertainment business, he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to hone and flourish his other artistic skills.
“My priorities [have changed] I’m so much into painting right now. It’s a new art that I’d like to express and show to the people right now, to everybody… That’s actually also flourishing. And I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for my art. If I would still be relying on the entertainment business, I would still be fighting off and trying to find projects. I’m not closing my doors to entertainment. But I’m more successful right now with art,” the actor stressed, adding that his art is what provides his family.
Still, it amuses him that some of his students or their parents would Google up his acting past. Or his current acting endeavors.
“They tried to learn who I was. And they found old clips of me on YouTube. And then they were asking, ‘Oh you’re famous, you’re an artist before.’ And I would say, ‘Yeah I was.’ And I would just laugh it off. But yeah they’re aware. But iba ang pagka-teacher ko sa kanila, sa ibang mga teachers. I’m more personal and engaged. Actually, I’m more of a friend than a teacher. But guiding them just in art,” he shared.
The 49-year-old actor is also currently working on an album. He shared that he is open to joining any projects from both ABS-CBN and GMA, as long as they would fit into his teaching schedule.
“I have no qualms about it,” he said. “I love acting. It’s a different form of art. It is a different expression that I get and satisfaction with acting.”
Words of wisdom
Given his experience in show business, Jao offered words of wisdom to up-and-coming artists or heartthrobs who intend to succeed in a competitive industry.
“I’d say you could go happy-go-lucky. Everybody’s happy-go-lucky then. No problems with bashing and now the new media, social media, fan base is out there. It’s a whole different ballgame. You can do anything back then but now you have to watch your step,” he expressed.
“You never know. You’re doing something good, biglang someone will take it back and bash you. Which is something not nice as an entertainer, as an actor. What you should really do is you should be more vigilant, watch your back at all times. Just do what you do best. Don’t hurt anybody. I guess you’ll do fine,” added the actor.
Jao, who is a figurative expressionist, currently runs a solo exhibit at the Manila Clock Tower until the end of the month. He also has another exhibit in the works coming in May.
