Zanjoe lands meaty roles during pandemic; thanks to colleagues who opted to lie low

Zanjoe Marudo

Actor Zanjoe Marudo said that his colleagues, who chose to lie low or retire from acting during the pandemic, have actually “helped” him land meaty roles like that of David Ilustre in “The Broken Marriage Vow.”

“I guess the timing is just perfect, especially since a lot of my contemporaries are currently not interested in doing production work. That is actually a big factor, and also the fact that I have become a lot more mature as an actor. I’m now ready to take on more challenging characters. I already know what I want and what I’m capable of doing,” Zanjoe said in a recent virtual chat with show biz scribes. “I’ve also learned to embrace the opportunities given to me, as well as where this project will eventually take me once it’s done.”

Zanjoe said he was proud and grateful to have started his show biz career by joining the reality talent search “Pinoy Big Brother” some 15 years ago. “It was a happy experience, but at the same time, a struggle. I knew nothing about acting before that. I also had no inkling of where I’d end up later on. I just knew that I had to step up because I was given a unique chance to prove my worth,” he recalled.

“I studied acting. I persevered. I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than being an actor so I knew I had to be a good one. That’s why when our network bosses started giving me interesting projects, I tried to give my very best so that they wouldn’t regret taking a chance on me; so that they’d continue to give me more worthwhile ones,” he added.

Zanjoe recently renewed his contract with home network ABS-CBN and its talent management arm, Star Magic. “I’ve had a long-standing relationship with them. I value this relationship and prioritize it over whatever money I could have earned elsewhere if ever I decided to leave,” said the 39-year-old actor.

In good and bad times

“When I was just starting, they helped me by providing all the training and experiences I needed in order to improve as an actor. When the time came that it was them who needed help, I made sure I was around. They’re my family in good and bad times. I wouldn’t have achieved whatever professional success I’m experiencing now if not for them.”

In “The Broken Marriage Vow,” Zanjoe plays David, an architect and a married man who falls in love with the daughter of one of his business clients. He claimed that there’s a lot to learn from portraying the character.

“The program attempts to show you the consequences of your recklessness, or what will happen if you choose to cheat on your wife and hurt your children,” Zanjoe pointed out. “To be honest, it’s the effect on the kids that I’m more concerned about. More than the wife, they have more to lose as a result of your actions. Their welfare should be the most important thing for you.”

New techniques

In creating his character, Zanjoe said he had to work closely with director Connie Macatuno, whom he already collaborated with in the 2020 dramatic film “Malaya” alongside Lovi Poe.

“It helped that we already know each other and are aware of each other’s quirks and capabilities, likes and dislikes,” Zanjoe explained. “Direk Connie has done more films than teleseryes so her attack is different. I tried to help her as much as I can in that aspect. I made sure to cooperate in order for her to achieve what she envisioned for the series.”

“I’m amazed by her because the way she handles each scene is not at all typical. Sometimes, she would suggest for me to do a different attack on a particular scene, and when I review our takes, I’d say, ‘Oo nga! She was right!’ The other cast members and I are lucky to have worked with Direk Connie in this show. We’ve learned new techniques on how to deliver lines for TV, something that’s totally different from what we’re used to seeing in typical drama series.”

“The Broken Marriage Vow,” a Filipino remake of the British series “Doctor Foster,” also stars Jodi Sta. Maria, Sue Ramirez and Zaijian Jaranilla. INQ