Multi-awarded actor Sid Lucero is nothing but happy that his cousin Geoff Eigenmann has landed the role of Fernando Jose in “Rosalinda.”

“I think it’s awesome, I think that he deserves it and I think he is going to do great,” said Sid at the press conference of his forthcoming movie, “Astig.”

Since Geoff was picked as leading man in the remake of the famed Mexiconovela, some people have speculated that it may have made some of his relatives in showbiz,  jealous.

Sid dismisses the intrigues with a matter-of-fact explanation.

“Each member of our family who is in showbiz, chose his own career path. Geoff likes doing leading man roles while I like doing indie films with its starker stories. I am happy where I want to be. I chose to be where I am,” he said.

This “choice” has brought the 26-year-old actor several awards. These include a Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Best Actor trophy for the film “Donsol” (2006); a Gawad Urian Award Best Actor trophy for “Selda” (2007); and a Thessaloniki Film Festival Best Actor trophy, again, for “Selda.”

Not bad for someone who doesn’t want to be a star.

“Stars die, actors live forever,” he quipped.

Sid will soon be seen in “Astig,” an entry to the 2009 Cinemalaya Festival. He plays the role of Baste,  a Marine Engineering student who is overly protective of his sister, Elgine. Other leading men in “Astig” are Dennis Trillo, Arnold Reyes and Edgar Allan Guzman.

Asked why he prefers to be an actor than a star, “it’s because the first doesn’t require me to sing at malls.”

“What I mean is, stars have the whole package. They can sing, they can dance, they can host shows and more.  They take the country by storm while I just want to be quiet. I just want to act. My love is acting,” he said.

Sid added: “Besides, I’d rather be watched by the whole world and not just the country. Many mainstream Filipino films are not seen abroad because these have – and understandably so – formula stories. Kasi nga naman, if people are to shell out money to be entertained, they’d want something easy to digest.

“Whereas indie films are unadorned, thus, more appealing to the world who want to know what is going on in our country. Yes, I would love to have the billboards and the endorsements that stars have. But above these, I want to be known an actor who portrays challenging roles.” 

Will he have accepted the Fernando Jose role if it were offered to him?

 “I would not have turned down the offer but I would still do indie films for balance.”

Sid and Geoff get advice from each other. More importantly, the two uplift each other when the chips are down.

“Hindi naman kasi maiwasan na minsan, may lull ang career mo. When that happens, management must  do something about it. Those are the times when certain decisions have to be made,” Sid said.

The actor trounces insinuations that Geoff only got signed up for “Rosalinda” because of the latter’s striking resemblance with the actor who first played Fernando Jose.

“That’s stupid,” he said. “An actor is given a role because whoever is in charge knows that actor can do a good job. Geoff will deliver the goods in ‘Rosalinda,’ you’ll see.”

In the same way that many people believe Sid’s acting in “Astig” will yet again earn him acclaim.

“Astig” will have its world premier at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater on July 18 (Saturday) at 9 pm, and another gala screening at the CCP Main Theater on July 23 (Thursday) at 6:15 pm. The movie will have other screenings in various CCP venues on July 19, 21, 22, 24 and 25.

“Astig” is sponsored by  Café La Carmela, R.A. Gapuz Review Center, Sierra Madre, Sony Music, Tropezz International House of Catering, Joel Cruz of Afficonado and La Carmela de Boracay.