Prized actor John Lloyd Cruz categorically said that playing lover to Luis Manzano in Star Cinema’s “In My Life” is his first and last gay role. 

“Bilang artista, di ba ang success mo ay nasusukat doon sa pag-iwas mo sa word na nalilimitahan ka? Kung gagawa ka ng isang bagay na nagawa mo na, medyo hindi yata ideal ‘yon sa trabaho namin,” he said during the “In My Life” presscon held Aug. 25.

“Ang ultimate dream ko is to portray different roles. Mas marami, mas maganda. [Kung]  nagawa ko na ‘yong journey doing this kind of character, ibang journey naman sana ang gusto ko [sa susunod].”

A consummate actor, John Lloyd did his ‘homework’ to achieve an almost real-life portrayal of a gay lover in “In My Life.”

“Malaking parte ng preparation ‘yung cerebral,” he said. “S’yempre, you have to create a life, a character, a heart, for the character of Noel. So meron na siyang puso, so binubuo mo naman ‘yong pagkatao niya.”

Working with the Star for All Seasons is a win-win experience for John Lloyd.

“The pressure [of working with Ate Vi] is like sky diving. Kapag nag-chicken out ka, ang sama. When you’re on land, you’ll keep thinking how it would have been like had you taken the challenge,” said he.

He also described working with Vilma as “a journey of discovery.”

“Kay Ate Vi, walang ka-effort-effort [ang pagarte].  [Pero] mas masarap pala siyang pagmasdan sa likod ng camera kasi mas importante ang lessons [na natutunan ko sa kanya] off cam.”

John Lloyd was also all praises for Luis.

“He was really on top of his game [here]. Pag nakita mo siya sa set kung gaano siya ka-focus, ‘yong willingness niya….‘yun ‘yong na-appreciate ko.”