ZANJOE MARUDO has been acting since 2006 after he joined Pinoy Big Brother and he has since won two best supporting actor awards for “The Third Party” and his last movie, “Isa Pang Bahaghari”, in 2000.
He’s turning 40 years old in July and now, he has a good chance of winning a best actor award for his fine performance as Bela Padilla’s devoted anchor in the drama about grief and moving on, “366”.
“After I read the script, I asked Bela who also wrote it and then directed the movie, kung puede yung role na lang ni JC Santos ang ibigay sa akin,” he says.
“Mas mahirap kasi yung role ko as Marco, the proxy boyfriend who tries to help her move on after she lost JC. Maraming emotional na eksena and nakakapagod siya gawin.”
He’s also worried because Bela and JC have done several successful movies together.
“Malaking challenge for me na yung mga kasama ko, established tandem na on screen at ang dami na nilang nagawang pelikula before.
"I’ve worked with Bela on TV, but this is our first film together, so kailangan kong sabayan sila ni JC for the movie to work well.”
So did he have second thoughts about accepting the film?
“Hindi naman, kasi first directorial job ito ni Bela and first movie rin namin together, so I won’t let go of that opportunity.
"I want to show my support to her sa pagpasok niya sa bagong dimension na ito ng showbiz career niya.”
And how would she size up Bela as a first time director?
“Like I said, mahirap yung role ko so I am thankful sa guidance niya as our director. She certainly knows what she is doing. It also helped that mabuti na kaming magkaibigan since we did ‘Dear Heart’ in 2017.”
He adds that Bela is not at all intimidating as a director.
“She collaborates well with her actors. For Bela kasi, this is a special project for her so she wants everyone’s contribution. Amazing na siya before as an actress, but now nakakabilib siya as a director pa.
"Kalmado lang siya, tahimik lang ang lahat sa set, walang sumisigaw. You can sense it’s a group of artists na puro matatalino, very creative, very positive.”
“366” will be shown on Vivamax which is now known as the home of sexy flicks. What does he think are the chances of a straight drama like “366”?
“Every generation needs romantic stories like this, something that touches the heart and the soul. ‘366’ is about a woman’s journey from a very dark place as she’s mourning over the loss of a loved one, to how she regains hope and the will to move on in her life. It’s very inspirational.”
Like Bela, does he also intend to go and direct his own film someday?
“Yes, may balak din ako, pero kailangan ko munang makuha kay Bela yung tapang niiya para makapagsimula. Bilib ako sa kanya kasi wala siyang takot na baka mag-fail siya o hindi magustuhan ng viewers ang work niya.
"I have some materials in mind, but as of now I just want to focus muna on acting and do characters that I haven’t done before. Kailangan ko pa ng more experience before I go into directing.”
