In the movie In My Life, John Lloyd Cruz gets to play a gay guy for the first time and admits that his offbeat character is a welcome change from his previous roles. This early, he is already being commended for his performance, but Lloydy explains that it is more important to him that their movie gets well-deserved recognitions than him getting any acting award. "Hindi ko naman ginawa ang pelikulang 'to or 'yung character ko, thinking na ang nag -fuel sa akin ay 'yung mga awards na makukuha ko," he explains but clarifies that any acting award would be a bonus.
The movie is Lloydy's first collaboration with the Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos and admits that he had a hard time keeping up with the seasoned actress' impressive acting. "Yung pinakamahirap kong eksena 'yung confrontation ko with Ate Vi. Sobrang mahirap siyang katrabaho, hindi dahil sa unprofessional siya pero dahil kapag katrabaho mo siya, napapatingin ka na lang, napapanood ka na lang," he shares. "Parang 'yung isang confrontation namin andaming nangyari. Madaming blocking, palipat-lipat."
When he and Ate Vi shot that particular scene, Lloydy shares, "Nung una , full shot lang ni Ate Vi. Siyempre support ako all the way. Kahit 'di ako kita, acting ako, ganyan. Pero nung reverse ko na, puro ako na, and it's time for me to deliver, nanonood ako kasi si Ate Vi kahit na support lang siya umaarte rin. Sobrang generous ni Ate Vi na kahit hindi siya kita sa camera, umaarte. Ibinibigay niya. So ako sa halip na intindihin ko 'yung emotions ko dahil kailangan kong mag -deliver, hindi ko magawa kasi ilang takes pinapanood ko siya. In that sense mahirap siyang katrabaho ."
Reputed as the box-office king and one of today's most brilliant actors, Lloydy admits that improving his acting skills is a continuous struggle. "Until now I still question myself kung 'yun bang mga nagawa ko eh pumasa kasi 'yung iba it's subjective," he shares. He relates that he started taking his craft to heart by the latter part of his first TV series, Tabing-Ilog. "Dun nagsimula 'yung interes ko , I started taking my job seriously. Doon parang feeling ko parang ito na 'yung path na gusto kong tahakin. Ang bawat roles after Tabing Ilog, sineryoso ko na."
He relates that after doing Tabing Ilog , he made sure that he portrayed every role effectively not just for the success of every project but to make sure that each character is given justice. Despite all the compliments he receives, he explains that he cannot categorize his acting skills because it is a craft in progress. "Ayokong tumigil do'n gusto kong pagyamanin siya."
Having to the chance to work with respected names in the business is a great blessing for John Lloyd, and points out that not everyone is given the privilege. To show his gratitude for the opportunities given to him, Lloydy says that he really exerts effort to make sure that he portrays each character well. "Mas nagma -matter sa akin at this point kung nagampanan ko ba ng tama ang pagtitiwala na ibinigay sa akin ng Star Cinema at 'yung pagtanggap mismo ni Ate Vi na makatrabaho ako. Ang pinakanagma -matter sa akin ngayon, sana hindi ko siya ma -disappoint. Hindi naman niya naiparadam sa akin na nagkulang ako. 'Yun naman ang hindi ko talaga maipagpapalit 'pag binigyan mo ako ng tiwala at ganun kaimportanteng role. Ayoko madi -disappoint ang mga nagtitiwala sa akin lalo na si Ate Vi," he concludes.
