John "Sweet" Lapus has two nominations in the forthcoming Golden Screen TV Awards 2011 to be handed out on November 29, Tuesday, at the Teatrino at the Promenade in Greenhills, San Juan City.
He is a finalist in the Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Comedy/Gag Show category for "Show Me Da Manny" and is also a contender in the Outstanding Showbiz Talk Show Host for "Showbiz Central."
"I am elated by the nominations and I am very thankful that the Golden Screen Awards recognized my effort to be the best that I can be in my craft," says Sweet who won the Best Actor trophy at the Golden Screen Awards last April for the hit comedy film "Here Comes the Bride." "Nakakatuwa kasi pinaghihirapan at pinagbubuti ko ang trabaho ko kaya naman it feels great to be nominated."
Set to open on the 30th of November is the Star Cinema movie "Won’t Last a Day Without You" where Sweet gets to work for the first time with box-office stars Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson.
What role do you play in the movie?
"My role here is DJ Ram. Ako yung friend/mentor ni Sarah na nag-train sa kanya sa pagiging DJ. May segment siya sa radio show ko na Alam na Alam with DJ Ram. Siya ang nagbibigay ng love advice. Ang siste, dahil bigo siya sa pag-ibig, naging bitter ang mga payo niya sa mga callers. Hanggang sa magtagpo sila ng landas ni Gerald. At the end of the day, walang matigas na puso ang hindi napapalambot ng pag-ibig. Kilig," relates Sweet.
How is it working with Sarah and Gerald?
Masaya. I 've always admired Sarah and Gerald. Si Ge favorite ko yan dahil marespetong bata. First time he saw me sa birthday celebration ni Megastar Sharon Cuneta years ago, lumapit sya at nagpa-picture pa. Tuwing Star Magic Ball, nilalapitan ako niyan at nagbibigay pugay. Mabait, magalang at higit sa lahat may talent. Gerald is not just a handsome actor, talented pa. " says Sweet.
"Si Sarah naman, I’ve always been a fan. Yung ginawa nyang reinvention sa sarili nya is admirable. Singer, actress now an icon. Na wishlist ko talaga ang maka-work siya like John Lloyd na idol ko din. Ang gaan ni Sarah sa shooting. Kahit umaga or puyat na kami kumakanta lang sya sa dressing room. Free concert. Sarah, like a child, is so fragile. Kaya dapat iniingatan at inaalagaan. Good thing nandyan si Mommy Divine. I hope makatagpo na din siya ng lovelife niya. Mahusay siya dito sa Won’t Last A Day. Forte nya talaga ang comedy na love story na may drama.
"Kaya naman I'm so happy na naka-work ko na si Sarah at Ge. Pinakilig nila ako sa first movie nila. Mas pakikiligin tayong lahat dito sa second movie nila together."
Having worked with them and seeing them together on the set, can you say that there’s something going on between them?
"May chemistry si Ge at Sarah. Hindi ako magtataka na magkadevelopan sila. Ewan ko na lang kung okey kay Mommy Divine," he says with a laugh.
Were you able to relate to the role?
"Naka-relate ako sa role ni Sarah. To be honest, until now medyo jaded ako sa love. Pero alam ko naman na darating ang isang tao na magmamahal sa akin at palalambutin ang puso kong dala na, hahaha."
How would you sum up 2011? I believe it’s one of the best years of your career.
"2011 is quite an adventurous year for me. May masaya, may malungkot at may intriga. But I like adventure. It makes me tick and make better of my craft as an artist. I will never forget 2011. Ang year na ito ang nagsabing hindi na ako STARLET after winning my first 2 acting awards for Here Comes the Bride. Mula sa Golden Screen at Guillermo Mendoza. I will be forever grateful sa two award giving bodies na yan. And I will always remember 2011.
What is your Christmas wish and what do you look forward to in 2012?
"For 2012, sasalubungin ko siya sa New York with my friend Kris Aquino and her kids. Para maiba naman. I want something new kasi sa 2012. New sitcom, new soap, new movie and hopefully new awards. I’m looking forward sa sitcom namin ni Marian sa GMA, my launching movie sa Viva directed by Direk Wenn Deramas and isang soap sa isang network."
Is this the first time you are going to spend Christmas in the US?
Nag-Christmas and new year na din po ako dati sa USA. Now na lang ulit. Actually, now na lang me ulit makakapag-USA mula ng mag-GMA ako. Naging busy din kasi at wala naman masyadong offer to have a show there.
"Last Sunday, I hosted the Star Magic Gives Back event sa Zirkoh na spearheaded by Piolo Pascual. Nandoon yung nagpo-produce ng Star Magic World Tour every year. She requested na isama daw ako next year. Excited ako dito kasi makakasama ko na naman ang mga kapatid ko sa Star Magic."
Sweet is also appearing in this Saturday’s episode of Regal Shocker where he plays the lead role. Titled "Espiritista," also featured are Bekimon and James Blanco.
"Nangailanagan ng espiritista si James para sa bahay nila kasi may mga nagpaparamdam. Eh dahil type ko sya, nagpanggap akong espiritista. Yun pala eh meron talagang monster doon sa bahay nila. Nakakatakot at nakakatawa ang episode. Directed by Ryan Carlos. More than 24 hours kaming nagtaping para mapaganda ang ep. Sana watch nila."
"I’m deeply flattered na ginawa talaga ng Regal Shocker ang episode na Espiritista para sa akin," said Sweet.