For John Lloyd, acting is like a journey

For gifted young actor John Lloyd Cruz, acting is a lot like a journey – one big adventure filled with amazing highs and just as astounding lows. "Acting is a journey," he waxes philosophically. "You meet so many new people along the way. You get to play so many roles."

And each new friend he makes, each new character he portrays gives him the precious gift of self-discovery and bestows on him priceless lessons along the way. "You get to learn so many things about yourself and about life," John Lloyd affirms. "It’s a long process. It’s an unending process."

One important realization is the inevitable fact that "showbiz fame is fleeting." Such a statement sounds pessimistic, particularly because it comes from one of the hottest young men in showtown. His nightly soap opera on ABS-CBN 2, It Might Be You, is not only a consistent toprater, his launching movie (with partner Bea Alonzo) My First Romance was also a certified blockbuster.

From all visible (and vital) indications, John Lloyd’s career is zooming straight to the stratosphere. It wasn’t always like this for John Lloyd, who was introduced as one of the promising members of Star Circle Batch 5 over half a decade ago.

Although he has worked six long years to reach the top, he is fully aware it could take a fraction of a second for fame and fortune (along with fair-weather friends) to disappear. "It can be tough if you let celebrity go to your head," he points out. "It can be fun, but you also reach the point when you ask yourself: Wait a minute, what if I lose all this? That’s why you have to always work hard. Always give your best. And it’s wise to have a fallback."

After only half a dozen years in the biz, John Lloyd already sounds like a seasoned veteran who has seen fire and rain, who’s been through the worst storms and has grown stronger and smarter because of them.

"I used to take problems to heart," he confesses. "I used to get so wrapped up in them. But now I’ve learned to be more relaxed, more laidback about life."Intrigues of the past few months have undoubtedly taken its toll on the once-optimistic dreamer. In fact, he admits being more guarded these days.

"I’ve noticed that my wall is becoming thicker," he explains. "I just want to stay clear of problems. My job is hard enough as it is. I work almost every single day. That’s why when I get home, I’d much rather not think of problems." Quite candidly, he describes the real-life John Lloyd as "complicated."

"I can be quite complex," he laughs. "That’s why I want a complicated girl. One who would understand me." In spite of the "convoluted" exterior, Lloyd is actually a very straightforward (and down-to-earth) guy at heart. Like other industrious young men, he considers his family his inspiration, the source of his strength.

"I just love seeing my family happy," he confirms. "That’s why whenever I see them pleased, excited at the way my career is going, it actually encourages me to work even harder." Because he is a worthy role model for today’s youth. Because he is a hard-working and yet fun-loving young man. Because he exemplifies the Blue Soda lifestyle.

These are precisely the reasons why Blue Soda has signed John Lloyd up as one of its prized image models, along with another ABS-CBN contract player Rafael Rosel IV. (Pink Soda, on the other hand, is endorsed by John Lloyd’s former partner in Tabing Ilog Kaye Abad and upcoming model-host Bianca Gonzalez). John Lloyd, along with other image models of the clothing company are gracing the Summerwear is Pink Soda and Blue Soda and Summerwhere is Puerto del Sol event. The 2004 summer collection of Pink and Blue Soda will be unveiled via a fashion show set in a replica of Puerto del Sol (located in Bolinao, Pangasinan where their latest pictorial by Jun de Leon was set) complete with bahay kubo, white sand and waterfalls. More than 50 models will join the show.

According to Chin Chin Bona-La Rosa, vice president of Pink and Blue Soda, John Lloyd is a lot like Rafael, a "perfect gentleman" who is well-mannered and can be very reserved. "He doesn’t intrude in conversations," Chin Chin remembers their pictorial with John Lloyd. "He would just listen quietly. But he would also put in his two cents’ worth if he is interested in or knows the topic well."

In a lot of ways, he is a very normal guy, the typical boy next door. Even though his profession can be quite extraordinary, he adamantly chooses to remain ordinary.

Case in point: He has very simple dreams, really. "Aside from financial stability for me and my family, I only dream of a peaceful life," he acknowledges. Especially since showbiz is so crazy, so chaotic, he says.

When the going gets tough in tinseltown, John Lloyd seeks solace in his spiritual life. Recently he picked up the inspirational book The Purpose-Driven Life. He admits he feels rather intimidated by the book’s ponderous message. But he also hopes that he will someday reach that stage when he will be ready and willing to live a "purpose-driven life."

"That’s my ultimate dream," he intones. "To serve God. No matter how big a star you become, no matter how far or how high you go in this business, you should never forget your values. You have to search for your true purpose in life."

And that’s exactly what makes this journey called life worth living, he opines.