Matt, Rodjun & Carl: Not just another birthday

Matt Evans. Rodjun Cruz. Carl John Barrameda. They are three of the Star Magic talents who are thankful for the blessings they have received and are looking forward to more fruitful years to come as they turned a year wiser recently.

Matt, who turned 18 last Oct. 22, remains humble in spite of the role he bagged as Pedro Penduko after his stint on Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition where Kim Chiu emerged as the big winner.

"Buhok lang po ang malaki sa akin, ’di ang ulo ko," he says.

In fact, the Fil-Am actor still rides in public utility vehicles when going to work and is happy when people call him Pedro. The TV series is doing so well in the ratings game, its supposed 20-episode run will be extended.

As a gift to himself, Matt bought a second-hand Toyota Corolla worth P160,000. He says he is content with the car for now as he is more focused on helping his family financially. Olyn Meimban, Matt’s ladylove and co-star in Pedro Penduko, gave him a pair of pants.

With his earnings, Matt even had their house in Project 4 renovated. He lives with his mom, stepdad and stepsisters. Too busy with his work, he temporarily stopped looking for his American dad. Matt’s father, who is based in West Virginia, left him when he was eight months old.

A high school graduate of Quirino High School, Matt also plans to resume his studies by using the AMA scholarship he won in the PBB Teen Edition.

Aside from acting, Matt is also good in composing and has already written nine songs for the band Cherokee, which he is a member prior joining showbiz.

Meanwhile, Rodjun, older brother of Rayver Cruz and Ricky Belmonte’s nephew, is taking his showbiz career slowly but surely. He is not even insecure if Rayver gets to enjoy bigger breaks than he does.

The second year Business Administration student of St. Francis started in showbiz at eight and has appeared on 5 & Up and Best Friends.

It was his Uncle Ricky who urged them to try acting and instilled in them the value of hard work.

Rodjun was in the cast of the just-concluded drama show Calla Lily where he played Ana Roces’ brother and was paired with Star Circle Grand Questor Erich Gonzales. He is now one of the Animé members who will be seen on one of the Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) episodes.

He celebrated his 19th birthday on the set of MMK last Oct. 10 and attended Mass before proceeding to the taping.

"I thank God for the blessings and wish for more projects to come," he says.

Rodjun also plays the guitar and busies himself as one of the segment hosts of A.S.A.P Full Circle.

The 5’10" actor is content with what he has right now and promises to do everything for his craft.

Carl John, on the other hand, didn’t expect that his being a commercial model of a hotdog brand and noodles would lead him to greater things in front of the klieg lights.

The 13-year-old actor realized acting is his forte when he passed the audition for a young John Lloyd Cruz on the TV drama series Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay.

Since then, he has appeared in movies like ’Til There Was You and Mr. Suave and TV shows Arriba, Arriba and Mga Anghel na Walang Langit. He is now regularly seen every Sunday on Goin’ Bulilit.

With his busy schedule these days, Carl John still manages to continue his studies as a freshman of Angelicum.

He celebrated his birthday last Oct. 12 wishing for more projects to come.