Back to his first love

Lloyd Samartino need not take TV assignments if he doesn’t want to. His company, Sergio Holdings, Inc. (named after his 13-year-old son by estranged Jo Ramos) is dong well.

The construction business, which Lloyd started many years back, has buildings in various parts of the metro. Snooky even stayed in one of them — a four-storey, fully-furnished affair called Del Pilar Place — in Makati when she was looking for a place to stay.

But acting is Lloyd’s passion. His business may have sidelined him from his first love, but Lloyd hasn’t forgotten the joy of working before the camera. That’s why, when he saw a GMA van and director Maryo J. delos Reyes giving instructions on the set while Albert Martinez stood rapt in attention, Lloyd didn’t think twice. He saw his chance, and didn’t let it slip by.

Lloyd went up to direk Maryo and told him how much he loved to act again. It doesn’t matter if all the award-winning director can offer is a bit role with only a few days taping. Working with someone like Maryo J is honor itself.

Albert, who happens to be Lloyd’s kumpare, was excited for his friend. "Go for it," Albert urged Lloyd. "I can’t do all the roles around here."

But where to begin?

Luckily for Lloyd, there was an opening. Maryo J just fired the guy cast as a lawyer in the teleseries. Lloyd got a call slip two days later and found himself playing the role. His director must have been pleased at what he saw. To his pleasant surprise, Lloyd’s assignment stretched from only a few days to three months.

And he hasn’t stopped acting since. After he met talent manager Leo Dominguez through Snooky, Lloyd’s hands have been full. Lloyd was cast in GMA 7’s Mulawin, which ran for two seasons.

The roles may not be pretty boy ones like those Lloyd used to play in the ‘80s, when the movie industry was still alive and well, and not dying as it is now. Lloyd has turned over that part to the likes of Richard Gutierrez and Piolo Pascual.

"They are so good-natured, always smiling and saying hello," Lloyd observes.

His roles these days may not be lead parts, like those he used to play one after the other years back. But Lloyd is not complaining.

He has no reason to. He plays a meaty role — that of a manipulative, scheming construction tycoon on ABS-CBN’ s new drama series Walang Kapalit. As evil incarnate, Lloyd makes life miserable for the heroes and heroines of the show (which topbills Claudine Barretto and Piolo Pascual).

"I enjoy doing these types of roles because I’ve portrayed good characters all my life. This time, I want to show the mean streak in my body," Lloyd says.

He has another reason to be proud of. Walang Kapalit, he states, is an adult drama, without the usual loveteam or fantasy element. ABS-CBN, in veering away from the tried-and-tested path, is taking a gamble on this one.

Lloyd can only cross his fingers the giant network, and GMA as well, will notice him again on Walang Kapalit. After all, Lloyd doesn’t mind playing a father or uncle, which is what those his age are wont to get these days.

Acting in his blood (Carmen Soriano is his mother, remember?). And stardom was offered to Lloyd on a silver platter.

His son is turning out to be a chip off the old block. The boy, whom Lloyd visits regularly (Sergio, or Sarge for short, stays with his mom) has inherited his parents’ artistic bent. The teenager has even undergone Trumpets workshops.

And, like his mom, former President Fidel Ramos’ grandson is a percussionist. Sarge’s innate sense of rhythm also shows in his love for dancing.

Now don’t be surprised if the boy prods Lloyd to help him get a break on TV one of these days. Showbiz is a field that could come to Sarge as naturally as boxing does to Manny Pacquiao.