Sid Lucero: From bad to good

MANILA, Philippines - Sid Lucero is very good when he’s playing a bad guy. Think Dahil May Isang Ikaw, Sugo and other projects.

But Sid in a good guy role? Who knows? Sid himself doesn’t.

That’s why he bristles with excitement when he reports on the set of ABS-CBN’s newest afternoon series Magkano ang Iyong Dangal?. This time, Sid is not the crook or devil incarnate. The award-winning Sid makes a 180-degree turn as Nilo, a smart, principled guy who protects his friend Carmela (Bangs Garcia).

The career risk is calculated.

“It’s a difficult role. Playing a protagonist in a story that doesn’t revolve around romance for a change is a challenge,” he says.

Playing screen villain, Sid goes on, gives him lots of room to explore. A good guy, role on the other hand, is not as flexible.

Meantime, the question as to whether the public will accept him in a goody-goody role or not hangs over Sid like the sword of Damocles.

He’s not that worried, though. Sid is more worried about the big no-no called typecasting.

“My goal is to have as many roles as possible,” he says. “I’ve turned down roles which I think are repetitions of what I’ve done.”

Feeling that he’s done a good job at the end of the day is more important to Sid.

“I love my job,” he declares. “If I have to change my physique to play a character that doesn’t fit me, I will.”

The deluge of praise he gets along the way is just icing on the cake.

“I appreciate the good words,” Sid explains. “But I don’t let them get into my head.”

Sid downplays the fact that Chito Roño, his director in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? was so impressed he created a role especially for the actor in the movie musical Emir.

“I don’t think he created a role for me,” Sid protests.

Still, he’s now in Morocco to shoot Emir, which revolves around the story of OFWs.

Sid says he is cast in a supporting role. But that doesn’t mean he should relax. Like any serious actor, Sid pours his heart and soul into any role. It doesn’t matter if it’s cameo, support, or lead, or whether it’s shown in the biggest theaters or not.

“I really feel pressured (about Emir),” he admits.

Sid doesn’t feel pressured, though, when it comes to following in the footsteps of cousin Ryan Eigenmann,who will marry his long-time girlfriend next month.

True, Sid has been going steady with Rozie Delgado, his girlfriend of six years. But wedding bells are not about to ring anytime soon.

“I have to prioritize,” states Sid. “How can I think of myself being with someone if I’m not even done with myself as an individual?”

Rozie, who comes from the Laurel showbiz-political clan, understands and gives him all the space he needs.

They’ve weathered attacks on their relationship from fans who frown on the romance. The scathing comments hurt at first. But things changed when Rozie directed a film (she has a degree in Film Studies). She started to understand that fans don’t want their idol to end up with someone else other than his/her leading man or leading lady.

Rozie also knows the need not worry when she sees Sid kissing Bangs in Magkano ang Iyong Dangal? (which premieres tomorrow, Jan. 25 after Wowowee on ABS-CBN).

He may be attracted to Bangs and they may be at ease with each other, but romance outside the cameras never crossed his mind.

“I haven’t fallen in love with my leading lady. That’s a boundary you should never cross because professionalism is important,” he relates.

In other words, Sid doesn’t mix business with pleasure. It’s part of his work ethic. And it’s getting him to places he has never been before, to roles he never imagined he would play.

That, for Sid, is enough reward.