Bea & John Lloyd: Beautiful partnership

MANILA, Philippines - It is not easy to forget Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, the 2002 ABS-CBN teleserye. It redefined the drama genre aside from showcasing an enviable line-up of award-winning actors and direction by Olivia Lamasan and Laurenti Dyogi. But to most fans, the series is remembered for introducing what is perhaps one of the strongest team-ups in show business — Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz.

Both were relatively new in showbiz at the time. John Lloyd, launched via Star Circle Batch 5 in 1997, was slowly gaining popularity as a matinee idol. His role as Rovic in the afternoon teen drama Tabing Ilog caught the attention of fans and critics. Bea, on the other hand, was launched via Star Circle 9 in 2000, and played one of the leads in the short-lived teen show K2BU. Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay proved to be the breakthrough project for both, allowing them to demonstrate immense dramatic talent and undeniable screen chemistry. Their roles had been their stepping stones from cute teeny-bopper roles to the bigger league of heavy drama. Both showed maturity, depth and development as the characters they portrayed evolved from teenagers to young adults. John Lloyd’s Yuri began as a confused young man searching to discover his true parentage, and ultimately turned into a man seeking revenge for the death of his adoptive father. Bea’s Katrina was an awkward, sheltered teenage girl unaware of her father’s dark secrets, who eventually became a lawyer trying to put her life back together after a major family crisis.

Together, John Lloyd and Bea became a truly bankable love team. Fans could not get enough of them, creating a demand for more projects together. This translated to more ventures on TV and film. On TV, John Lloyd and Bea starred in It Might Be You, Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Maging Sino Ka Man, Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik and I Love Betty La Fea. In film, the two were featured in My First Romance, Now That I Have You, All About Love, among others.

In response to the continuing clamor for a reunion project, ABS-CBN and Star Magic, on its 20th year, bring back John Lloyd and Bea together. They will star in the upcoming teleserye A Beautiful Affair. It will be directed by Dyogi. He is acknowledged as the “godfather” of this team-up, as he nurtured the on-screen partnership in their first teleserye. The series, currently filming in Vienna, Austria, will also star Janus del Prado and Megan Young.