Sweet victories for John Lapus

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from the box-office success of his recent Wenn Deramas movie under Viva Films, Moron 5 & The Crying Lady, John Lapus returns on primetime TV as he closes the second quarter of the year with a new series on GMA 7 titled Makapiling Kang Muli.

Makapiling Kang Muli is directed by Ricky Davao and it stars Richard Gutierrez, Sarah Lahbati and Carla Abellana. On the series, John plays support to Richard, which he doesn’t really mind even after recently receiving his second Actor of the Year award from the Guillermo Mendoza Scholarship Foundation and with the success of Moron 5.

“I really don’t mind playing a supporting role especially if the actor I am supporting is Richard,” says John who is fondly dubbed by the local press as the country’s Universal Sweet. “Richard is one of the nicest actors I have ever met in the industry. Tita Anabelle (Rama) and Tito Eddie (Gutierrez) raised him so well. Richard is also a very talented actor. He is very good in what he does and it is truly apparent that his craft as an actor has matured over the years. It’s such an honor and a privilege for me to work with him.”

John, who is a theater-trained actor from UST, has always been a favorite choice in numerous soaps every time the storyline calls for a gay supporting character. “I’m the perennial gay support in movies and soap. I really don’t mind. It’s so fun and fulfilling to play support to some of the country’s finest artists,” says John.

It should be noted that on GMA 7 alone, John has been featured on four top-rating series namely, Kim Sam Soon, Luna Mystica, Addict Sa ‘Yo and Pilyang Kerubin.

“I feel so blessed to be working with Richard this time. I’m very excited, too, because aside from the usual comedy that I do in the past series I was in, my character in Makapiling Kang Muli has a major role in the development of the story’s plot and the resolution of one of its main conflicts. Richard is a very generous actor and I am truly motivated in every scene that we do together.”

John also recently scored another victory in the box-office with the success of Joel Lamangan’s The Mommy Returns where John played support to Ruffa Gutierrez, Gabby Concepcion and Pokwang. Viva Films is currently planning John’s launching movie, which will be shown in cinemas nationwide early next year. He is also one of the hosts of Showbiz Central and his segment on the show Don’t Tell A Lie continues to be one of the most hilarious, much-awaited, and highly anticipated portions of the show.

“I’ve celebrated my 19th year in the business last May and I can’t help but feel humbled and grateful for the many blessings that I received for the past 19 years. The road that I trekked to get to where I am has been difficult but the journey is truly worth it. I’m so pumped up to give back and go back to my roots,” explains John.

And give back he will, as John is set to direct UST Teatro Tomasino’s maiden stage production for its 35th season in the upcoming school year. Teatro Tomasino is a non-stock, non-profit student organization that aims to promote theater and to support and train aspiring artists in UST. John will be directing George de Jesus’ D’ Emperor — a Filipino adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Emperor and His New Clothes. “I feel such an adrenaline rush whenever I’m working in theater. I love working with young talents. I was like the young student members of Teatro Tomasino and a lot of people helped and supported me to reach my dreams. It’s time for me to do the same. I may not get paid for this project but the fulfillment it will give me is priceless.”