Zanjoe: My priority is career

MANILA, Philippines – Barely three days after he confirmed to Boy Abunda on Boy’s Tonight show that he and Bea Alonzo, his girlfriend of almost five years, have broken up, Zanjoe Marudo kept mum at the presscon for his new Kapamilya show Tubig at Langis, presumably upon orders from management.

When Zanjoe confirmed his break-up with Bea in Tonight with Boy Abunda, without revealing further details on why they have parted ways, he sent the public wild guessing.

Soon after the open forum with his co-stars Isabelle Daza and Cristine Reyes, Zanjoe was whisked off by his handlers, leaving the movie press with more questions than answers.

He said that his priority is his career.

“Thanks to my career, I can help my family,” said Zanjoe who earlier told Boy that he planned to build a farmhouse.

In Tubig at Langis, directed by FM Reyes, Zanjoe tackles probably his most demanding drama role yet. “I have been doing rom-coms and I’m thankful to ABS-CBN Business Unit head direk Ruel Bayani for trusting me with this role.”

Inspired by the 1980 movie starring Vilma Santos, Amy Austria and Dindo Fernando and directed by the late Danny Zialcita (theme song sung by Sharon Cuneta), Tubig at Langis is a different kind of love story that tests the limits of marriage, challenges the strength of family and shows the true meaning of love. Zanjoe plays loving husband Natoy to Irene (Cristine) whose fidelity is put to a test when he meets barrio lass Clara (Isabelle).    

Asked if he draws inspiration from personal experience, Zanjoe replied, “That kind of attack doesn’t work for me. I go along with what the script requires. Doon ko hinuhugot sa script at hindi sa tunay na buhay.”

But he added that he could identify with Natoy when it comes to love.
Said Zanjoe, “When Natoy says he loves a woman, he would do anything for her. I’m like that. He’s faithful. Hindi siya natutukso o na-i-in love sa ibang babae.”

(Airing starting on Feb. 1 on ABS-CBN Kapamilya Gold, Tubig at Langis also stars Vivian Velez, Lito Pimentel, Nadia Montenegro, Marco Gumabao, Ingrid dela Paz, Dionne Monsanto, Archie Alemania, Victor Silayan and Miguel Vergara.)