Jon Lucas reflects on first award after over a decade in acting

MANILA, Philippines — Starring in the GMA full action series “Black Rider” is a manna from showbiz heaven for Jon Lucas. Prior to it, the actor considered the possibility of taking a break from the spotlight because work tends to be few and far between.

“It was sometime in March or April (of last year), I told myself perhaps that at the beginning of halfway through the year, I wouldn’t accept (projects) and (I would) think of other means of earning a living,” said Jon in a two-publication virtual interview. He plays Calvin Magallanes, the villain to Ruru Madrid’s Elias Guerrero, in “Black Rider” weeknights at 8 on GMA Prime. “I have my own family, and I provide for them.”

According to Jon, his plan was to partner with a friend and start a buy-and-sell car business. However, fate had other plans for him since “Black Rider” came along.

“I realized may magandang resulta pa rin talaga yung paghihintay, yung pagtitiis, parang yung pagtitiyaga mo sa bagay na gusto mo (I realized that waiting, patience and perseverance to continue on with what you want to do yield good results),” said he. “Kapag di ka pala nag-quit, talagang may ibubuhos din sa’yo na biyaya kasi nakikita naman Niya kung ano yung nangyayari sa utak mo, sa puso mo (if you decide not to quit, you will receive a blessing because He sees what goes on your mind and what your heart desires)… kaya hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin (that’s why I’m still here and doing acting).”

Another blessing for Jon came in the form of the TV Supporting Actor of the Year trophy from the fifth VP Choice Awards.

“After 11 years of acting, it’s my first-ever award,” shared Jon. “Kaya walang kasing saya at walang pagsidlan ng kaligayahan ang aking puso (that’s why my heart is only filled with happiness). Of course, I offer it to my children, my wife and those people who make up ‘Black Rider.’ They’ve helped me to portray (my role) and to become a supporting actor. I also offer it to GMA Public Affairs (that was behind the conceptualization and production of ‘Black Rider’).”

He also dedicated the award to his late parents. The trophy symbolizes the fulfillment of his promise to them of one day receiving such recognition.

“Itong award na ito, ipinangako natin ito sa mga magulang natin nung nabubuhay pa sila (the award was something I promised to my parents when they were still around). That’s why after I received the award, and when I reached home, I cried alone,” recalled he. “I was recreating the moment in my mind that while I was accepting the award, they were present, perhaps sitting at one of those tables and applauding. Ang kaso, eh hindi naman natin hawak ang buhay natin kaya hindi na lang nila na hintay, hindi na nila nakita.”

As part of “Black Rider”’s ensemble cast, Jon reports on set Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. This somehow allows him to recharge and pursue acting for film.

At the time of the interview, he shared that he was doing a movie titled “Neophyte.”

“It’s like an educational film, and the target audiences are university and high school students,” said Jon. “It’s a story about fraternities and students. I don’t know when it will be shown, hopefully, this year.”

As for the projects and roles he wants to foray into in the future, Jon had this to say: “I’m a fan of true-to-life stories, action and drama. For example, when I was young and I was not yet doing showbiz, during Metro Manila Film Festival, before I watched comedy and horror movies, I would choose to watch first true-to-life stories such as “(Manila Kingpin: The) Asiong Salonga (Story)” of sir E.R. Ejercito, and ‘El Presidente.’”

“I want to portray (real-life characters) and (be part of a film that delves into) Philippine history. Yun ang mga dream projects ko pa po,” added he.

As for his showbiz journey, Jon is simply glad and grateful.

“Masasabi ko rin na masayang masaya ako sa nagiging takbo ng karera natin (I can say that I’m also very happy with the way my career is going),” said he. “Grateful na po ako sa mga bagay na meron ako ngayon (I feel grateful for what I have now). Napakaraming aspirants at tao na gustong masubukan itong ginagawa natin (there are lots of showbiz aspirants and people who want to give acting a try).”

Following his line of thought, one could glean that Jon is in a career phase in which he has to further prove his mettle in acting, and he is in for the long haul.

Starring in the GMA full-action series "Black Rider" is like manna from showbiz heaven for Jon Lucas. Prior to it, the actor considered the possibility of taking a break from the spotlight because work tends to be few and far between.