Sid Lucero: Mr. Independent

It’s a good thing Sid Lucero got himself a manager, because if not, he’d probably be acting for free. There’s a thin line between profession and passion, the latter being the single most important force that drives Sid to do what he does. His riveting performances have earned him multiple accolades here and abroad — the most recent is a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role in Rosario and a Best Actor win for indie flick Muli where Sid had to lock lips and do intimate scenes with actor Cogie Domingo, proof that Sid won’t back down from any role and a shining example of commitment to his craft.

His work on the small screen is just as impressive, even earning him a Best Actor nomination at the 2010 International Emmy Awards held in New York for his role in the soap Dahil May Isang Ikaw. Sid says of his New York experience, “When I went there, it was like I made our country proud. I realized that what we have here could actually compete with what all the other countries have to offer. A nomination is a nomination. I went there not as myself, I went there as a Pinoy, carrying our flag, to represent our country.”

Known for his intensity and range, Sid has pretty much conquered the indie scene. Which leads us to ask — what’s next? With a new TV commercial and a game-changing jump to a different network, Sid is definitely on to bigger things.

YOUNG STAR: After your international Emmy nomination, ever thought of going, well, international?

Silverscreen rebel: Sid is fearless when it comes to his roles, including an award winning performance of a gay man in “Muli.” (Tank top, Calvin Klein. Pants, Topman. Boots, stylist’s own. Wayfarers, Ray-Ban)

SID LUCERO: Not exactly. Actually, when I started, my manager asked me, “What do you to become in the industry?” I told him, I don’t want to be a superstar I just want to be an actor. And it happened. And recently, there’s been an influx of collaboration in cinemas between countries, which makes me want to broaden my dreams. It’s not about going international — it’s more of collaborating and sharing our experiences to a wider audience.

Was it ever a challenge coming from a well-known clan?

Always a challenge. I can’t help but be compared to them especially my dad (Mark Gil), because I look a lot like him. I’d get comments, “Ang galing ng tatay mo, nakatrabaho ko na yun dati.” Stuff like that. But at the end of the day, I’d like to think that I work better because of it. It has helped me become a better actor every day and in every project that I do. Plus, I was able to learn a lot from our clan.

We know you’re fearless when it comes to your roles. What’s the most difficult scene you’ve ever had to do?

Love scenes with guys. Actually you know what, it’s got to be love scenes with girls. Because when it’s a love scene with a girl, you don’t know if you’ve crossed the line for her already. I’m a passionate actor; I like to make it seem real. But, of course, I respect women. It’s my job also to be careful. Actually, the scenes I’ve been doing get harder every day. I guess it’s because I pressure myself to do better, to become a better actor.

What won’t you do for a role?

A nude frontal.

If you could only choose one, which would you pick: a potential award-winning indie movie or a potential blockbuster mainstream hit?

Now, I’d like to try a mainstream movie. I’d want to crossover between doing independent films to doing mainstream movies. It’s worth a try.

SSuited up: Sid gets polished for his first style shoot exclusively for Young Star! (Polo shirt, Springfield. Pants, Zara. Blazer, Topman)

If you could invite five people, dead or alive, to a dinner, who would be invited?

Gary Oldman, James Dean, Dave Grohl, Michel Gondry and my great-grandfather from my dad’s side.

What’s your drink of choice?

Jack Daniel’s.

What’s one thing a girl can do on a date that will make you head towards the exit?

That’s hard because I’m always patient enough to run through the whole thing and not judge just because of something she just did. I really don’t know what can throw me back, because I have an open mind. But if there’s one thing, it would be if the girl I invited tagged along some of her girl friends and they talk in “girl code” in front of me like I don’t know what they’re talking about. I grew up with my momma. Of course, I have an idea about that.

What do you want to accomplish before 2012?

I would do one last indie film and I would gather all of my relatives and family and have a big party every day leading up to 2012.