Multi-awarded actor John Lloyd Cruz considers his 10-year-long love team with highly-acclaimed actress Bea Alonzo as a big fortune and blessing.

John Lloyd and Bea’s 10th anniversary celebration was turned into a major cinematic milestone as Star Cinema casted them in its latest mature film titled, “The Mistress.” Under the direction of Olivia Lamasan, “The Mistress” will be released on cinemas nationwide on September 12 (Wednesday).

“This is one big and beautiful celebration for us. It’s like me and Bea—I am big, she’s beautiful,” John Lloyd jokingly said. “Hindi namin isi-celebrate ang 10 years namin as a love team nang bitin. Because we’re celebrating with ‘The Mistress’ na isang maganda at espesyal na pelikula na hangad naming maging special din sa mga manonood. Talagang hindi na lang siguro ito para sa aming dalawa ni Bea kundi para sa lahat ng mga sumusubaybay, tumatangkilik, at nagmamahal sa amin for the last 10 years.”

According to John Lloyd, through “The Mistress,” he realized how far their love team has journeyed through the years.

Since their first team-up in the critically acclaimed and top-rating ABS-CBN teleserye in 2002, “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay,” John Lloyd and Bea have won the hearts of the Filipino viewers proven by a string of remarkable TV and film projects over the past decade. “Hindi puwedeng sabihin na ‘yung nakaraang sampung taon namin ay naging madali. Kung titingnan mo, parang loveteam lang ‘yan–pasweet-sweet, pakanta-kanta, pasayaw-sayaw sa ASAP. But para sa amin ni Bea, ang lalim non,” he said. “For the past 10 years, itong ka-love team ko ‘yung ka share ko sa acting space ko, kahati ko sa mga eksena ko, at pinaghuhugutan ko rin ng emosyon.”

John Lloyd further shared how grateful he is for Bea’s huge contribution to whatever accomplishment he has achieved. “Kung tatanungin ako kung gaano ka-instrumental si Bea sa aking naging career as an actor, malaking part siya ng success ko, ng identity ko, at ng kung sino ako ngayon as an actor,” he said.

The actor also imparted that staying true is another key factor that made their love team a hit. “Since day one, there was never an intention to disillusion the audience. So it was always sincere and direct. It was never put on. Kaya siguro nagreflect din ‘yung sincerity na ‘yun sa trabaho namin,” said John Lloyd. “I really consider our love team a special gift. Sa sobrang parang hinulma na ‘yung chemistry namin, narealize kong may mga eksena na magagawa ko lang kapag si Bea ang kasama ko.”

And when asked why their long-time onscreen partnership did not blossom into a real romantic relationship, the talented actor simply uttered a straight-forward reply. “It just didn’t happen,” he stated. “Alam naman natin ang nangyayari sa mga loveteam na pagka-tinotoo at nagkakaroon ng problema. Kaya masuwerte kami na naingatan namin ni Bea through the years ‘yung aming partnership.”

With their special reunion movie, John Lloyd confessed how amazed he was with Bea’s maturityas an actress while they were doing their first-ever mature film. “Napaka-exceptional nung journey ni Bea kung paano siya nagmature as an actress. Ang bilis niyang mag-process ng emotions ngayon. Kaya kailangan mong habulin. Ang galing niya, parang lagi siyang ‘in the zone,” he said. “Para sa akin ang ‘The Mistress’ is a very complex and a very mature love story na magde-define ng pagtapak ni Bea sa bago, matapang, at panibagong tema ng pelikula. Masasabi kong simula pa lamang ang movie na ito ng mas interesting film projects pang darating para sa amin.”

Aside from their working again with Bea, “The Mistress” became more meaningfulfor him because of his fearless role in the film, JD Toress who fell in love with a mysterious woman named Sari Alfonso (Bea) who will put his strength and strong will to great test.

“Napakapersonal at napaka-special nang pinagdaanan ko habang ginagawa ang pelikulang ito. It’s been a great ride for me not of being JD but trying to be JD. Kung tatanungin ako kung paano ako nakakarelate kay JD, I guess we are worlds apart,” John Lloyd explained. “Malayong-malayo siya from me. He’s too bold and aggresive. But JD definitely made an impact on me as a person; on how to deal with your life and how to deal with your ups and downs. Hopefully just like JD, makita ko ‘yung challenges as opportunities to deliver something good.”

On the issues of infidelity and of being a ‘mistress,’ John Lloyd believes that is truly complicated to be involved in such a complex situation. “Pasalamat ka kung bed affair lang kasi it’s much easier to escape, pero mahirap kapag may love na. And when the feeling is too strong, parang imposible nang labanan. Kasi kapag nagmamahal ka wala ka nang pakialam kahit hinuhusgahan ka na ng buong mundo,” he said. “Ako kasi, I’m a strong believer na ‘you don’t get to choose love, it chooses you, so ang hirap talaga kapag tinamaan ka.”

Aside from John Lloyd and Bea, also part of “The Mistress” are veteran actor Ronaldo Vadez, who will portray the role of Rico, Sari’s successful businessman benefactor; and multi-awarded actress Hilda Koronel who plays the character of Regina, Rico’s legal wife. Completing the cast are Anita Linda, Carmi Martin, Tony Mabesa, K Brosas, Gabe Mercado, Minnie Aguilar, Nor Domingo, and Clarence Delgado.

“The Mistress” hits cinemas nationwide on September 12, 2012.

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