John Lloyd Cruz returns to showbiz, moves over to GMA network; Bea Alonzo next?
JOHN LLOYD CRUZ with director Edgar Mortiz and TV host Willie Revillame at Willie's Puerto Galera resort
John Lloyd Cruz returns to showbiz, moves over to GMA network; Bea Alonzo next?
Yes, Virginia, actor John Lloyd Cruz will be back soon on television and the big screen.
But instead of ABS-CBN, John Lloyd will have a project with the rival GMA Network.
This as GMA executive Annette Gozon-Valdes confirmed the report of pep.ph in a recent interview with Philippine Star’s Nathalie Tomada that she has spoken to John Lloyd about his upcoming project with Kapuso.
“I believe that this is the right time for John Lloyd Cruz to be a Kapuso,” Gozon-Valdez said.
John Lloyd, who was in hiatus since 2017, will first appear on GMA 7 during Willie Revillame’s special program at the Araneta Coliseum on June 6.
It was learned that there is already a sitcom in the works on GMA 7 with Willie as blocktime producer and Andrea Torres reportedly as John Lloyd’s partner, according to Willie.
Reports indicated that a film with the GMA Films was also being discussed and that John Lloyd’s frequent partner Bea Alonzo maybe in it.
Gozon-Valdes admitted there is an ongoing talks with Bea.
“Well, may talks kami with her. Let’s see kasi di ba we have a movie with her to be co-produced with Viva and APT, siya at si Alden Richards. And alam ko rin, Bea has no contractual obligations also anymore with any network. So, we would also love to welcome Bea in the Kapuso network,” she said.
Bea and Kapuso star Alden will topbill the Philippine adaptation of the hit South Korean movie A Moment to Remember.
Gozon-Valdes is GMA Network’s board director, programming consultant to the chairman/CEO, and GMA Films president.
Gozon-Valdes added that she made sure the actor does not have contractual obligations with his former mother network, ABS-CBN.
“First of all, GMA has always wanted to have John Lloyd be with the Kapuso network also. And ngayon kasi, we just had to check if he really has no more contractual obligations with any other network,” she said.
“I was the one who talked to John Lloyd and he assured us that, na wala na daw talaga siyang contractual obligations. So wala ng hadlang, wala ng obstacle in the way for him to appear on GMA,” she added.
The obstacle that Gozon-Valdes mentioned was the rumor from 20 years ago, when John Lloyd was supposed to transfer to GMA-7, but a “legal obstacle” got in the way.
He remained in ABS-CBN at that time as he was offered the lead role in the prime-time series “Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay.”
“Kasi nangyari na iyan before. He was supposed to transfer almost 20 years ago, kaya lang nagkaroon ng legal obstacle,” Gozon-Valdez said.
“He assured us na wala na talaga. So, sabi ko nga, finally, iyon na, baka ito na iyong time na sa GMA ka na,” she said.
On GMA-7’s offer for an exclusive contract to John Lloyd, Gozon-Valdes replied, “Let’s see. Siyempre, after so long na ABS siya and Kapamilya siya, now he’s going to appear on GMA, I think he’s also taking things slow.”
“Iyong hindi naman biglaan. But we want to make him feel very welcome with us and comfortable enough to consider that in the future,” she said.
GMA chairman and CEO Felipe Gozon, was reported to be vocal about wanting to have John Lloyd in the stable of Kapuso artists.
“Gusto niya talaga. He’s very vocal to everyone in the network na we’re interested in John Lloyd and dati naman noong mga 20 years ago, gusto na niya, e, and so ngayon, gusto pa rin niya,” she said.
According to Gozon-Valdes, John Lloyd “wants to choose his projects” with the network.
On the sitcom, the GMA executive said: “I know that they’re brainstorming and super excited na sila so baka maging totoo na iyon.
“Gusto nila na it will be a heartwarming family sitcom with good values. Something like iyong feel ng “John En Marsha,” kasama si Willie and John Lloyd in the sitcom.”
Gozon-Valdes disclosed the possibility of John Lloyd doing a movie with GMA Films, the mother company of GMA Network’s film subsidiary, GMA Pictures.
To recall, John Lloyd had his first and last appearance on GMA-7 in an episode of “Kakabakaba,” which aired in 2000.
It was a guest appearance as John Lloyd, at that time, was headlining ABS-CBN’s youth-oriented weekly show, “Tabing Ilog.”
John Lloyd took a break from showbiz in 2017, leaving his ABS-CBN sitcom “Home Sweetie Home.”
John Lloyd recently made a showbiz comeback under Maja Salvador’s talent management agency, Crown Artist Management. (Jeanne Michael Penaranda with GMA News)
