John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo - It Might Be Them
People Asia, February 2004
Who would have thought that something so talked-about could start from well, almost nothing? When the think tanks over at ABS-CBN first considered pairing between JLC and Bea Alonzo, they never anticipated the incredible hype and hysteria over the couple.
Best known as the stars of the runaway success telenovela KTKH, John Lloyd and Bea saw their careers take a turn for the better after their first on-screen union, which “all started as a simple experiment.” Originally intended to team up with two other young stars, John Lloyd and Bea never imagined being asked to act side by side each other, especially as a love team. At first Bea admits, they had a lot going against them. Of course there was the clear issue of age difference. When they were first introduced to each other, John Lloyd was already 19 and Bea was only 15. Then there was the fact that John Lloyd was then in another relationship widely known to the public. They admitted that they would often think to themselves, “This would never work.”
But lo and behold, it did work and they have the ABS-CBN execs, their management and of course, their ever so loyal fans to thank for their resounding success. When asked about their first impressions of each other, they both answered that the other was “very quiet” which mutually had them thinking that the other was snobbish. This was actually very apparent even during the interview. Apparently, these two prefer to have time to themselves. But this didn’t stop them from enjoying their work together. John Lloyd said that what he admired most about Bea was her drive to succeed and excel in her craft and in the business. Being an actor for almost five years, John Lloyd acknowledged that there were times when the job became monotonous and seeing Bea’s fresh and vibrant approach to it certainly perked him up and urged him to do better. On the other hand, Bea found John Lloyd to be very professional. She told us that she was inspired by his preparedness on the set. “He would come to work on time and have his script perfectly memorized,” she recalls.
When asked about where their chemistry onscreen comes from, the two were genuinely clueless. Stressing that there were no pretensions or gimmicks to their love tandem, John Lloyd and Bea maintained that what the viewers see is what really is. As it turns out, there was never a need to build up the chemistry even before the camera started rolling. They rehearsed individually and memorized their lines in their own separate corners. But when it was time to come together for a take, the sparks would just fly. “It’s a mystery,” Bea admits. “I don’t know, it’s almost like … magic.” Well, it would have to be, since whenever the couple is seen, people just can’t help but get sentimental. And it just gets better and better. The fan base is increasing and more and more are convinced that they are the It couple thus far. Suprisingly, even with all the publicity and clamor from their admirers and supporters, John Lloyd says that there’s “no pressure”. He claims that separating their professional from personal lives has never been an issue and it has been smooth sailing ever since.
Bea’s idea of a perfect Valentine’s date is a candlelit dinner for two by the beach and under and stars while John Lloyd fantasizes of a romantic dinner for two on a big yacht and also under the moonlight.
It’s almost like a fairytale, how everything is unfolding for their careers – with another possible movie in the works and of course, their once again hit telenovela It Might Be You raking it in the ratings. Well, love may not be “in the air” for John Lloyd and Bea as of yet, but who knows? For now, these two will continue to relish the success they have found in each other’s company.