The Real Score

John Lloyd & Bea - the Real Score

S Magazine, June 2004

If there's one strong selling factor that a loveteam ought to have, it's chemistry. When two stars don't have it, it's more likely that they won't make it. Chemistry on screen is essential to stir the curiousity or tickle the fancy of the viewers. It's something that can't be forced or developed on the concerned artists. Chemistry flows naturally, weaving magic on the silver screen, connecting the reel to the real. Because the stars complement each other very well, fans create an illusion that what's actually happening is an extension of their characters on screen.

Bankable Loveteam

In the history of local cinema, many well-loved screen tandem did extend their cinematic romance in real life. Worth mentioning are Pancho Magalona-Tita Duran, Romeo Vasquez-Amalia Fuentes, Fenando Poe Jr.-Susan Roces, Tirso Cruz III-Nora Aunor, Edgar Mortiz-vilma Santos, Albert Martinez-Snooky Serna, William Martinez-Maricel Soriano, Gabby Concepction-Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera-Pops Fernandez, and the late Rico Yan-Claudine Barretto.

At present there's one loveteam whose popularity dominates the scene. Whether it's the boobtube or the movies, John Lloyd Cruz & Bea Alonzo are a hit among the viewers. Perfectly complementing each other, their team-up is one of mother studio ABS-CBN's most bankable. They're launching vehicle titled Because of You is about to be shown.

But it's a fact that success wasn't given to them in a silver platter. John lloyd has already made a name for himself way before Bea. Originally part of the Koolits (w/ Marc Solis & Baron Geisler), the handsome hearththrob got identified first with Kaye Abad. Their teen drama Tabing-Ilog (where John Lloyd clinched his maiden acting trophy) was a consistent toprater for five years.

Meanwhile, Bea was a member of Star Circle Batch 10 and wasn't quite successful when her first major TV program, K2BU, was short-lived.

However, when ABS-CBN gambled on the freshness of their screen partnership through the grand soap Kay Taga Kang Hinintay, gradually they developed a huge following which didn't escape the eyes of ABS honchos.

After the show ended, the two were given their own soap to headline: It Might Be You which is a certified toprater. As Lawrence and Cielo, they light up the screen daily like florid storm. Their twinbiller, My First Romance (together with John Prats & Heart Evangelista) shown during the last quarter of 2003, was a modest hit and became Bea's showcase to win the Most Promising New Actress trophy in the recent Star Awards for Movies. Obviously, they're lucky for each other. What can they say about their present success as a loveteam?

Avers Bea, "Siyempre, happy. Hindi naman lahat ng young stars nabibigyan ng breaks na katulad namin ni John Lloyd ngayon. It's just flattering. Considering that at first, hindi ganu'n kaganda 'yung reception ng fans. kaya naman iniingatan namin ito."

"That's true," adds John Lloyd. "We're very much aware that this is not forever. Hindi namin alam kung hanggang kailan kami susuportahan ng fans. This is the reason why as much as possible, we want to give them A-1 entertainment. Utang namin sa kanila ang success namin."

"Hangga't may mga taong naniniwala sa tandem namin, gagawin namin ang best namin para mas magustuhan nila kami. Ipapakita namin na hindi lang kami concerned sa popularity kundi sa pagpapabuti rin ng craft namin. Personally, gusto kong makagawa ng mas challenging roles especially after kong manalo ng award," stresses Bea.

What do you think is the secret formula of their current fame?

"Siguro, it's the rawness of our team-up. Wala kasing conscious effort sa part namin para lumabas na sweet kami sa public. Hindi kami gumagawa ng gimik para bumenta ang loveteam namin. Sa amin, what you see is what you get. Ginagawa lang namin ang trabaho namin. Blessed lang siguro kami with good chemistry from the looks, acting, timing, etc. Siguro 'yun ang dahilan kung bakit kami nagki-click," observes John Lloyd.

True Romance

Many opined that they'll make a gorgeous pair off-screen. Are there really chances of true romance between them specially since the 20-year-old matinee idol has just recovered from a failed relationship with Ciara Sotto?

"Actually, inaamin ko na mas kumportable kami ngayon kase nu'ng una. We don't feel awkward na. Wala nang ilangan masyado," says the beautiful lass.

For John Lloyd:

"Bea's a pretty and nice gal. Huwang muna nating pangunahan. Naniniwala kasi ako na para maging successful talaga ang isang loveteam, there shouldn't be string attached. Mas healthier kung 'yung relationship n'yo nagbu-border lang sa professional level. Ayokong paghaluin 'yung lovelife sa career. As of now, ang focus ko talaga ay 'yung career ko. Isa pa, you'll be able to keep the mystery and keep people guessing if you're on or not. Kapag gano'n, intact pa rin ang interest ng fans. Pero hindi ko naman sinasara ang pinto, who knows?"

"Tama siya. Bata pa naman kami, eh. We still have a long way to go," seconds Bea.
What are John Lloyd's traits that appeal to Bea the most?

"Actually, talagang boyfriend material si John Lloyd. He's sweet & responsible. I like the way he treats his family and values his privacy. Kung gusto mo siyang patawanin, drop your showbiz side. He's truly a nice person, down-to-earth. Mapapakain mo nga 'yan ng tawilis, tuyo at fried rice. Walang reklamo," she says.

He's 20 and Bea's 16. Is he the one adjusting to her or vice versa specially that he's known for being serious?

"Pareho," quips John Lloyd. "Kahit na matured ako in my way of thinking. I still have my funny side naman. 'Pag kulitan, kulitan talaga. Sinasakyan niya madalas ang mga joke ko. Ganu'n din ako."

Trekking the road to junior superstardom, John Lloyd and Bea wish to entertain the fans for a long period of time.

"Thankful kami na kahit hindi kami talagang mag-on, sinusuportahan pa rin kami ng publiko. OUr screen chemistry is great and we'd like to use it to full advantage. Only time will tell kung magiging kami eventually. But as of now, kumportable kami sa present state namin. Sana lang, susuportahan nila kami hanggang sa dulo," the two optimistically sums up.