John Lloyd Spills the Beans on Yuri

Dream Wedding (continuation)
StarStudio Magazine, June 2003
by: Tinz Fregilla

(Based on an interview with John Lloyd Cruz who plays Yuri in Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay.)

Were you able to find out that Katrina had a crush on you when she was still young?

No. Hindi ko nalaman na naging crush niya ako.

But when you saw her eight years after did Katrina revealed it to you?

Hindi rin. Hindi ko kasi alam na siya si Katrina Argos.

Since you didn't recognize her as Katrina, did you feel something special for her?

Yes, iba kasi siya. Siya 'yung naka-break noong mga lines ko na "ngayon lang ako ulit nakaramdam ng ganito." Na after eight long years, eto magmamahal na naman ako. Sa loob ng period na 'yun noong magmula namatay ang tatay ko naging player ako.

Was it not because of Heleana?

Hind e. Basta wala nang importansiya sa akin ang mga babae. Na ang perception ko sa mga babae na darating yan mawawala din.

Even with Katrina, you were just playing or you fell in love the first time you saw her?

Katrina Argos caught my attention. It was love at first sight. Kahit napahiya ko na siya sa harapan ng classmates niya kasi nag-debate kami noon about the amendment of the constitution sa lecture hall nila.

Pinahiya mo siya but you came to the University a couple of times just to see her?

Actually, hindi ko naman siya napahiya. I just proved my point that I am correct. Binalik-balikon ko siya kasi iba siya. Hindi siya katulad ng mga ordinaryong babae na nakikilala ko. She's a unique gal. It was the first time that I was turned down by a girl and that never happens. 'Yung talaga ang naka-attract sa akin. So I decided na balik-balikan siya.

It was love at first sight but you didn't know that she was Katrina Argos?

Bago ko nalaman ang totoo matagal din kaya pala sobra na lang ang pagtatago niya and with that I was already freely falling in love with her.

When the truth came out were you hurt or walang lang kasi player ka naman?

Matagal ko din bago nalaman ang totoo. So noong nalaman ko without her knowing e na-shock siya. Kaya pala madami siyang excuses everytime I would like to visit her at their house. Ako rin nga na-shock kasi 'yung minamahal ko ngayon ay sister ng ex-girlfriend ko. Nag-away talaga kaming dalawa.

In short nasaktan ka?

Yes, because that time I was ready, so ready for a new relationship. So kung kailan naramdaman ko ulit biglang mawawala na naman.

Describe Katrina 8 years ago?

Ang pangit niya. You won't mind her. Wala talaga kasi that time Heleana caught my attention.

You weren't interested with her even before?

Interesado naman akong makilala siya. I remember when I used to visit Heleana at their house, tumutugtog si Kat ng piano so naririnig ko. I was amazed with her talent in playing the piano. Sobra siyang mahiyain and aloof siya sa mga tao actually sa lahat kahit bisita. For sure kapag may bisita tumatakbo na 'yan sa roon niya.

Why did you mind her after 8 years?

Noong first time ko siyang nakita sa lecture hall. Pak! A totally different Katrina Argos. Wala nang braces and she was able to overcome her shyness may confidence na. Iba na talaga siya maybe because of all the trials that came her way na rin and from our debate she stood by her argument. Possibly one of the factors that changed her was me. Actually, kilala niya na ako si Yuri na hate na hate niya tapos tumatak pa sa isip niya na sinaktan ko 'yung ate niya, di ba? Pero inspite of that minahal pa rin namin ang isa't isa.

So what's the most cherished moment with her?

When I asked her to join me at our outing. Wala talaga kaming problema dun at hindi kami nag-iiyakan. 'Yung bang free kaming gawin lahat na hindi kelangang magtago. But it was the moment na naiyak siay and she was telling me that she loves me tapos sabi ko bakit lagi kang umiiyak kapag sinasabi mong mahal mo ko nakakalungkot ba akong mahalin? 'Yung pagsama niya sa outing only means one thing na handa na niyang tanggapin na maging kami.

How far would you go for Katrina?

All the way. Handa akong ipaglaban ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya.