While many actors are raring to appear in the top-rated ABS-CBN action adventure “Batang Quiapo” because of immense exposure, dependable movie, television and stage actor Juan Rodrigo begged off to be included in the stellar cast of the show.
“Actually, kinausap na ako ng staff tungkol sa paglabas sa ‘Batang Quiapo.’ Ipinaliwanag na sa akin ang papel na gagampanan ko. Nag-isip ako sandali pero binalikan ako. Pagbalik, nakapagdesisyon na ako, hindi ko tinanggap ang alok sa akin. Siyempre, kailangan ko ring isipin ang sarili kaya tumanggi ako (One of the staff talked to me about appearing in the show. The role was explained to me. I thought for a while and slept on it. When they talked to me again, I already decided, in due respect, not to accept the offer Of course, I also want to think for myself),” said Juan at the “Unmasked” concert of fellow actor Ernie Garcia in Taytay, Rizal recently.
It is the role that matters to Rodrigo. “Gaano man kaliit ang papel na gagampanan o ginagampanan mo, dapat sulit ‘yon sa paniniwala mo bilang alagad ng sining (No matter how small the role being or to be tackled, it should jibe with your conviction as an artist),” explained JR, Juan pet name.
It was also true in the case of Juan’s best friend Ernie.
“Inalok din ako sa ‘Batang Quiapo’ pero hindi ko nagustuhan ang papel na gagampanan ko. Matapat lang naman ako. Kailangan ko rin ng trabaho at exposure pero dapat ay swak sa paniniwala ko bilang artista (I was also offered to appear in the show but I didn’t like the role that I was supposed to do. I was just being honest. I needed the job and the exposure but I think it must also fit in my beliefs and philosophy as an artist),” recalled Garcia.
Juan might not be visible these days on television but he is mostly active in theater.
“Meron akong regular na stage play na umiikot sa mga eskuwelahan like De La Salle University in Cavite at iba pang paaralan. (I have a regular theater play that is going around campuses). I play Dr. Jose Rizal in one theater piece being produced and directed by Anne Villegas, an actress par excellence in the acting department.
Anne was able to convince Rodrigo to appear in her production and they are a team to beat these days.
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