Given John Lloyd Cruz’s break with showbiz and romantic entanglement with Ellen Adarna, director Lav Diaz didn’t expect the actor to accept the role of a reclusive ventriloquist in his latest film, “Historia ni Ha.”
“Historia ni Ha (Story of Ha)” is John Lloyd Cruz’s third film under internationally renowned director Lav Diaz, but he got to finish it first before another offer was done only far and between.
The other three movies are “Hele sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery),” “Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman who Left)” and “Servando Magdamag,” the last one already in post-production.
All these actor-director collaborations are all originally offered to John Lloyd, but in “Historia ni Ha” it is a different case.
First, it was a period when Cruz’s entertainment career was at a crossroads as he had many film, television and product and service endorsements knocking at his door – but he was at the same time entering a new chapter in his romantic entanglement.
Second, it was the time Lloydie finally chose to leave show business, his acting on TV’s “Home Sweetie Home,” particularly, with girlfriend Ellen Adarna who was also part of the sitcom.
Third, John Lloyd and Ellen went into hiding but once in a while would post photos and texts of their rendezvous until it was rumored that Adarna was in an interesting stage, she had time and again denied it, until she later revealed by herself she was a mother to Elias.
Fourth, due to reported incompatibilities, Cruz and Ellen called it quits and the actor later resurfaced with long hair, mustache and beard which many critics found unbecoming of a matinee idol.
It was at this point that Lav offered Lloydie the role of Hernando Alamada, a reclusive ventriloquist in 1957 who used to work in cruise ships as an entertainer.
It was just Ha, the doll, doing the talking for him which he saw as an advantage and a valid excuse to be quiet.
Considering the circumstances, Diaz doubted his former actor would accept the offer.
“Heto, gusto ko lang i-share, nag-uusap lang kayo ni Lav, hindi sigurado si Lav kung tatanggapin mo ‘yong role (Lav was not sure he would accept the role so we just let him decide),” recalled Hazel Orencio, one of John Lloyd’s co-stars in the film during an online interview she conducted with some of the members of the cast.
Lloydie didn’t make it hard for Diaz to convince him.
“A, yey, tinanggap niya, (Oh! Yey, he accepted it),” announced Hazel.
“Historia ni Ha” is in the official selection to the 65th British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival slated on October 12, 2021 in time for its premiere showing.
Tags: #showbiz, #films, #LavDiaz, #JohnLloydCruz, #HistorianiHa