In a rare instance, actor John Lloyd Cruz has granted an interview with TV host Boy Abunda. And this time he talked about the reason why he opted to stay away from the limelight the past three years.
“Huminto man ako ng matagal pero hindi rin naman ako tumitigil ng paggawa kahit panaka-naka. Binibigyan rin naman ako ng magagawa ng mga kaibigan ko,” John Lloyd said in that effect, noting that those times that he's not behind the camera were also "enriching."
The 37-year-old star believes withdrawing from being an actor was something he needed to do.
“Kailangang huminto at magnilay-nilay. Parang kailangan ng medyo dumistansya… Parang gusto mong maging… (para) malagyan mo ulit kailangan mo munang ubusin," was how he put it.
Asked if it was burned out because he had too much and mentally got tired of the setup, John Lloyd shook his head.
"Parang hindi naman siya istoryang napagod. Siguro at one point you realize na sobrang ikli pala ng buhay so gusto mo lang, somehow, mabigyan kahit papaano ng halaga at atensyon 'yung mga bagay na hindi mo pwede ikaila, hindi mo siya ma-deny. Kailangan mo siyang gawin, otherwise ayaw mong tumanda na nagtataka kung paano kung sinubukan mo," he explained.
"Parang nabigyan ka ng opportunity to experience knowledge or wisdom, parang reversible na siya. Parang andu'n na siya. 'Pag alam mong ito 'yung dapat mong gawing tama, parang lolokohin mo na lang sarili mo kung ide-deny mo ang sarili mo na magawa 'yung gusto mo," he added.
Then he went on that his decision, which was a product of what had happened to him for the past five years, was something that was hard to articulate.
"Tingin ko marami pa ring sinsabi 'yung mga lumilipas na sandali ngayon. Mas masarap kung mag masid na lang, makinig, at 'wag na lang magsalita pa."
John Lloyd also talked about how consuming the demand for his work was asking for.
"Nakakaubos 'yung dine-demand ng trabaho at bilang creator gusto mo laging makapagbigay ng something worth their time. Kung ubos ka, mahirap ma-deliver 'yun. Walang bagong laman ang utak mo," he expounded.
John Lloyd noted how he loves to get offers that make him nervous. "Iba 'pag you encounters work na mabo-bobo ka."
Meanwhile, asked about the state of his mind right now, and if he's happy, John Llloyd couldn't agree more.
"Wala na yatang mas liligaya pa 'pag meron kang maliit na anak, two years old, na ang kulit," he excitedly shared, seemingly referring to his son Elias with former flame, actress Ellen Adarna.
"Lupit! May little savior," he added.
Watch the full interview here: