When the chance to portray DJ Loonyo on “Magpakailanman” was offered to Jak Roberto, he balked for one reason: He’s not a dancer.
"Nagtaka po ako kung bakit ako. Sabi ko hindi naman po ako masyadong sumsayaw kagaya ni DJ Loonyo,” the actor said in an interview attended by Bulletin Entertainment.
That’s a valid point. Although there’s a “DJ” before the “Loonyo,” he zoomed to renown as dancer and choreographer at the start of the pandemic when many people were home watching videos online, safe to say including his.
Still, what Jak said wasn’t entirely true.
“Sabi nila, 'O, pa-humble ka pa. Nakikita namin sa mga TikTok mo sumasayaw ka naman,'” he said. “'Di nila alam na mga 100 takes lahat 'yun bawat isa bago ma-post!”
Upon accepting the role, Jak buckled down to work. He turned to the internet to research on his subject.
"Pinanood ko lang lahat ng vlogs niya saka 'yung mga interviews niya,” he said. “‘Yung kung paano siya magturo ng sayaw saka 'yung paano siya maglakad. Sabi ko ang ie-effort ko na lang 'yung boses kasi doon kami hindi magkaparehas, saka sa sayaw."
DJ Loonyo, or Rhemuel Lunio, was born and raised in Cagayan De Oro. He started dancing jazz in high school, but eventually grew to love the urban dance style of hip-hop. He also trained under some of the country’s dance champions like Philippine Allstars and Rockstars.
DJ Loonyo formed his own dance group called ‘Rock*Well’. Their dance challenge videos became viral online and it wasn’t long before they gained popularity on social media.
"Bilib ako sa pagiging determinado niya sa lahat ng bagay. 'Yung pagiging driven and kung paano din niya hinarap lahat ng pagsubok sa buhay niya,” Jak lauded.
Aside from his dancing skills, Jak believes it is Loonyo’s positive and go-getter disposition that brought him to where he is now.
"'Yung personality niya is very positive sa lahat ng bagay,” the actor said.
“Bilib ako sa pagiging determinado niya sa lahat ng bagay, yung pagiging driven niya, at kung paano niya hinarap ang lahat ng pagsubok. Alam naman natin na ang pagiging dancer sa umpisa, hindi talaga ganun kalaki yung kita hanggang sa nakarating siya sa China, naging kilala siya sa pagsasayaw sa Facebook at TikTok at pag-choreograph ng mga sayaw. Dapat matutunan ng mga tao sa istorya niya na sana huwag tayo agad manghusga ng kapwa. Hindi kasi natin alam kung ano yung pinagdaraanan ng bawat isa sa atin.”
Of course, the cast and crew of “Magpakailanman” were careful in shooting the episode. Jak said that as extra precautionary measure, he would stay inside his car between takes, instead of his tent. The actor stressed they all followed to a T, the health protocols set by the authorities for shooting in the new normal.
Also in the cast of Jak’s episode are Lovely Rivero, Jong Cuenco, at Liezel Lopez. It airs July 18, 8 p.m. on GMA-7.
“I felt very honored to have my story featured in their show because through this opportunity and blessing, I can be able to share more to the people and really connect with them. It is a true privilege for me to show them what I’ve been through, the struggles, the wins, the losses, the process, and the faith I had with me,” Loonyo was quoted to have said of the feature.