John Rendez

Everything's coming up roses for actor-musician John Rendez.

During an interview at Edward Dela Cuesta Photography Studio in Quezon City recently, John said that he's both busy with movies and music.

In music, John said he's set to release a brand new single he wrote called "Why Can't We Ever Get Along" under Star Music. Arranged by Jonathan Manalo, the R&B song is scheduled for a September release.

“Sure, sure, sure. I've seen something that happened in the dark past that I blocked out. But it comes to, you know, so many of us have that experience. It's hard to talk about things that didn't come from the heart, di ba? But I don't want to go into details," said John when asked about his latest song.

He added: “I try not to have any feelings, but sometimes it shows, I do have feelings.”

John also shared his unsolicited advice to aspiring singers.

"As a singer, sometimes we have to develop our own style. You can be plakado, you can be everything, but it won't have a spirit. But sometimes the people want to feel that kind of soul, the connection in the song. And that's what I try to do. I don't try to be a generic singer. So my voice is not perfect but I think it has soul, character," he added.

John, 52, is also doing a movie called "Tomacruz...Sa Puso Ng Isang Anak" under NA Film Productions. In the upcoming movie, John plays a hitman. Also joining the film are Snooky Serna, Bembol Roco, Irma Adlawan, Ian De Leon, Matet De Leon, Beverly Salviejo, Dexter Doria, and Kenneth de Leon.

“We were hoping that we could probably get it on Netflix or some platform. But the waiting line and the people trying to get in, so many. So we decided to release it na lang sa GMA. So they’ll probably be released by October," John also said.

John's manager is Superstar Nora Aunor.

Asked about the advice of his manager when it comes to acting, John answered: “Slow down, okay, and yung mga ano lang...mga mannerisms. Cinematic performance ang natutunan ko, hindi yung acting method. I don’t have to look good on the screen.”

John also talked about his co-stars in the movie, which Eric Tilos Joven will direct.

“They’re familiar faces. We worked along so well. It’s just like well-oiled machinery. Hindi na kailangan to worry about, ‘Can he carry that scene?’ Because they’re professional. Mabibigat na mga pangalan yan, di ba?” he added.

On Oct. 30, John will receive the World Class Excellence Japan (WCEJA) at the New Otan Hotel in Fukuoka, Japan.

When not busy, John said that he's into digital painting. “I’ve been drawing all my life. When I was a baby, I was drawing on the wall."

His themes include "pop art like superheroes, the macho, the gods, the dragons, all that stuff.”

“That’s what I do. Pag nakabuo ka ng ganyan, para kang tumama ng jackpot sa casino, yung feeling of endorphins na na-release," John said.

Nora Aunor

Of the three - acting, singing, and drawing - John enjoys drawing the most.

“I like to draw, but I’m not that good. I like to sing, and I’m alright. I like to act."

John also shared his other routine.

“My routine is I usually ride a bike everywhere. I usually bike past midnight, later pag walang traffic, para tuluy-tuloy rin na when I get home. It’s like past 6 in the morning. I sleep, wake up at 11, and do my thing until it’s time to bike again. My route is C5, Aurora to Marikina, from the Katipunan area, ikut-ikot ako diyan. I will go to Eastwood and return through Corinthians to C5 and Katipunan," he said.