Acclaimed and award-winning actor John Lloyd Cruz expressed pride in his latest film, "Moneyslapper," one of the featured selections at the QCinema International Film Festival, which will run until Nov. 17. 

John Lloyd's enthusiasm highlights not only his dedication to the craft of acting but also the significance of this festival in promoting diverse storytelling in the film industry.

In this movie, John Lloyd plays Daniel, who abandons his motherland after winning the biggest cash prize in the Philippine lottery. He stated that the film was submitted twice for the Metro Manila Film Festival but was not accepted.

"Ito yung unang script na nabasa ko after I left ABS-CBN. Hindi ko na nabitawan. Ang hirap hindi gawin. Pagbasa ko dire-direcho na," said John Lloyd, during an interview for the online radio show "Level Up" hosted by Noel Ferrer at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City recently.

On why he accepted the project, Lloydie said: "Minsan hindi lang naman sa material. Maraming ibang bagay. May mga external din na dahilan. I guess kung may bearing sa'yo alam mo na yun. Iba siya eh. Hindi siya generic. Maraming hindi a-agree sa movie na ito pero naniniwala kami sa sinasabi nito."

John Lloyd, 41, acknowledged that he did not consider his fans' perspectives on the project, but he stated that the material was different.

"Marami man hindi mauunawaan ito sa ngayon pero pagdating ng panahon, I think meron siyang halaga. Hindi ko naman sulat ito eh. Yung nagsulat nito siya ang naging instrumento para magtagpo-tagpo kami," he said.

Producer and author Noel Ferrer stated that "Moneyslapper" is John Lloyd's bravest project to date. And the actor agreed.

"Hindi mo na alam kung ano ang mainstream ngayon eh. When I saw 'Past Lives' for the first time, sabi ko 'pwedeng ganyan!' I'm just an actor standing in front of you," he said. "Pero kahit na seryoso ang mga ginagawa ko (na projects), I enjoy it."

On choosing projects, Lloydie explained: "Masama ba maging choosy? Kung walang dumarating na scripts from writers ako pa ba ang choosy? Marami ring elements hindi lang ako. Ako lang ba? Sana makita nila ang tunay na storya nito na pwede itong mangyari sa kanila."

Although he works on a few projects yearly, Lloydie believes he is still active in the entertainment industry.

"Priority ko ang learning. Priority ko yung experience na ibibigay ng ibang tao. Iba ang knowledge at learning na makukuha mo sa ibang tao. Ang dali ng buhay ngayon. Gusto ko lang talaga may mapupulot or matutunan sa mga ginagawa ko na tingin ko makakatulong sa akin at sa ibang tao.

"Nasa loob ako ngayon ng struggle. Ano pa ba ang hindi ko nagagawa? Hindi ko rin siya mako-consider na sideline. Hindi lang naman ako. Marami pa rin namang ibang dahilan. 

"Ang hirap gumawa ng pelikula kung hindi mo ito pinaniniwalaan. May nabasa akong script minsan at kinilig ako. Kaya nga lang may ibang elemento na dapat i-consider," John Lloyd said.

He also considers award-winning director Lav Diaz as a frequent collaborator for his film projects in recent years.

"Siya ang unang tumawag sa akin noong nawala ako sa ABS-CBN. Parang kumakatok sa'yo ang Harvard (University)," Lloydie recalled. "Hindi mahalaga sa akin kung ano ang kalalabasan sa acting ko sa kanya. Parang panaginip nga eh. Totoo ba ito? Chill lang sa kanya. Grabe si Direk Lav."

May lumalapit. Ang sabi ko, 'Okay ka lang?' Are you into drugs? Hindi ko naman sinasara. More than the director, ano ba yung kwento natin at ako ang nakita mo?

On being a director, John Lloyd said: "May lumalapit. Ang sabi ko, 'Okay ka lang?' Are you into drugs? Hindi ko naman sinasara. More than the director, ano ba yung kwento natin at ako ang nakita mo?

"May binitiwan kasi akong kwento na personal sa akin. Hindi raw nawala sa isip niya so nag-uusap na kami regularly," he said.

Having starred in several blockbuster romantic-comedy films, Lloydie said: "I can't wait to fall in love in the movies again."

Dreams and goals

John Lloyd describes his girlfriend, visual artist Isabel Santos, as a good listener.

On wedding bells with Isabel, John Lloyd said: "Naniniwala ako sa marriage pero naniniwala ako na hindi lang yun ang mahalaga. Okay naman na bigyan yun ng tamang attention pero may sariling tyempo ang lahat. Ayoko ko naman na i-corrupt (yung mind niya)."

John Lloyd also opened up about his dreams, goals, and wishes.

"Wala naman masyado na. Seriously, ayoko naman maglagay pa ng maraming expectations. May edad na rin ang mga parents ko. How I wish magawa pa nila yung gusto nila. Hirap na rin sila mag travel pero magkasama kami sa Christmas.

"On being a father, sana yung son ko alam niya at maramdaman niya na andito lang ako," the actor said.

John Lloyd has a son, Elias, with actress Ellen Adarna, who is now married to actor Derek Ramsay.

"Wala akong ma-rereklamo sa setup namin (ni Ellen). I really appreciate our setup. Magkaiba kami ng ways pero wala kaming problema," he said. "Ang swerte ko dahil maayos lahat."

He added: "Ang co-parenting kasi hindi lang siya limited sa totoong parents. Sino ba ang tumatayong parents na bata? And that's okay. At ang ganda ng relationship namin.

John Lloyd stated that Elias, 6, does not fully understand the concept of having a kid sister from a different family. Ellen just gave birth to a healthy baby girl last Oct. 23.

"Parang hindi na-handle ni Elias yung process. Noon akala ko resistant pa siya. Alam mo naman ang bata kung may ayaw pag-usapan. Tapos pag-uwi niya, binigyan niya ng painting na ginawa niya," the actor said.

Traffic in the city

John Lloyd slammed the traffic situation in the country which he believes strains the relationship of many families.

"Talagang pagsakay ko sa kotse, nakikinig talaga ako ng AM radio.

"Affected ako these days dahil walang hiya yung ibang tao.

"Parang sinanay na tayo sa traffic. Abuso na ito ah? Kaso wala tayong choice.

"Some people are lucky to have cars or Grab taxis. Pero paano naman yung mga nagko-commute several hours a day?

"Anong oras sila gumigising in the morning? Tapos magtataka yung ibang tao yung ibang pamilya bakit sira-sira. Eh hindi na kayo nagkikita eh.

"So napapagod ka rin at bumibigay ka rin. Kailangan talaga natin magtrabaho. That's the bottom line," John Lloyd added.