Actor JC De Vera admits to still feeling "jumpy" while acting despite his more than 20 years in the industry.

"Kinakabahan pa rin ako but I appreciate everyone na nakakapansin (sa talent ko). As I've said, student pa rin naman ako ng acting. Hanggang ngayon I'm still growing. I'm still learning. Hopefully mabigyan pa rin naman ako ng magagandang project kung saan mapapansin ang acting ko," said JC during the screening for his latest movie "Apo Hapon: A Love Story" under GK Productions Philippines recently.

(I'm still nervous but I appreciate everyone noticing (my talent). As I've said, I'm still a student of acting. Until now I'm still growing. I'm still learning. Hopefully, I'll still be given good projects where my acting will be noticed.)

JC also said he's grateful to work with award-winning director Joel Lamangan for the fifth time. They previously worked together in "Ako Legal Wife," "Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso?" "Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig," and "Babangon Ako at Dudurugin Kita. The actor mentioned that it's only sometimes one has the opportunity to work with a renowned film director like him.

"Kay Direk Joel, dapat ipakita namin sa kanya yung 100 percent namin all the time. Huwag kabahan. Alam ko mahirap gawin yung huwag kabahan pero kinakabahan pa rin naman kami. Pero okay naman yung eksena at nagawa namin a smooth," JC said.

(With Director Joel, we must show him our 100 percent all the time. Don't be nervous. I know it's hard to not be nervous but we're still nervous. But the scenes were okay and we did it smoothly.)

Asked about the difference working with Director Joel these days, JC said: "Mas gentle siya ngayon." (He's gentle now.)

To the question, if Direk Joel is still scolding him on the set, JC answered: "Wala na. Masasabi ko naman na aral ako kay Direk Joel. Yung mga na-experience ko sa kanya noon naibaon ko naman. Kaya yung shoot namin ngayon very relaxed kami lahat. Direk Joel was having fun during the shoot. Relax lang kami the whole time wala kaming naging problema."

(No more. I can say that I learned from Director Joel. That's why when we shot the film, we were all very relaxed. Director Joel was having fun during the shoot. We just relaxed the whole time, we didn't have any problems.)

In the movie, JC is paired with newcomer Japanese actress Sakura Akiyoshi. The actor mentioned that he provided advice or tips on acting to the new actress.

"Tinulungan ko sya na mag focus sa mga lines na dapat naming sabihin sa eksena. We were both patient na tulungan ang isa't isa dahil hindi talaga madali na magsalita para kay Sakura na magsalita ng Tagalog at talaga namang sinusubukan niya on her part.

(I helped her to focus on the lines that we should say in the scene. We were both patient to help each other because it is not really easy for Sakura to speak Tagalog and she is really trying on her part.)

"I think she did her part well. She's humble enough to learn everything. Mas tinulungan ko siya sa pagbigkas ng mga salita. I had fun working with her," JC also said.

(I think she did her part well. She's humble enough to learn everything. I helped her more in pronouncing the words. I had fun working with her.)

When JC started in showbiz, he found it difficult to deliver longer lines.

"Ganun din ako nagsisimula. Hirap na hirap din ako sa pagsabi ng mga mahahabang lines. Pina-pass on ko lang kung ano yung mga experience ko noong bago ako. Very grateful ako sa mga mentor ko, director ko noong bata ako. Marami silang tinuro sa akin so I think it's my turn naman para ibahagi kay Sakura dahil nag-uumpisa pa lang siya," he said.

(That's how I started. It's hard for me to say long lines. I just pass on what my experiences were when I was new. I'm very grateful to my mentors, my directors, when I was young. They have taught me a lot. I believe it's my turn now to share with Sakura what I have learned.)

JC mentioned that he doesn't feel pressured despite being the only big name in "Apo Hapon."

"Pressured but we're happy and proud sa materyal na nagawa namin. Kinakabahan yes dahil excited ako na mapanood nila yung ginawa namin but nakakataba lang ng puso na nakatrabaho ko yung mga ibang tao ngayon with all the new producers na pumapasok sa industriya ngayon at nagbibigay ng trabaho sa lahat," the 37-year-old actor said.

(Pressured but we're happy and proud of the material we've done. I'm nervous yes because I'm excited for them to watch what we've done but it's heartwarming that I've worked with other people today with all the new producers entering the industry today and providing employment to all.)