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Monday, September 5, 2016

Like or Dislike: JC Santos on the Cover of Inside Showbiz Weekly

Image courtesy of www.thepulse.ph

Source: www.thepulse.ph


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For JC Santos, landing a major role in the newest JaDine starrer can only mean he ain’t no third wheel.


JC Santos is the real deal. He has movie star looks, a killer body, charm in spades, and an acting resume that can impress any talent agent. And now, he has taken primetime TV by storm via his breakthrough role in the much-talked about soap Till I Met You, which stars the ultra-popular love team of James Reid and Nadine Lustre.


John Carlo Abrugar Santos goes by JC. It’s not only his nickname now, it’s become his screen name. “I am the only one in the whole clan na nakaisip na gusto kong mag-theater. I want acting as a career. Bata pa lang daw ako, kumakanta na ako kung saan-saan. Tapos, nag perform ako for some reason.”

The 27-year old actor from Pampanga comes from a small family. “Dalawa lang kami. I have a 22-year old sister who’s graduating as an architect. My dad is a seaman. My mom is an OFW based in Las Vegas. Laking OFW ako. My mom left when I was 15. Lumaki ako na seaman na ‘yung dad ko. Umuuwi siya every three months. Ganon ko sila nakasama.”


Being a natural storyteller, no doubt a skill brought about by his passion for the performing arts, JC shares how he got bitten by the acting bug. “Sa school ko siya nakuha and na-discover ko siya when I tried — this is so funny — Ah, pwede akong umarte when I tried pretending, lying. I lied tapos napaniwala ko sila. Of course, ‘di ko na siya tinuloy-tuloy pero syempre I discovered I was really good at pretending.”

While studying in his hometown in Angeles City, JC recounts, “I met Sir Tony Mabesa. He was the resident director at that time. I was doing plays like ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and the musical ‘The Fantastics.’ I asked Sir Tony after two productions if I could apply for the theater course in UP.”

JC would erupt in almost self-conscious chuckles mid-way through his story. “I was 16 years old. I did all of this through text. That was so unprofessional. I texted the founder of Dulaang UP that I wanted to do theater. He didn’t reply so I dismissed the idea. The next day, however, he handed me an envelope with a recommendation for UP Diliman.” This started the ball rolling for the aspiring actor.


His role as Ali in ‘Till I Met You’ sees him in a love triangle with Basti and Iris, which are played by James Reid and Nadine Lustre respectively. But what makes JC’s character even more controversial is the fact that it’s a gay role. The coming-of-age and coming-out-of-the-closet dimensions of JC’s character are no small challenge to the actor. Good thing JC earned his stripes in theater via acting stints in New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. “Nakatulong siya sa akin. As an actor, I realized that pareho lang ang acting ng Pilipinas at abroad. Meron lang silang guidelines. Meron silang instructions on how to do this role. ‘Yung stints ko abroad ang nag-prepare sa akin.”


Referring to his acting jobs at Universal Studios in Singapore and Disneyland in Hong Kong, JC remembers, “Working in a theme park, it’s really good money. It’s not a bad job. But doing it for 5 days a week. 3 to 4 times a day… there was this one time, 8 months into the job — it was a Thursday afternoon and I was singing. While singing, I was thinking of lunch. Shucks, paano ko nagagawa ‘to? Ibig sabihin nito, machine na ako. Okay, this is not healthy anymore.”

He would close this topic with a reflection that would be so telling of the path he took that led him right in the middle of a giant production from ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Productions. “I have this pattern. It still happens up to now. Every 2 years, I shift gears. I change destinations. Whether it’s a place or my career. But every 2 years. I was in Pampanga for 2 years, then 2 years in UP, 2 years in Singapore for Universal Studios, 2 years in HongKong for Disney. After that, the next year, I studied musical theater in New York. Then I went back here. I tried to break it. I told myself to break the pattern. So this is the next phase for me. This break.”


“I went back to the Philippines and decided I really want to be an actor, a full-time actor, a working actor. And I want to perform whether it’s theater or film or television. I want to perform for my fellow Filipinos.” We ask him how he got this major role in this primetime soap, and again JC weaves a story full of suspense. “One ordinary day, pinatawag ako sa ABS-CBN. Marami kami. In-open sa amin ‘yung character. They were open about it. They told us it was a gay role. Ito ‘yung mangyayari. Sa Greece. Kasama mo si James and Nadine. Nilapat sa amin ‘yung character.”


In his mind, JC had apprehensions about the role. “Actually, tinanggihan ko pa. Kinausap ko pa ‘yung manager ko. Kuya Andoy, it’s another gay role.” 

JC sought the advice of Andoy Ranay, the known actor and director who has taken the reins of his career now. JC says, “Pinag-isipan namin. Na-convince ako ni Direk Andoy to do it kasi bida naman ‘yung role and kung ano man, before that, laging ang mga roles ko sa ABS-CBN, laging nang-aaway ng bida. The usual maamong mukha but is the villain.”JC relates that at this point, “Gusto ko kahit awayin ko lang si James Reid, masaya na ako. Okay na ako dun. So I auditioned. I went to the set on the second day tapos I met Direk Antonette Jadaone, and then I saw the script. The lines were about a boy coming out of the closet. He’s trying to say to his best friend that he’s gay. So ako, ‘Hala, paano ito?’”

After his audition, JC shares, “I went home. Tuloy-tuloy ako sa aking araw. ’Di ko na siya iniisip.” This all changed when, “One night, I was watching Rak Of Aegis. Direk Andoy texted me. ‘Urgent. Labas ka ng teatro ngayon din. Tawagan kita.’ The next thing he knew, it was “JC, 9am pullout ka tomorrow. 9am call time mo tomorrow sa ABS-CBN for the teaser shoot of ‘Till I Met You.’ Ganun na. That was 10pm tapos 9am the following day, teaser shoot na. So, natanggap na ako? Ah, okay. Bida! With JaDine. Kaming tatlo.”


 His role in one of today’s most-anticipated soaps means working with one of the country’s biggest love teams and showbiz’s best directors. JC confesses, “Of course, there is pressure. I am working with award-winning directors like Direk Tonette Jadaone and Direk Dan Villegas. And I am working with JaDine. Naging successful na ‘yung show nila dati, eh. Ako ‘yung papasok. It’s make or break for me. Kung walang chemistry, patay. Pressure is there. This is work. I need to work — work extra hard.”


The serious actor in JC also comes out. He confesses he is pushing himself “para makapasok, para maka-level naman ako sa kanila. And, sanay sila sa television. Sanay sila sa screen. Andun pa ako sa acting with my body [in theater]. Dapat acting with your eyes. I am still learning. We are still getting to know each other. Ngayon, may extra pressure sa akin. Exciting din siya at the same time kasi I am really excited to work. I want to prove something to them kasi bago ako. They will ask, ‘what have I got to offer?’ I need to prove my worth, prove something.”

JC further admits, “It has been great. Sobra. Wala akong masasabi with Direk Tonette, with James and Nadine, with Andoy. What I love about Direk Tonette is the motivation side of it. Before we go to a scene, she’s going to talk to you. Naisapuso mo na yung script tapos ikikwento niya sa ’yo the other side na nakikita niya visually na makakatulong din sa character. And that’s amazing. That’s very collaborative. It’s art. That’s creating. That’s what I love about Direk Tonette and Direk Andoy. They put an art to creating.”


JC answers the inevitable question. “What I love about JaDine? When we started, the first scenes na shoot namin with Nadine were all montage. That time, on-the-spot direction siya. I did not expect Nadine to be that giving as an actress. Kasi nga first time namin magkakilala. We didn’t even have a workshop for this.”

It turns out his initial notion of the lovely young actress’ personality and skills were on the dot. “First day namin magkikita. Sa eksena, nung nagbigay ako, binalik niya sa akin.” JC’s assessment of Nadine is this: “Wow, this person is very generous. And acts well. She acts really well. Our chemistry was very good.” In the end, JC was able to assure himself, “Ah, so madali nalang pala ang trabaho ko kasi nagtutulungan kami.”

JC has nothing but good words for Nadine’s partner, James Reid. “The same thing goes with James. Especially, nung andun kami sa Greece,” relates JC who was able to hang out with James off-cam.

“Our first scene was in the trailer of the soap. Nung binuhat niya ako sa airport, nung nagyakap kami.” JC reflects that he found the simple and down-to-earth ways of the two were very refreshing despite their astounding popularity. “Wala akong problema sa dalawa. Kahit on and off cam, happy ako sa kanila. I love them. Sabi ko nga sana ganito katrabaho ang stars parati.”


“Eto pa yung favorite ko working with them. We get to experiment — like sa scene na ‘to, try ko ‘to. Sa ibang scene, ibang attack naman. Naglalaro kami. It makes it real. Nagiging organic. Kasi gusto namin what we’re doing. We are enjoying and then it started to be play. It seemed like we weren’t working.”

On his being caught in a love triangle with the JaDine love team who has legions of followers, JC has this to say: “Lagi ko kasi naririnig na lahat ng mga third wheels nila ay merong natatanggap. Nilabas nila ‘yung teaser and ang daming na curious. Everybody on social media was telling me, ‘Welcome to JaDine land.’ Wala pa akong natanggap na negative. Hanggang ngayon, JaDine fans actually love the character. Unang scenes ng trailer kaming dalawa ni Nadine tapos magiging sila. Wala akong natanggap na anything negative. They are very supportive. And they are actually smart fans. They really analyzed the trailer.”

As for what this LGBT theme soap is doing to foster progressive thinking among TV viewers, JC admits, “It’s going to be new. It’s shocking. It’s something new that ABS-CBN is telling the world. They’re in for a really good story that they will enjoy. It’s going to be a great rollercoaster ride. It is a rom-com with quirky characters. Samahan mo pa ang humor ni Direk Tonette.”

JC continues, “First time for ABS-CBN to do this. And very, very brave. I am very lucky to be part of this. I am such a lucky person. Lahat ng nangyayari first time. First time nilang gagawin. Tapos JaDine ang gagawa. Ang tapang din nila. Nakaka-inspire. It’s a brave step. Ang ganda. That’s all I can say. I am very grateful but the pressure is on. We just got back from Greece. Hinihintay pa namin ‘yung reactions ng tao — kung ano ang mangyayari. Hindi ko pa siya gamay. But I am ready for it.”

As for what his followers will see of him in the soap besides his pretty face and mean acting chops, he declares, “You are going to see the fun, the funny side of JC. The other side. The quick-witted, light-hearted, kind, loving JC. Kasi ‘di ko pa to napapakita.”

With everything happening at breakneck speed, the newcomer has this to say to his followers: “Thank you for the support. Sana ma-meet ko sila. I want to meet them eventually. I am overwhelmed by the supporters. I want to thank them in person. I am very grateful. Kasi kung wala din sila, di rin ako mapupunta dito. It’s them — from social media to television. ‘Di pa pinapalabas, meron nang mga fans —dahil sa kanila. I am very grateful for that.”

To say the week-long premiere had televiewers’ tongues wagging is an understatement. In ‘Till I Met You,’ we see in JC a serious actor on the rise. Whether he is onscreen with JaDine or off-duty as regular guy, we see a JC Santos that can more than hold his own.

Text by Rione Palacios / Sitting Editor – Nic Magquilat / Photography by Yukie Sarto of Studio 100 /Art Direction by Mina Cruzada / BTS by Josef Castro and Macky Arquilla / VideographerJR Ramirez / Makeup by Jay Lozada / Hairstyling by Raven Dizon / Styling by Mina Cruzada and Rione Palacios / Special Thanks to Direk Andoy Ranay, UNIT 27 Bar + Cafe and Folded & Hung

82 comments:

  1. Ang lakas ng appeal ng batang to!

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    1. Related b sya ke charo santos?katulad nung isa sa the story of us?

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    2. 5:33am hindi po. Galing siya sa theater. Sa dulaang up

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    3. Kamuka nya yung isang actor don sa Ang Probinsyano,yung pulis na kasama lagi ni John Pratts although sya ang version 3.0

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  2. My babyyyyyyyyyy!!!!

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  3. He definitely has talent, but I hope be doesn't get stuck doing love team type of work. Hope he does more drama, indie or even stage work.

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  4. Like ko sya. Natural na acting. Habang tumatagal napogi pag tinititigan

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    1. hmmmm... might become the next coco m. just sayin'.

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  5. Pero sa TV ang laki ng ilong nya kaya bagay sila ni Nadine

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    1. Like! @12:27 Zero in talaga sa ilong no? Wag mo ng ipagpilitan si Nadz kasi may "real" partner si JC.

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    2. may resemblance siya kay teddy corpus ng showtime.

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    3. Huh?? Diba si James yung pagaagawan nila dun sa series? So ang loveteam ay sila james at nad saka james at jc???

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    4. @2:03, si Nadz tumitibok for Ali (JC), Ali naman for Basti (James)and this week we'll hear Basti's for Iris (Naddie)

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  6. Woah ang gwapo pala nya

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  7. Gwapo nya but he reminds me of pepe herera

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    1. Gwapo din si Pepe, lalo na sa personal. Malakas ang sex appeal. Actually maraming gwapo sa teatro. Mas nakakakilig sila kesa sa mga pa-tweetums sa TV.

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  8. TL!!!!!! mas lalo kitang minahal sa TIMY !!nagkakasala na ko kay james!!!

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    1. Di ko kinaya yung sweet sa kanya si james reid baks! Gusto ko pumagitna at sakin nalang sila maging sweet nakakaloka

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    2. hahaha korek. nababaliw na nga ako. kinikilig ako sa ali and basti.. sa ali and iris. and iris and basti.. hahaha napaka swerte ni nadine!!!

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  9. isa sa bagong hinahype ng viva pero in fair may talent naman siya kaya keri lang kesa dun sa team reel

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    Replies
    1. Viva artist pala siya?

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    2. Viva artist? I don't think so. Kung oo man eh di ok fine. -TeamAli

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  10. Sisikat tong si JC! He has the X factor

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  11. Overhyped. Paano ito nakalusot sa big role sa primetime?

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    1. theatre actor sya.. nag assistant director din kay andor ranay. lumabas sya sa annaliza at ipaglaban mo. may online series sya with jasmine.. di sya overhyped. pinagtrabahuhan nya yan.

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    2. @12:44 Hindi mo nabasa yung credentials nya no? Basa basa pag may time. 😉

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    3. 12:44 Overhyped? Yung pabebe idols mo yon! Ang galing kaya ng batang to! Basahin mo mga achievements nya hindi puro ka kuda!

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    4. 12:44AM, he was also the ex-BF of Shaina Magdayao's character in Cinema One's SINGLE/SINGLE.

      In fairness to JC, he has the acting skill. He's not overhyped or a fluke to begin with. He graduated from UP and studied acting in New York.

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    5. Lumabas din sya sa probinsyano as young Don Emilio. Not overhyped, magaling talaga sya. Pero pansin ko yon pilot week medyo nervous (kita ko sa bts lagi syang nagsosorry pagnagkakamali) dahil na rin siguro first full length drama nya ito. So far nageenjoy kami panoorin ang timy kahit inis minsan sa dami ng commercials hahahhaa, rooting for team timy.

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    6. Paano anon 12:44? Manager niya lang naman kase ang isa sa directors. Palakasan lang ang labanan sa dos baks

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    7. kahit na manager nya si andoy ranay.. super bagay sya sa role. keber.

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    8. You should all watch how he portrays a role. Paano nakalusot sa big role. Try mo panoorin so u can get the asnwer to ypur question, hindi yung mgconclude ka kaagad. He is actually surprisingly good in acting.

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    9. mga bano nga umarte bumibida eh yan pa kayang considered as seasoned na rin dahil sa credentials nya. He earned his stripes oh basa sa taas... mas magagaling pang umarte mga tga teatro at indie film.

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  12. Naku, iho, kung nandito ka sa North America, pag aagawan ka, You look like my nephew at madami ang may crush sa kanya.

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    1. Hindi nauubos yng ganto. Comment lang para mag brag

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    2. malamang ang may crush yung mga pinay na pakalat-kalat sa mall.

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    3. 12:58AM, big deal sa kanya dahil sa U.S? Hahahahahaha!

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    4. Na alala ko yung recent pic ni Piolo Pascual sa Brooklyn Bridge. 2 foreign couple ang nag request na maging photographer nila si fafa P. LOL.

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    5. Dont be delusional. Rare lang sisikat ang mga minorities jan sa states. They don't really have a lot of roles for Asians. And they don't even care if they casted the right ethnicity. White people supremacy doon.

      Though I do I agree that JC has the talent and looks for sure. Hindi siya katulod ng mga pa bebe love teams.

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    6. 1:17 you know it. Etong eto yung mga tukoy ni rhian e. Nakatuntong lang sa ibang bansa kala mo sila lang nakarating. Laging special mention

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  13. Very handsome fella.

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  14. Inferness mas bagay sila ni Nadine. Not a fan or hater ng Jadine pero mas kinikilig ako sa kanila kaysa Kay James.

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    Replies
    1. This is so true!

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    2. ako naman kinikilig sa kanilang 3!!! hahaha bagay silang 3!!!

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    3. @12:53 thumbs up dahil open minded ka, di katulad ng iba hindi naman nanonood ng timy pero sobrang makabash. Mindset na kasi nila na ihate anything with James and Nadine.

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    4. I am also up for him and Nadine. Haha may lalim ang tinhinan nila grabe. And how he treats her, lil kisses here and there. Ay kuhang kuha nila ako sa actingan nila.magagaling!!!

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  15. Walang dating sa totoo lang. Di rin kagwapuhan. Pang indie movies lang ang hitsura.

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    1. Choosy baks? Kaloka ang mindset ng pinoy pag di gwapo waley na.

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    2. @12:54 Kasi naman preferred mo yung tisoy na bano sa akting. Na pag bulol sa pagbikas ng wikang Filipino ay considered "cute".

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    3. Like! Cguro naubo si JC sa bansag na heartthrob. Gusto nya makilala sa langaran ng pag act hindi sa pagiging eye candy. Pero dahil talentado sya eh di eye candy na rin sya sa akin. Hihihi

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    4. 1:20 true!! #typicalpinoys

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    5. Indie movies is where you'll find REAL actors who can act. I seriously doubt you'll find James doing one of those. He can't even act right in a typical rom-com let alone a deep indie story. Leave those for the real actors. James is all hype when it comes to his acting.

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  16. He looks like a young janno gibbs

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  17. Magaling siya!! He can be the next COCO MARTIN!!!

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    Replies
    1. yup... love coco but JC speaks english well. sa MMK sana siya 1 of these days.

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  18. Wahhh love you jc!!!

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  19. Replies
    1. Hiyang hiya naman si JC sayo...... Ang ganda mo..........

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    2. 5:23 sila ang mga nangangatog na ang tuhod dahil hindi singlakas ng appeal ni jc ang appeal ng mga idolets nilang banong umarte.

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    3. Manood ka muna baks. Panoorin mo sya lintek na di ka maseduce sa galing nya.

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  20. saw him in a short film, basaan ata title, magaling sya dun tska yung partner nya

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    Replies
    1. Si Anna Luna yung partner niya doon.

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    2. 5:46 PM Maganda at mahusay si Anna kaso medyo diva levels.

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  21. ale ale alejandro!!!

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  22. Yes he could be the next coco martin!

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  23. Dont hate Jc if u hate Jadine..ung iba mema lng talaga. He's from UP Diliman FYI

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    1. Eh ano naman kung taga-UP Diliman sya?!

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  24. the who he is ,sorry Di KO sya kilala

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    Replies
    1. You can always google him!

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    2. ayan na ung article oh. basahin mo

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  25. like! one will have to ask why he was cast as one of the major roles na parang kabute lang. kasi po he's full of talent and his eyes speak volumes. the guy has a good track record in acting, hindi sya katulad ng mga iba dyan na good looks LANG ang pinuhunan para makapasok ng showbiz.

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  26. Hay nako kilig na kilig ako sa kanila ni Iris sa Till I Met You tapos bading pala ang role nya kaasar pero keri lang kilig pa din.aahahahahaa

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  27. Like! Pinapanuod ko TIMY dahil kay Ali at Basti. Basta mga eksena nilang 2, tutukan ko. Ayayay!

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  28. I like him! Good choice para sa TIMY. - manakaylola

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  29. Mas gwapo at may appeal sya kay james.. Mas talented din

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  30. Di ko pa rin tanggap na gay role nya sa TIMY. Mga beh, ang lakas ng appeal nya. Nakakaloka.

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  31. so did he pass the UPCAT or pwede na makapasok sa dulaangnUP kahit d up student?

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    1. Merong two-year Certificate Course in Theatre Arts ang UP Diliman. Di mo na kelangan pang magUPCAT doon. Talent test ang kailangan para makapasok sa program na yun.

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  32. Konti na lang malapit ko na din maging crush to. Lol.

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