JOHN LLOYD CRUZ MARKS TV COMEBACK IN ‘HAPPY TOGETHER’
A MERRIER and laughter-filled holiday season awaits viewers of GMA here and abroad with the highly-anticipated weekly comedy sitcom Happy Together, which premiered on December 26.
Multi-awarded actor, bankable leading man, and top-caliber endorser John Lloyd Cruz makes his grand TV comeback as he topbills this much-awaited program. Aside from playing the lead role of Julian, a handsome mechanic and single dad who aspires to give his son a better future and find his one true love, he is also a creative consultant for Happy Together.
As he begins a new season in his life, the multitalented actor admitted that this new opportunity challenged him: “Siguro, mas malaking challenge na nasa bagong bakuran tayo. It’s challenging kasi nangangapa kaming grupo. Kaya napakaswerte namin dahil iyong assistance, paggabay, at pagtulong ng GMA sa amin ay talagang hindi matatawaran.”
He added: “’Yung opportunity na galing sa GMA executives, araw-araw namin ipinagpapasalamat. Sa bawat araw na nasa loob kami ng bubble, mayroon kaming opportunity na makapagtrabaho and we can all move forward from the current situation of our nation. Kaya punong-puno kami ng pasasalamat. In return, ang gusto lang naman namin ay maibalik sa audience ’yung favor na ibinibigay sa atin dito sa network.”
GMA Network first vice president for program management Jose Mari Abacan is confident the audiences will love the show: “Nung nakuha ko na ’yung mga na-tape nilang episodes, talagang I [became] very, very confident na the Kapuso viewers will actually appreciate it. Matutuwa sila doon sa mga episodes na ginawa nila John Lloyd.”
Director Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, who helms the sitcom, has nothing but good words to say to John Lloyd: “Involved na involved talaga si Lloydie hindi lang sa creatives. Nung nawalan na ng trabaho ang marami sa amin, nilapitan ko siya at sabi ko, ‘Lloydie, puwede ba tayong gumawa [ng show] para matulungan mo kami at ’yung mga kasamahan natin?’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘Sige, Direk. Kung makakatulong ako, babalik ako.’ ’Yan ang unang-una naming ipagpapasalamat kay Lloydie.”
According to Mortiz, preparations for the show took longer than expected because it had to be special: “Tumagal ’yung paghahanda namin dahil sa konsepto nung show. Gusto namin siyempre maiba naman ’yung konsepto niya kaysa doon sa dating ginawa namin. Nandoon pa din ’yung flavor na gusto namin, pero iba naman siya. Iba ’yung comedy namin. Makikita niyo na may touch ng John Lloyd.”
Happy Together is made even more funny and delightful with the star-studded cast led by Miles Ocampo as Liz, Jayson Gainza as Mike, Ashley Rivera as Pam, Jenzel Angeles as Rocky, Eric Nicolas as Anton, Janus del Prado as TG, Kleggy Abaya as Kanor, Vito Quizon as Joey, Leo Bruno as Boss Oca, Wally Waley as Andy, and Carmi Martin as Nanay Pining.
Happy Together can be enjoyed every Sunday before Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho on GMA. Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. More information can be found at www.gmanetwork.com.