Zanjoe Marudo finds his niche
After delving into a variety of characters in his nine years in showbiz, Zanjoe Marudo has discovered what suits him best – playing daddy roles.
After delving into a variety of characters in his nine years in showbiz, Zanjoe Marudo has discovered what suits him best – playing daddy roles. Zanjoe found success in the defunct
teleserye “Annaliza,” where he played father to child actress Andrea Brillantes. He continues to shine portraying the same role, this time to Baby, played by Jana Agoncillo, in the teleserye “Dream Dad.”
“Nakakatuwa kasi at least nakita o nahanap ko na kung saan ako, kung para saan talaga ako,” Zanjoe said at the recent press conference of “Dream Dad.”
“Hindi katulad before na i- try ko ito, i- try ko mag- heavy drama, i- try ko mag-intense. At least ito nahanap ko na kung saan ako pwede – wholesome, may bata,” he added.
Prior to “Annaliza and “Dream Dad,” Zanjoe starred in the “Precious Hearts Romances” series, as well as “Lovers in Paris,” “Florinda,” “The Wedding” and “Dyosa.”
He knows that having a child as co-star does not always guarantee success and
high ratings; still, he is grateful he and Jana have great chemistry. “Basta kapag may bata na kasama sa show, hindi naman talaga laging positive ang nangyayari. Pero nakakatuwa na ang galing-galing ni Baby, hindi ko na kailangan mag- effort,” he said. While some actors choose to stick to their matinee idol image, Zanjoe doesn’t mind doing daddy roles again in the future.
“Wala naman problema sa akin iyon kung ganito lagi ’yung ibibigay sa akin na
role kasi positive naman ’yung binibigay na effect sa mga tao. Nakakatulong naman sa mga viewers, maganda na may naipapakita ako na aral,” he said. Zanjoe admitted he used to be very conscious of TV ratings. Now, he realized that inspiring people and imparting good values to audiences are more important than numbers.
“Dati talagang apektadong-apektado ’yung grupo, lalo ako, inaaalam ko ’yung ratings ng show. Ngayon na successful ’yung show, may natutunan ako na ’yung
ratings, bonus na lang iyon eh. Ang importante nakakapag- inspire kami ng tao. Mababa or mataas man ang rating, ’yung
effort na binibigay namin sa trabaho,
pareho,” he said. “Dream Dad” scored a national TV rating of 32.5% on March 8 according to Kantar Media despite the airing of a new rival show.
“Nagpapasalamat kami na ganoon ’yung rating namin. Nakakatuwa na hindi bumibitaw ’yung mga tao sa istorya namin. Nagpapasalamat ako sa lahat ng bumubuo ( ng show), team effort ito,” he said. He plays daddy on TV, but when does Zanjoe want to be a husband and daddy in real life? “As soon as possible,” he said.
Zanjoe maintained he is just counting the years before he settles down with girlfriend Bea Alonzo.
“Sana hindi na lalagpas ng limang taon. Siguro nasa tamang edad na din naman ako. Gusto ko kung magkaka-pamilya ako, makapaglaro pa kami ( ng anak ko), makapag- bonding sa sports,
ganoon,” he said. Zanjoe and Bea, who have been a couple for four years already, are in no rush to get married.
“Ayaw ko naman anuhin ’yung mga ganoon bagay ng hindi pa handa lahat. Darating din naman iyon sa tamang panahon. Lahat naman itong magandang bagay, dumadating sa tamang
panahon,” he said. Zanjoe debunked breakup rumors, maintaining that their relationship is stronger than ever. “Walang ganoon (breakup). Si Bea, happy siya sa mga
nangyayari sa akin,” he said. Although they don’t get to spend as much time as they want together owing to their busy schedules, Zanjoe said they always make up for it by going on vacations together. In fact, they are Japan-bound come Holy Week.
“Dream Dad” also stars Beauty Gonzales, Katya Santos, Ketchup Eusebio, Gloria Diaz, Ariel Ureta and Maxene Magalona.