It is said that “good things come to those who wait”, but for JM de Guzman, opportunities came knocking earlier than expected.
The actor, known for his role as a hopeless romantic, has made a string of hit TV shows and a blockbuster movie in the past five years.
His most recognizable role to date is that of Angelito from the drama series “Angelito: Batang Ama” which tells the story of a boy who became a father at a young age. The TV series has been cited for addressing modern issues like premarital sex and the lack of education among the youth.
Due to its overwhelming success, “Angelito: Ang Batang Ama” spawned the sequel “Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto” which shows the character’s life years after having a family.
Unlike the stereotyped mestizo matinee idol, JM’s charm lies in his relatable Filipino “moreno” looks that have made him a good choice to portray ordinary people. This has helped viewers identify with him easily, especially because of his great acting skills and honest personality.
However, fans were shocked when they learned that JM survived a crisis. Despite his hit TV series and high visibility, the actor encountered a stumbling block when he became addicted to drugs and disappeared from the limelight.
He told Boy Abunda in “The Buzz” that this made him enter rehab and his career suffered for almost two years. The actor said he was blinded by success and was curious about drugs which made him unprofessional and unruly.
Fortunately, JM managed to hurdle his problems, thanks to the support of his late grandfather and family. The actor is now back on his feet and recently shared his bad experience with viewers. Watch his interview here:
After his full recovery, JM was surprised at the opportunities that came his way. He received critical and commercial success with the movie “That Thing Called Tadhana” where he was partnered with Angelica Panganiban. It became the highest grossing Filipino independent film of all time that earned gross revenues of ₱134 million in under three weeks.
JM’s winning streak continues with ABS-CBN’s new TV series “All of Me” inspired by John Legend’s hit single of the same name. Here, JM plays the lead character Manuel after a three-year hiatus on TV.
Watch the trailer here:
With the support of a powerhouse cast, “All of Me” promises to be another star vehicle for JM. Expect the series to showcase JM’s talent as the actor gets a well-deserved second chance on TV.
