Comedian-turned-director John “The Universal Sweet” Lapus, on Thursday, May 5, embraced the reality that he is already past his prime as an actor.
In the press conference of the upcoming sitcom Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa which he directs, Lapus, 48, said, “Tinanggap ko na rin naman na ang katotohanan na isa akong laos na artista.”
According to the director, this is the third time he felt washed out. In his career as an actor, he made switches from GMA Network to ABS-CBN and vice versa.
“Mag-direct ka na! Ginaganoon ako ng mga kaibigan ko.
“Ang mga kaibigan ko are people from the industry. Kilala niyo naman ang mga iyan, mga producers, mga directors. So they know what they are talking about. At naniniwala ako sa mga sinasabi nila.
“Aba! Eh pinabalik na naman ako ng ABS! So nauudlot nang nauudlot hanggang sa finally no’ng in-embrace ko na, okay na.”
After his acceptance, projects flooded into him as a new director. In 2019, he directed several shows, including the hit Kapamilya series Kadenang Ginto.
“I’m so thankful na simula nang naging direktor ako, yung 100% na doon na ako naka-focus, napakaswerte ko sa mga producers ko. Mga mababait na tao, madadaling kausap, naniniwala sa aking creativity, malaking bagay iyon lalo na sa direktor na bagong pasok sa trabaho ng pagdi-direk,” he expressed.
Lapus added, “Thank God napunta ako sa mga producers na mababait at tsaka mga kilala sa industriya na mababait na tao, na inaano ang safety ng mga tao dahil nga may pandemya, masarap ang pagkain. Masarap na nga ang pagkain, magdadala pa ng extrang pagkain.”
Moreover, the director is also doing scriptwriting, having been one of GMA Network’s My Daddy’s Girl scriptwriters.
Although he switched careers, Lapus stressed that he still accepts offers to act.
“Tumatanggap pa rin po ako. Hindi hamak na malaki ang sahod ko bilang artista kumpara sa bilang direktor.”
Meanwhile, one of the stars of Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa and also its co-producer Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes admired Lapus as an artist.
“Si Direk Sweet kasi is an artist. At ang isang artist, parating nage-evolve. I think natural progression as an artist ang magkaroon ng maraming destinasyon.
“Kunyari magsimula ka sa teatro, telebisyon, movie, and then direct. Who knows after directing ibang larangan na naman ng art. So we are just very very proud and very happy to be under his care,” lauded the actor.
Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa also includes Kapuso Primetime Queen Marian Rivera along with a stellar cast in Pekto, Benjie Paras, Shamaine Beuncamino, and Pinky Amador, among others.
