For Lance Carr, landing the lead role of Dr. Clyden Ramirez in ‘Avenues of the Diamond’ was more than just a career milestone—it was the fulfillment of a promise to himself and his family, six years in the making.
“It was a very long six years,” Lance shared during his solo press conference at the Viva office last July 30. “2019, nung nag-PBB ako and pagkalabas ko, there’s this, like, instant healing. I am sure all the housemates would agree—hindi celebrity housemates ha, yung talagang regular housemates—na pagkalabas mo, ‘O artista na ako. Sikat na ako.’”
But Lance recalled a lesson he never forgot from ‘PBB’ guest Seth Fedelin: “Ang tunay na laban, hindi sa loob kundi sa labas.”
“It’s really kung gaano mo kagusto yung trabaho mo, kung gaano ka maghirap, how hard you’re willing to work for it para makuha mo yung mga gusto mong ma-achieve,” he added.
Throughout those six years, Lance juggled showbiz, school, and sports. He finished his Bachelor of Arts in Communication at Ateneo de Davao University—graduating cum laude—all while managing tapings for shows like Dirty Linen and maintaining his passion for basketball.
“After I graduated senior high school in Ateneo de Davao, I went to PBB, took a gap year, and then the pandemic hit, dun ako nag-enroll ng college,” he said. “Sabi ng Ateneo de Davao, online pa rin. And ako, hinahabol ko kasi yung loyalty award kasi since preschool, sa Ateneo na talaga ako.”
His college journey wasn’t easy. “There will be times I would fly back to Davao for an exam or for a quiz, recitation,” Lance said, noting that there were weeks he flew between Manila and Davao four times just to fulfill both academic and professional commitments.
In his final year of college, he also resumed playing varsity basketball. “That was the time din na parang iniisip ko, ‘What if hindi talaga ako para sa showbiz? Wala pa akong nararating, wala pang break na dumarating sa akin.’ So that was the time na inisip ko na, ‘What if buhayin ko na lang yung basketball career ko?’”
But Lance held on to one promise: “The priority at first was to finish my studies kasi promise ko sa mom and dad ko, I’m gonna get my bachelor’s degree talaga, no matter what happens.”
He credited a lesson from his high school coach that continues to guide him: “There’s a big difference between prioritizing your schedule and scheduling your priorities.”
After his former contract ended, Lance considered other options—but then Viva came through.
“Luckily, I was so blessed na ibinigay sa akin lahat ng Viva yung tiwala na meron sila sa akin ngayon.”
Now, at 24, Lance is finally leading ‘Avenues of the Diamond’, the adaptation of the fourth book in Gwy Saludes’ hit University Series on Wattpad. He was introduced as Clyden during a Valentine’s Day special of ‘Anong Ganap?’ and stars opposite Aubrey Caraan. The series premiered on April 11 and is available for streaming on Viva One.
Up next, Lance is set to appear in the romantic film ‘Minamahal’ alongside Andres Muhlach and Ashtine Olviga, which premieres this September. He will also reunite with Aubrey Caraan and other Viva stars for VIVARKADA, a grand fan concert happening August 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
