Why Janus almost quit showbiz

Janus del Prado revealed that there was a time when he considered turning his back on acting. He recalled that despite being visible onscreen, there was a period when the challenge of securing a spot in the entertainment scene got so heavy due to the influx of newbie actors eager to grab attention and stardom. Add to that was the so-called “awkward stage” every child actor goes through upon reaching tween years.

“Lahat siguro naisip ‘yun na mag-give up,” said Janus at the grand presscon of Star Cinema’s Can’t Help Falling In Love. “It was in early 2013 when I thought of quitting. I worked as a broker for a while because at that time I got somewhat tired from acting altogether and wished to be released from the contract but Tita Mariole (Alberto) talked to me. She said, ‘Sige, pagdaanan mo lang ‘yan pero hindi mo kailangan magpa-release sa kontrata.’ Then two months after our meeting, I got projects — two for movies and one for TV.”

Janus took it as a clear sign that he is destined to stay in the industry that also served as his playground. He entered show business when he was just five years old with Pat. Omar Abdullah: Pulis Probinsiya 2 as his first foray into acting. His talent cannot be denied and that’s because acting runs in his blood being the son of veteran character actor Renato del Prado.

“To stay visible in the industry is a great challenge to me,” admitted Janus. “But when it comes to staying power naman, siguro ako ‘yung pinakalamang sa lahat kasi ang daming sumikat at mga nawala na rin. I started in 1990 and then I became one of ABS-CBN talent artists in 2000 as part of Star Circle Batch 9.”

The 32-year-old actor also did several movies for Regal Films under director Peque Gallaga before he went to Viva Films. Movie projects started to trickle when he reached the awkward stage which lasted for two years. Janus was 15 when he became active again in the limelight.

“I guess this is my fate so I need to think of what more can I do and offer to the people aside from acting, especially nowadays when actors are not just confined to acting. One must also know how to sing, dance or host; hindi pwedeng artista lang dapat entertainer ka rin.”

No wonder, Janus is bent on pursuing his interest in music. “Music is what I love doing aside from acting. I had a band before but unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time for it because of acting. Now, I wish to go back to performing with my bandmates,” shared Janus, who is also into songwriting. “Kahit hindi ganun kaganda ang boses ko, gusto ko talagang bumalik sa pagtugtog.”

Janus promised to return to the performing stage as soon as his schedule permits. “I want to try new things also outside of my comfort zone.”

But it doesn’t mean that Janus is shying away from playing supporting roles. “Hindi naman ganun. It’s just life happens and even before I wasn’t aiming for too much probably because very laidback ako mag-isip noon when it came to my career. Ako yung tipo na kahit ano lang dumating basta magawa ko lang ng tama ‘yung trabaho ko. I am a very chill person. I was about 23 when they saw me fit to play best friend role through director Cathy’s (Garcia-Molina) film One More Chance and then similar roles followed.”

Janus is assigned anew to play supporting role in the Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo topbiller Can’t Help Falling In Love, opening on April 15 in theaters. “I will be playing William Charles, the cousin/bestfriend of Daniel’s Dos Gonzales. Bal ang tawagan namin kasi feeling ko magkamukha kami hahahaha.”

Asked if he was able to write songs during taping breaks, Janus said he was learning to play guitar on the set by watching lessons on YouTube. “I feel that I get to express myself more through music even if I’m not that good at hitting the high notes like Jed Madela does (laughs).”