It's 'super' work for JC

MANILA, Philippines - Months back, it was just JC de Vera, the matinee idol. Now, it’s JC de Vera, matinee idol, budding comedian, drama actor, dancer and even action star.

Rhian Ramos’ ex is proving that he’s not just another handsome face in the biz. His home studio TV5 is taking care of that.

“The network is helping me become a well-rounded artist,” beams JC. “I’m very excited to report on the set of P.O. 5 (TV5’s noontime variety show every Sunday ) because I do different things there. I don’t do hip-hop anymore. I do the salsa and ballroom dances. I even get into stage acting.”

He played different roles in the primetime program 5 Star Specials: A cold-blooded hired killer, a streetfighter, a magician-vampire and a super hero.

He turned wacko in the gag show Lokomoko High. And now, JC is poised to get his biggest break so far — the title role in the kiligserye, My Driver Sweet Lover, which premieres Monday, Oct. 25. It airs Monday to Friday on primetime.

The Monday to Friday schedule may be taxing, but you won’t catch JC frowning even for a minute.

“It’s super work. I have less time to sleep,” he admits. “But this is what I was asking for. This was what I was praying for. And the Lord gave it to me.”

You can’t blame JC for making hay while the proverbial sun shines. He knows how it is to lie idle for months. For a time, televiewers didn’t see him for months on end. So he values work more than ever.

“My mentality is I can’t relax if I have work. I have to give it my 101 percent. Work can vanish just like that. So you must be disciplined and put your heart into it,” he explains.

Putting his heart into his work means feeling the pressure of playing a title role in TV5’s new gamble: Its first-ever daily series.

But JC — jeepney driver Rocky in the series — is not about to go under. In fact, he’s taking the pressure by the horn and turning it to his advantage.

“Pressure is helping me a lot in learning on the set. I’m grabbing this chance to improve myself. I actually enjoy taping,” he relates.

Why won’t he enjoy himself when his new inspiration, Danita Paner happens to be JC’s love interest? Danita plays a cranky hotel heiress who hates the jeepney driver’s guts.

Lead star seems to have eyes only for his first-time leading lady, even off-cam. JC admits he’d visit Danita at home everyday and says “hi”, not only to her but her mom, Daisy Romualdez as well. No wonder Daisy is said to welcome their frequent guest with open arms all the time.

“I know how to pay my respects to Tita Daisy,” explains JC.

Is there something more than friendship in his visits to Daisy’s youngest daughter?

JC’s words shift from spontaneous to hesitant.

“I can’t really tell,” he replies. “I like Danita. I want to always be by her side. Our conversations have gone beyond friendship. Emotions are already involved.”

So there. Our Romeo is actually smitten. And why not?

JC observes that he and Danita share the same passion: Family and food.

JC feels like a knight in shining armor when Danita is near. Since she’s a relative showbiz newcomer, JC enjoys guiding her in her scenes.

“I feel like an actor-teacher,” he reveals.” I’m happy to help her. She’s willing to learn. After all, I can’t leave her behind because My Driver Sweet Lover is our show.”

Even if it weren’t, JC will most likely feel drawn to Danita anyway.

“Totoong tao siya,” he gushes. “She grew up in this industry because of Tita Daisy, but Dan (his pet name for Danita) is not showbiz.”

It’s this rawness he finds so lovable and refreshing. JC doesn’t mind if Danita calls him “My Baby,” an endearment she uses on her other co-stars.

Does this mean Danita will replace Rhian in JC’s heart?

“I don’t want to comment,” he replies. “All I know is we enjoy each other’s company. She inspires me in my work and I think I also do that to her.”

But even if he and Danita go well together like coffee and cream, JC knows he’s done with the loveteam lifestyle.

“I’ve already graduated with pa-tweetums roles,” he stresses. “Five Star Specials proved that I can work on my own. I’m ready for other shows.”

JC is also ready for other leading ladies, not just from TV5 but from other networks. Tops on his list are Maja Salvador, Kim Chiu and Jennylyn Mercado.

JC adds that Arci Muñoz and Meg Imperial, his co-stars in My Driver Sweet Lover, would also make fine leading ladies someday.

It’s a whole new world for JC de Vera. And he’s wasting no time to make sure he makes the most of it.