Acting is it for Jon Lucas this time

MANILA, Philippines — Many thought that dancing was Jon Lucas’ ticket to local tinseltown. In fact, acting paved the way for him. He started in shows like Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Wansapanataym and Got to Believe. As a GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) talent, Jon would like to give the latter another try.

“My love (and passion) for dancing is still there, at pwede ko namang gawin yun anytime kung kakailanganin sa work (I can do it anytime if my work requires me to),” said Jon in a recent media call that introduced him, Anjo Damiles, Angela Alarcon, Erin Ocampo, Ysabel Ortega and Faye Lorenzo as the newest members of the growing GMAAC stable of stars. “But for now, I would like to focus on acting.”

His acting mettle will be put to the test via the Pinoy adaptation of Korea’s Descendants of the Sun, which Dominic Zapata directs, while Dingdong Dantes leads the ensemble of actors. Anjo and Faye will be seen in Madrasta, Ysabel in The Gift, while Angela and Erin in Beautiful Justice.

“I play Benjo Tamayo, who is also known as Harry Potter,” shared Jon. “He is part of the Alpha Team, which is headed by Capt. (Lucas) Manalo, si Big Boss, played by Dingdong Dantes. I don’t have a love interest here.”

To play a man in uniform, Jon, along with fellow actors Dingdong, Rocco Nacino, Paul Salas and Lucho Ayala, attended a military training for them to look the part and to get into the psyche of their characters.

“Yung training masaya na mahirap pero mas lamang ang masaya (the training was both tough and fun, but we had more fun time),” he recalled, “It was another new experience and additional learning to us all.”

During the brief yet meaningful “boot camp,” Jon had a peek into the military men’s daily grind. He did combat and firing sessions and rope course. On top of mental alertness and physical preparedness, the usual routine has instilled in him discipline and dedication that soldiers possess. 

With fellow GMA Artist Center talents (from left) Angela Alarcon, Erin Ocampo, Ysabel Ortega, Faye Lorenzo and Anjo Damiles

“We have higher regard for them after the training,” said Jon. “Iba yung buhay ng mga mga sundalo. Kumbaga kaya tayo nakakapamuhay nang mapayapa, nandyan sila para iligtas tayo sa mga masasama (Their life or calling is different from us. We live in peace because they are there to protect us from bad elements).”

Jon, of course, understood the need behind the mentally-and-physically challenging military training. It was done for the authentic execution of scenes and the proper representation of their roles.

“So when people watch (the characters on) TV, tama at wala silang masasabi na ganyan bang humawak ng baril ang sundalo? Ganyan ba yung mga (sundalo)? (They won’t have doubts whether we have correctly handled the gun or we have properly conducted ourselves as soldiers),” he said. The actors who form the Alpha Team went to Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and found their temporary shelter in makeshift tents where military trainees stay. The tents didn’t have the comforts of the usual Filipino house and much more, the conveniences of urban living.

Asked about his stay at the Kapuso network, his newfound home, Jon had this to say: “I’m very happy that I’m (finally) here at GMA. From the time I signed up with them up to now, (I feel) lahat ang gaan… from co-actors, handlers to managers and staff… Lalo ngayon ramdam na ramdam ko yung mainit na pagtanggap sa akin ng Kapuso, lalo na sa taping kahit katrabaho ko ngayon si Big Boss… sobrang OK siyang ka-work, pinaparamdam niya sa akin na welcome talaga ako sa Kapuso network. Kahit sa Artist Center, yung mga co-actor, lahat sila warm ang welcome sa akin.”

Again, his decision to change management was a challenging one. In fact, Jon had the option to have a new manager in his previous network and repackage himself as an actor, a performer or a host, but he had already made up his mind to transfer network. “Para new home with new mindset. Gusto ko bagong tahanan, bagong pag-iisip, bagong goal at talagang focus.”
Since he was given another chance at showbiz, Jon is expected to be more committed to his work. The then young John has learned lessons like not getting overwhelmed by show business.

“Kailangan galingan ko talaga (I have to better myself),” he said, “kasi baka ito yung magiging grade para magkaroon (ako) ng next project (because this might serve as a grade or basis for my next project).” As a neophyte of the network, Jon said he seeks help or pieces of advice from director Dominic and Dingdong.

“This time, naniniwala ako na tutulungan nila ako na matupad ang pangarap ko at maipakita yung talentong binigay sa akin ng panginoon (I believe [the network] will help me fulfill my dream and show the talents God has given me.),” said Jon.

Acting is “it” for Jon this time around.