CEBU, Philippines — Dubbed as one of the brightest and most promising Kapuso male stars, Ruru Madrid surely has eyes trained on him.
The 20-year-old actor is just getting started, and like any rising talent, Ruru has his own role models he looks up to in the often gruelling showbiz industry.
In an interview with Cebu press, Ruru shared how he admires Dingdong Dantes, and would like to take a similar path as the Kapuso Primetime King.
“When it comes to career, and sa life po, siguro masasabi ko si Kuya Dong. Kumbaga, hindi lang siya naging actor, hindi lang siya nag-improve as an actor but businessman rin sya, nagpro-produce siya, nagdi-direct siya. Parang lahat ng pinapangarap ko pagdating ng araw, nasa kanya,” Ruru muses.
Last year, Ruru has had the pleasure of working with Dingdong during the second season of “Alyas Robinhood.” Ruru learned a lot from the experience, allowing him to know more about the husband of Marian Rivera.
“Working with Kuya Dong, hindi mo mararamdaman na Primetime King siya. Pagdating sa trabaho, siya yung tipong kapag naka-tengga siya, wala siyang ginagawa, lalabas siya sa standby area niya para makipagkwentuhan. Mararamdaman mo na responsible siya sa lahat ng artista niya. Hindi lang siya actor,” explains Ruru.
Coming into the industry as a finalist in GMA-7’s reality show “Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break,” Ruru also adds Dennis Trillo to his role model list. He would also like to work on roles as diverse and challenging as Dennis’ arsenal of characters.
“Open naman po ako sa mga ganyang bagay,” Ruru replies when asked if he would like to portray a challenging role, say, similar to Dennis’ gay character in “My Husband’s Lover.”
“Siyempre, being an actor, mahirap tumanggi sa ganyan kasi opportunity na rin po yun. Basta alam ko po sa sarili ko na kakayanin ko,” Ruru quips.
The actor also shares how he has always wanted to become a soldier, but since becoming an actor, he has been looking forward to taking roles which would require him to portray one.
The “Encantadia” star admits that his priority at the moment is definitely his career. Which is why he’s working extra hard to put on a good show as he stars in the titular role of GMA primetime series “Sherlock Jr.”
Many were surprised when the network revealed a “Sherlock Holmes” spinoff as one of their 2018 offerings, wondering how they were going to pull off the themes discussed in the classic works of British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
But Ruru explains the stark difference between their version of this retelling and the well-known adventures of fictional private detective and high-functioning sociopath Sherlock Holmes.
“‘Sherlock Jr.’ is a light, action, drama, comedy, everything show. Eto kasi, masasabi natin na sobrang light lang. Kasi feeling ko masyado na tayo na-aano sa mga mabibigat. Nadre-drain na tayo sa kaiiyak sa napapanood natin. Ito yung magbo-boost sa ego mo. Light lang ang pakiramdam mo. Parang kapag sinasabi natin na Robinhood, ibig sabihin vigilante, tumutulong sa mga tao. Yung Sherlock, nagi-investigate. Malayo po siya sa ‘Sherlock’ ng BBC o sa mga pelikula,” Ruru explains.
Directed by Rechie del Carmen, “Sherlock Jr.” also stars Gabbi Garcia, Matt Evans, Tonton Gutierrez, Aiai Delas Alas, and Serena the Wonder Dog – a female golden retriever voiced by Mikee Quintos.
Debuting last January 29, “Sherlock Jr.” revolves around investigative reporter Sherlock “Jack” Jackson, Jr., who never backs out from solving mysteries. A good son and brother, Jack also loves his girlfriend, Irene Manansala, portrayed by Janine Gutierrez. Despite being an orphan, Irene finds love and belongingness with Jack and her dog Siri.
All is well until curiosity gets the better of Irene, a lifestyle reporter, and her newfound friend Lily Pelaez (Gabbi), a jolly and bubbly veterinary clinic assistant who wants a shot at fame and so joins contests and pageants to achieve that. The quest for truth leads Irene and Lily to trouble. Determined to find out what happened to the ladies, Jack, alongside Irene’s pet dog Siri, solve mysteries one after the other.
Obviously, the series is indeed different from the Sherlock Holmes films and BBC series. Ruru says that “Sherlock Jr.” offers to cheer people up with its light themes, but also provides entertainment through the mysteries they solve, as well as the action and realities that come with it.
As Ruru explores this new role, he also got to overcome a childhood trauma in the process. Ruru was bit by a dog when he was still a kid, and had developed a fear of them as he grew up. He must have been anxious about it, but he says that Serena the Wonder Dog helped him get over his fears. He has now learned to love those canines.
“Sobrang takot ako sa dogs before, kasi nung bata ako nakagat ako ng aso. And ewan ko, nadala ko na hanggang sa tumanda ako. Hanggang sa nakilala ko si Serena. Na love at first sight ako sa kanya kasi sobrang lambing, sobrang talino. Every time nakikita ko siya, siya ang source of happiness ko. Kaya gustong-gusto ko kapag may taping para makita ko siya,” Ruru shares.
In the show, Ruru and Serena didn’t get a long initially. But when Irene gets into trouble, the two team up to get to the bottom of the mystery. And between solving crimes, Serena’s character is always there to rush to Ruru’s aid first. Eventually, the two grow to love each other.
“Actually parang wala [problems]. Sobrang talino po kasi ni Serena. Hindi po kami nahihirapan, kasi nakikisama rin naman po siya,” Ruru begins when asked how difficult it can be to share the screen with a dog.
“Nasasanay na po ako kapag may eksena kami. Parang naiiba yung atake mo sa character pag siya yung ka-eksena mo. Kinakaya naman po kahit medyo nakaka-distract kapag kumikilos siya.”
Ruru says it’s a big thing to have a pet on set, saying that Serena adds so much more color to their already very lively and enjoyable atmosphere.
Aside from Ruru and Serena’s tandem, Ruru says that “Sherlock Jr.” will also have viewers thinking via the issues discussed in Jack’s investigations, laughing with its humor, and learning about family, friendships and relationships.
Reuniting with love team partner Gabbi in “Sherlock Jr.”, Ruru likewise commented on all the negative stories that have cropped up about the actress’ character such as being a diva and verbally abusive towards him
“Siguro, si Gab masyado siyang totoo sa ginagawa niya, sa sinasabi niya, and her expressions,” defends Ruru. “Parang minsan, na ne-negative siya dahil soon pero mas okay na yung ganoon kesa tinatago yung totoong siya.”