How JC gets by amid uncertain times

For actors and entertainers, you can only consider yourself lucky to score a project these days which is why JC de Vera still feels blessed despite struggling to get by because of the pandemic and the shutdown of his home network ABS-CBN.

The 34-year-old actor is part of an upcoming movie project called Escape from Mamasapano. It’s the maiden presentation of Borracho Films, the movie outfit owned by lawyer Atty. Ferdinand Topacio. 

According to JC, the plot is based on true incidents that took place in January 2015. Co-starring with him in this action-drama vehicle are Aljur Abrenica, Edu Manzano, Mikey Arroyo, Ritz Azul, Tonton Gutierrez, and Claudine Barretto.

“The film’s principal photography will officially start in August. Our location will be in Batangas and Cavite. Lawrence Fajardo is the director,” he shares in a recent interview.

Once film production is allowed, JC will be away from his partner Rikkah Cruz and their two-year-old daughter for a considerable length of time.

“I had to tell and prepare my family that I would be away as I’ll get busy shooting the project. For one, it’s for practical reasons,” he explains.

In the current situation of the showbiz industry, JC is not ashamed to admit that he needs to work to be able to bring food to the table, so to speak.

“Apart of course from the fact that I miss acting, I have to be practical. I accepted this movie because I have bills to pay. There’s the electric and water bill and monthly amortizations which are regular concerns of other people as well. I just want to be true to myself,” JC points out.

For him, it has become a big factor that his family got worried about how they’re going to pay their financial responsibilities. Although he’s been investing his earnings to secure his family’s future, the COVID-19 pandemic and the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise just made things difficult for him.

“The payables accumulated. So, what’s best to do is face the fear and continue moving forward. We just can’t let the pandemic get the better of us. We have to move forward. We have to go back to work or else, life becomes stagnant,” he ends. 

* * *

Kapamilya actor John Prats is a proud father once again. He and wife Isabel Oli are recently blessed with another baby girl whom they named Forest. Their two other children are Feather and Freedom. 

What makes things different this time was that Isabel gave birth without John by her side, unlike her first two deliveries. The actor was busy with Ang Probinsyano, which had a lock-in taping following post-ECQ guidelines for TV production.

On July 26, John posted on his social media account a photo in which he is seen holding the tiny foot of his newborn daughter. 

“At last, I was able to hold you! (praying hands emoji) Hello Baby Forest! (pine tree emoji),” his caption read.