Zanjoe Marudo wants to become a versatile actor like Christopher de Leon

Rachelle Siazon

<div><img src='' alt='121912-zanjoe_main.jpg' width='305' height='290' align='left' border='0'>Zanjoe Marudo admitted that he was a bit nervous working with Angel Locsin, Angelica Panganiban, and Dingdong Dantes who all entered showbiz before he did. While his co-stars have had more experience in the drama department, Zanjoe maintained that he’s equally proud of his performance in their movie <i>One More Try</i>.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Yung tatlo sanay na sa mga ganyang klaseng</i> project.<i> Dumadaan na lang sa kanila ‘yan. Maganda na rin yung</i> challenge<i> na yun. Kumbaga ito yung una kong pelikula na</i> heavy<i> talaga, hindi basta basta ang </i>role, <i>yung walang halong</i> light <i>kahit konti. Matagal ko na rin naman hinihintay na magkaroon ng ganitong klaseng</i> project. <i>Medyo nakatulong na uhaw na ako sa ganung klaseng </i>role,” he said during his recent solo press con for <i>One More Try</i>.</div><div><br/></div><div>In the movie, he plays the role of Tristan who suffers in silence while his girlfriend is forced to renew her ties with an ex-boyfriend in order to save the life of a dying child. When asked how he was able to deliver his role, Zanjoe gave credit to director Ruel Bayani for bringing out the best in him for this project. “<i>Ang maganda dun tama yung</i> casting<i> na ginawa ni</i> Direk, <i>bumagay yung hitsura ng </i>characters, <i>hindi mo na kailangan iarte. Kung sinong bagay sa</i> character<i> yun ang kinuhang artista, </i>so<i> ang gagawin mo na lang yung</i> [<i>ipakita yung tamang</i>]<i> emosyon</i>. And <i>dahil napakagaling ng</i> director <i>mag-</i>explain <i>ng mga sitwasyon ng mga eksena, kapag nakinig ka,</i> anytime <i>magagawa mo na e. Yung mga kasama mo pa ganon din. Kapag pinagsama-sama lahat, ang ganda ng kalalabasan ng eksena</i>.”</div><div><br/></div><div>Incidentally, Zanjoe received a lot of positive feedback for his portrayal of a gay man in the romantic comedy 24/7 In Love. So he was really grateful that he would be able to showcase his versatility as an actor by doing a drama movie this time around. “<i>Yun ang nakakatuwa, magkasunod na magkasunod siya. Yung dating iniisip ko na gusto kong mangyari, nangyari nung patapos ang taon. Yung 24/7 In Love nag</i>-portray <i>ako na bading. Tapos bigla ako kakambyo ng </i>heavy drama. <i>Kung mag</i>-work <i>siya, maganda para sa akin kasi magkadikit na magkadikit at naipakita ko yung ibang klaseng </i>roles.” </div><div><br/></div><div>Although he wants to establish himself as a serious actor, Zanjoe said that he has no intention of leaving Banana Split. Aside from the fact that it doesn’t take too much of his time, he said that it helps enhance once versatility as an actor. “<i>Yun naman ang gusto ko, ang mapatunayan na pwede naman tayo magpatawa, pwede rin naman tayo magdrama. Dati naman ganon</i>—<i>sina </i>Jay Ilagan, Christopher de Leon, Johnny Delgado—<i>mga komedyante lahat ‘yan e, pero kapag nagdrama wagas, ang titindi, ang gagaling. Sana bumalik yung ganon, na ang artista dapat hindi lang isa ang ginagawa, dapat pwede sa lahat.</i>”</div>

Zanjoe Marudo talks about his dramatic performance in 'One More Try' and his plans to do more challenging roles next year.

Zanjoe Marudo wants to become a versatile actor like Christopher de Leon | PUSH.COM.PH