JUAN RODRIGO feels fortunate to have worked with the country’s best directors. “Lahat sila, nakatrabaho ko na, the late Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Marilou Abaya, Mario O’Hara and Celso Ad Castillo, also Mike de Leon, and I learned from each of them,” he says. “Sa batch nila, si Laurice Guillen lang ang hindi ko pa nakatrabaho, so sana, I’ll be given the chance to work with her since nagdidirek din siya ng soaps. Buti pa nga yung anak niya, si Ina Feleo, nakatrabaho ko na.”
He’s also happy to have worked with the country’s best actresses. “Sa awa ng Diyos, nakatrabaho ko rin sina Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Hilda Koronel, Lorna Tolentino and Gina Alajar. Napakalaking blessing talaga for me to have been given the chance to work with the country’s best directors and actresses.”
After working in two regular TV shows that both just ended, “Mulawin Vs. Ravena” and “Trops”, Juan now plays the father in the dramatization of the famous Biblical story, the Prodigal Son, with young actors Jeric Gonzales in the title role and Martin del Rosario as the good son.
“Ako yung tatay na mabait at mapagpatawad,” he says. “Naglayas si Jeric matapos makuha ang mamanahin sa akin, pero naghirap siya at bumalik, tinanggap ko pa rin. Si Martin naman, na-misunderstood akong hindi ko siya mahal. I’m happy to be part of this show that aims to introduce the stories of the Bible to our younger generation. Modernized version ito para mas madaling maintindihan ng mga kabataan ngayon. Sana, magustuhan nila at mag-iwan sa kanila ng magandang mensahe ang kuwento ng Prodigal Son.”
How is it working with today’s young stars? “Okay naman, kasi maganda ang attitude nila sa work, hindi pasaway. I’m just happy na after several decades in the industry, narito pa rin ako at hindi nawawalan ng project. I also do theatre work every now and then kaya hindi ako nababakante.”