JM DE GUZMAN first captured our attention in “Last Supper No. 3.”, a 2009 Cinemalaya entry. ABS-CBN then signed him up and cast in several soaps, notably in “Angelito, Batang Ama”.
On the big screen, his biggest hit was the 2015 Cinema One romance with Angelica Panganiban, “That Thing Called Tadhana”.
JM is no doubt a very competent drama actor. He could have achieved greater heights if he had not been into substance obvious.
It’s common knowledge that he had to stop his career twice to go into rehab. It’s good he’s always given a second chance.
Now, 34 years old, he admits he was so impulsive when he was younger. He loses his equanimity when in love.
“I now admit that when I was younger, masyado akong impulsive at hindi ko pinapairal ang utak ko,” he says. “Kasi nga, sobra talaga akong magmahal, to the point na nakakalimutan ko ang sarili ko.
"Maraming sad consequences, pero marami rin akong natutunan na reyalidad sa naging experiences ko sa sarili ko. I really went crazy because of love. Bata pa ako noon pero nasa level ka na ng ‘siya na ang gusto kong pakasalan at gusto kong makasama habangbuhay’.
"Ganun katindi. Tapos bigla siyang mawawala. Masakit, sobrang masakit. Parang hindi mo alam ang gagawin mo, kunsaan mo ibabaling ang pagmamahal na para sa kanya.”
The girl broke up with him and he couldn’t take it. Although he didn’t mention her name, it’s an open book that he had a much talked about breakup then with co-Star Magic colleague Jessy Mendiola, who is now married to Luis Manzano and already has a baby daughter.
“Sa sobrang sakit, I tend to self-destruct, hurt myself, destroy myself, to destroy my career,” he recalls. “Lahat nang maabot ng kamay ko sisirain ko.
"Hindi ako nananakit, sarili ko lang ang sinasaktan. Umabot ako sa point na gano’n. As a result, hindi na ako nabibigyan ng work.
"I was rehabilitated. Natanggal lahat ng privileges ko. From the simple cell phone, ilang years wala ako nun.
"TV, newspaper, wala ako lahat niyan for four years. Doon ko na-realize ‘yung mga simpleng bagay na kailangan kong ma-appreciate.
"What more ‘yung mga blessings na maraming nagke-crave na ibinigay sa akin,pero sinasayang ko lang. I had many regrets, pero siyempre hanggang nabibigyan ako ng pagkakataon, bawi lang ako nang bawi.”
And he is so fortunate that Viva Films is giving him another chance in a new movie that is appropriately titled “Adik Sa’Yo”, which is showing cinemas nationwide starting April 19.
As can be gleaned from the title, “Adik Sa’Yo” is about addiction. Didn’t JM have second thoughts about accepting the role since it requires him to play a drug addict.
“No, not at all,” he says. “Alam naman ng mga tao ang pinagdaanan ko and I think this movie will help others open their eyes to the evils of substance abuse.
"As Paolo, my character goes in and out of rehab centers and the story shows that being addicted to anything can be a bad habit, be it drugs, expensive material things or any other vice.
"Anything that goes overboard, basta sumobra, cannot be good. Everything should be done in moderation.”
He is paired with Cindy Miranda for the first time. How is it?
"Sa look test, pareho kaming tahimik. But sa shoot, I saw she's very professional.
"Nakita ko kung gaano niya kamahal ang trabaho niya kaya we got along fine. I wish we could work together again."
How about Direk Nuel Naval?
"He has directed me in 'Maalaala Mo Kaya' and I like it na kalmado lang siya. He gives you his trust and freedom as an actor.
In the movie, his leading lady, Cindy Miranda as Joy is also addicted, not to drugs but to JM as Paolo himself.
They have been very best friends for the longest time, but for Joy, it’s not just friendship but a deep love for Paolo that borders to addiction.
The film shows that even worse than being addicted to something is being addicted to someone.
Loving a person too much to the point of obsession might make you happy but if the object of your affection is not reciprocating it, then it will surely break your heart and your whole being more than addiction to substance ever would.
“Adik Sa’Yo” is from the same writer and director team that gave us the heartwarming hit in the Metro-Manila Filmfest last December, sreenwriter Mel Mendoza-del Rosario and Nuel Naval, who also did the crowd-pleasing hits “Miracle in Cell No. 7” and “More Than Blue”.
Also in the movie are Meg Imperial, Nicole Omillo, Candy Pangilinan, Mayton Eugenio, Minnie Aguilar and Andrew Muhlach.
Don't miss 'ADIK SA'YO' when it opens in theaters nationwide on April 19, right after the summer filmfest!!!!
