Take it from a star who has jumped from one network to another—timing is everything. For John Carlo “JC” de Vera, it doesn’t only take guts to defy the odds but also proper timing.
JC was offered a basketball scholarship at Colegio de San Juan de Letran after his high school graduation in Colegio San Agustin-Makati. But all that changed after he was snatched by showbiz. And it took him 10 years of hard work to be where he is today.
From being a Kapuso in 2003 where he was named GMA’s Drama Prince to being a Kapatid (in TV 5) in 2010 to being a Kapamilya (ABS-CBN) in 2013 via the primetime series “The Legal Wife” and afternoon soap “Moon of Desire,” there is no stopping this young gentleman from rising to the top.
JC was recently in Cebu as Tomato Time’s male endorser at the opening of Tomato Time’s Ayala Center Cebu branch. Suitably, he was wearing a timepiece that has become a testament to the importance of timeliness in achieving fame and fortune.
What’s keeping you busy these days?
Kakatapos ko lang ng movie with Regal Films—“Shake, Rattle and Roll” for Metro Manila Film Festival. Then ‘yung sa Star Cinema, with Gerald Anderson and Julia Montes. It still has no definite date for showing dahil we are still shooting pa. Next month magsa-start na ako shooting for a soap which is also pang primetime with Jessy Mendiola. Family-oriented ‘yung story.
How difficult was the transition from GMA to TV 5 and now, ABS-CBN?
Medyo tiring dahil naghahanap pa ako ng identity din di ba? From GMA dun ako nag start siyempre hindi pa ako ganun ka-mature. Then I transferred to TV5 where dun ako nakapag-explore ng craft ko, kasi acting-wise, binigyan nila ako ng opportunity na ma-meet ‘yung mga roles na dapat ko ma-meet. Tapos pag-transfer ko na sa ABS-CBN, doon na ‘yung fully mature na ako, na parang tapos na ako sa stages na nag-explore ako. Sa ABS puro mature roles na ang binibigay sa akin so done na ako sa mga pa-cute.
Can you say that you’ve already arrived now that you’re with ABS-CBN?
Yes. Although there were followers nung nag GMA pa ako tapos sa TV 5 maganda naman ‘yung projects na ibinigay sa akin, so same din ‘yung followers from GMA, nag-transfer din sa TV5. Then fortunately mas dumami pa nung nag transfer na ako sa ABS-CBN.
What’s your current passion?
Mahirap pa sabihin now that I am with ABS-CBN dahil I would like to say na gusto ko sana acting, pero with them kasi every project na binibigay sa akin palaging very challenging ‘eh. So sinasabi ko na yes nag-mature na ako pero bumabalik pa rin ako sa pagiging student, continuous pa rin ‘yung workshops. So as a student ang dami ko pang natutunan, dami ko pang nami-meet na mga tao. Well, hopefully magiging passion ko talaga ‘yung acting, ‘cause ‘yun din talaga ang gusto ko. Pero hindi ko pa talaga masabi na ‘yun na kasi syempre am already in an age na alanganin na. Gusto rin na mag-save, gusto rin magka-family and mag-business. Parang quarter-life crisis eh!
Have you done gay roles?
Wala pa eh. Nahihirapan ako gawin siya.
Who is managing your career?
Co-managed ako ngayon with Star Magic. Tita Annabelle (Rama) managed me until TV 5, so that would almost be 10 years with her.
Let’s talk about you being the brand ambassador for Tomato Time watches. Is it true that you have been wearing their watches even before you became an endorser?
Yes. Kasi ever since hindi ako fan ng mga expensive watches. Okay ako sa mga watch na maganda ‘yung style—‘yung classy pero not mahal. Very affordable ang Tomato Time, tapos pwede ko pa gamitin sa work. At depende sa role, may specific watch ang Tomato Time na pwede kong gamitin. Meron akong pang casual lang, tapos for my get-up now, I have one for it (showing his watch).
You’re a watch person?
Yeah! Hindi pwedeng wala. I’m more into its functionality not just style. I have to say na prior to being their endorser meron na talaga akong Tomato Time watch.
If you were a Tomato Time watch, what specific design would you be?
Actually ‘yung suot ko now—the Camden. Kasi ganito na talaga ako mag attire ‘eh—kahit sa mall or sa party. Ito ‘yung favorite ko because of the gold frame. And aside from that, talagang affordable siya and more pa ‘yung quality niya. I like the gold frame kasi nagmumukha siyang classy.
Would you consider giving a watch to a girlfriend?
Yeah! Maganda siya pang gift kasi nga affordable siya hindi naman talaga kailangang expensive ‘yung gift.
Have you actually given one?
Ngayon, wala pa. Family ko pa ang nabibigyan ko. Hopefully, magkaroon. I’ve been single for over a year now.
Are you enjoying being single?
Mahirap pumili sa ABS! Ang dami nila!
Who is your latest crush in ABS-CBN?
Si Maja Salvador kasi naka-work ko na sa “The Legal Wife.” Tapos ngayon answered prayer uli si Jessy Mendiola, kasi nung nag-transfer ako tinanong nila ako kung sino ‘yung gusto ko tapos sabi ko talaga si Jessy.
Who among the senior actors do you look up to?
Si Richard Gomez, Christopher de Leon at Joel Torre. Pero on top talaga is Richard Gomez dahil siya talaga ‘yung gusto kong gayahin.
Who are your friends in showbiz?
Si Maja, si Erich, si Jessy. Isa ako sa masuswerteng artista na maganda ‘yung support system. Hindi ako naghahanap ng support system sa industry. May maganda akong family. Meron akong very, very supportive na friends. Meron akong food business, with friends as partners.
How do you unwind after a day’s work?
With a massage. Pero major alone time ko talaga is a workout—mag-gym, mag basketball. Anything, basta sports-related, and automatic naman yata sa lahat ‘yung mag-beach.
Do you dive also?
Takot ako. Pang-snorkeling lang ako.
What’s in your bucket list?
Gusto kong mag-travel around the world. I have been to the US pero one-week lang ako nun eh! Hindi siya vacation.
Are you into selfies? Do you have Instagram?
I’m not into selfies. I have Instagram!
How were you discovered?
Basketball player ako dati tapos ready na ‘yung scholarship ko para sa isang school para collegiate league. Kaso sabay siya, ‘yung offer ng basketball and sa showbusiness.
Is there a part of your body na hindi mo masyadong gusto?
Wala naman. Hindi naman ako maarte. Alam ko na maliit ako. Okay lang ako.
Who are the singers that you listen to?
Seriously, si Wiz Khalifa. More on alternative rock ako, and now with Spotify, it’s making things more convenient. Pipili ka lang any genre like if you feel like listening to jazz, or others.
What’s your beauty regimen?
Hindi ako mahilig magpa-derma but meron akong endorsement na derma, and ang advice nila sa akin, since ayaw ko talagang magpa-facial, meron akong itini-take na glutathione capsules na galing talaga sa derma ko. Sabi niya na kung ayaw kong bumalik-balik in a week, ‘yun na lang. At least pag-gising ko, ‘yun na lang.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how vain are you?
Seven. Gusto ko neat looking lang. Hindi ako rugged, hindi ako very formal. Classic lang.
What’s your favorite perfume?
Dolce and Gabbana Light, for women. Sobrang sweet kasi nung scent na kahit babae or lalaki, pleasing. Mahilig ako sa babaeng perfume.
Is it also as a come-on for the opposite sex?
Siguro. Pero hindi ko siya inisip na ganun. Halimbawa ngayon ang gamit ko Chanel. Amoy fresh kasi! Ayoko nung amoy lalake, amoy araw. Gusto ko fresh.
How much time do you spend in the shower?
Quick lang. Ten to 15 minutes.
During a shooting or taping’s waiting time, how do you amuse yourself?
First I mingle with the people on the set. Meron akong iPad where I watch movies. Minsan I read books if mahaba talaga ‘yung waiting time. Or sometimes, sleep ka na lang.
What was the last book you read?
Yung book ni Forrest Griffin, MMA fighter siya. Tapos, ‘yung biography ni Michael Jordan.
And the last movie you’ve seen on the wide screen?
“The Trial.” Very satisfied ako dun sa binayad ko. Para sa local movie na ganun, mataas na ang level of standard nila. Although siyempre not for everyone kasi R-13 siya ‘eh, pero good siya para sa industry. At least nagse-set siya ng standard na ganito dapat ‘yung quality ng films natin.
If there’s one thing that you’d like to share to the public, what would it be?
Uhm, I go to church. My favorite saint is Saint Augustine. What else? Most of the time people think na I am tahimik and suplado, pero in truth hindi naman. Relaks lang ako.
PHOTOS BY DR. FRANCIS XAVIER SOLIS
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