To submit a magazine or news article, please email it at bea.online@gmail.com - thank you. ^ Star Studio: The "it" couple May 06, 2003 They might not be real lovers but in the minds of their thousand of fans, they want John Lloyd and Bea to be no less than this. It’s ten o’clock at night at the mostly-deserted Restaurant 9501 of the new ABS-CBN building. And, while the lights may be dimming all around us, there’s no mistaking the fact that figurative spotlights are starting up all around my two companions for the night, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Better known as their teleserye counterparts “Yuri Orvida” and “Katrina Argos,” John Lloyd and Bea are easily TV’s most swoon-worthy couple of the season, with fans literally hanging on to every word and gesture of their star-crossed romance in ABS-CBN ‘s hit Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay. Despite the fact that both barely knew each other at the time if Kay Tagal’s initial story conference, the two have built up such a strong chemistry and fan following that they could very easily be described as this year’s new Jericho and Kristine. The first surprising thing about the pair is that, unlike their dramatic counterparts, John Lloyd and Bea are teenagers – and tease each other like so. Known for his intense acting ability that, before Kay Tagal, was mostly known only to fans of his endearing Rovic in Tabing Ilog, the surprising funny and charming John Lloyd Cruz is, at 19, already establishing himself as one of today’s rising young star. And he’s certainly paid his dues – while Bea teases him about being “19 going on 39,” John Lloyd has a resume that very few if his contemporaries can top, stretching back to past shows shows as Gimik, Palibhasa Lalake and Kaybol. Meanwhile, polite, girlish, British-born Bea is a 15-year-old who, as John Lloyd gleefully points out, hasn’t even had a boyfriend yet. “In fact, she’s never even had a first kiss before,” says John Lloyd, getting the ball rolling and earning himself a slap on the back from a giggling Bea as he launches into what shall term “Flirt Mode.” “She has crushes, though. Actually, I’d tell you who it is….” “Stop that,” says Bea. John Lloyd gives her a naughty grin and pretends to talk to the tape recorder. “You want to know it is, recorder? I would tell you, but what will you give me in return?” So what is the secret of their hot on-TV chemistry? John Lloyd searches for an answer. “Yung chemistry – you don’t plan it,” he answers. “Yung mga moments namin – yung mga almost kiss that didn’t happen – that intrigues people.” “Saka siguro lalabas lang yon,” Bea says, adding, “And when you’re in your character’s mind, you don’t really plan for what you do. It’s character that’s on, not you. I become Katrina, and and it’s her emotions that come out through me. Kapag wala na kami sa character, like now or at a pictorial, hirap kami. When he’s not Yuri, nakakailang. We have all looked through the script and story pages just to make ourselves prepared in case there’s kissing scene or whatever.” “Believe it or not,” adds John Lloyd, “she has no remotely similar experience to draw on for Katrina, so talagang hirap siya to do a scene na medyo ganoon ang demands sa kanya, na sensual or romantic. Ako naman, I’m very much willing to help…to teach…” Nonplussed, Bea interjects to this writer, “Gurang na ‘yan, eh” But John Lloyd is on a roll.”… I can help with your thoughts, your imagination… we can travel together, you know.” Giggles erupt even on neighboring tables. Bea recovers first, as she explains how the Yuri-Katrina romance slowly dawned upon her. “In the first story conference for the show, we were told na magiging couple daw sina Yuri at yung character ko, but hindi naming alam how soon it was going to be. Or if it was happening at all.” “Akala ko rin before yung kina Yuri at Kyla (Dimples Romana) ang mangyayari eventually,” adds John Lloyd. “Or yung sa amin ni Helaena (Rica Peralejo). Yun pala tuloy-tuloy na. It was very suprising.” Both admit that their popularity stems mainly from being the beneficiaries of a very strong story arc - which certainly validates John Lloyd Cruz’ assertion, “It’s the mystery between the characters that hooks people in. Yun bang, although they think they know each other, they don’t, and something could happen anytime to tear them apart.” It’s no secret to John Lloyd’s fans that Ciara Sotto in his girlfriend in real life. “One of the great things about my girl,” he explains “is that since she’s an actor as well , and since she grew up in showbiz, she understands na being those scenes with Bea is part of my job. In fact, before ko in-accept yung offer, pinag-usapan muna naming. And we both came to the conclusion that this was just part of being an actor, that if you love your craft, you understand your choices. Lucky for me, Ciara’s an intelligent girl.” But despite the fact that teleserye sets tend to breed romances like nothing else (Claudine-Rico, and the aforementioned Jericho-Kristine are just two examples), John Lloyd and Bea are taken aback at the idea of letting reel life bleed over real. “Naku, masyado pa po akong bata!”exclaims Bea, who insists she and John Lloyd are just (let’s say it together now) verygood friends. “Si John kasi parang matanda na siya…” “Of course not!” John Lloyd exclaims mock-offended. Bea tries to correct herself. “Hindi, talaga, seryoso po kasi siya, eh, parang ang lalim ng iniisip palagi kahit inaasar ka na niya.” John Lloyd eventually concurs, and adds that yes, the romance angle of Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay did give him pause at one point out of consideration for Ciara. Source: Star Studio May 2003 Issue, Amy Mosura Copyright © 2003-2004 -- Beautiful. All rights reserved. Hosted by Diaryland.com.