JM de Guzman in role as teen dad: ‘Mag-isip bago kumilos’
Playing his most challenging role yet as a teenage dad in his new TV drama, young actor JM de Guzman said both his role and the TV series can help educate the youth about young parenthood and their responsibilities.
Playing the lead in ABS-CBN’s newest afternoon drama, “Angelito: Batang Ama,” JM said he interviewed young parents and realized how the obligations of early parenthood robbed them of their youth.
“Sa akin, sana i-enjoy lang muna nila yung pagkabata, at the same time, i-exercise nila yung responsibility nila. Kailangan mag-isip muna bago kumilos, instead of being compulsive,” JM said at the press conference Thursday of his new drama.
His role is timely, he added. “Sa panahon ngayon, madaming naliligaw ng landas, nadadapa at nagkaka-anak ng maaga. So dito sa role na pinagkatiwala sa akin, nabigyan ako ng chance to deliver the message sa mga bata na hindi pa nadadapa.”
Double the challenge
While he was one of the leads in the remake of the soap “Mula Sa Puso,” his title role in “Angelito: Batang Ama” puts the pressure of making the soap a success squarely on him alone.
But, it is a challenge he has been waiting for. “Sa tingin ko, napapanahon na rin po. Matagal rin po ako naghintay para mabigyan ng ganitong opportunity. Sa pagtitiwala sa akin, binibigay ko ang best ko kasi andito (sa acting) ang passion ko,” JM said.
JM first starred in the mini-series “Midnight Phantom,” followed by other TV dramas such as “Kristine” and “Mula sa Puso.” He also appeared in the movies “My Amnesia Girl” and the indie hit, “Babae sa Septic Tank.”
For his role as an 18-year-old dad, the 23-year-old actor took acting workshops with director Laurice Guillen who also had the cast interview young parents.
Planning in advance for parenthood
Asked what he would do if he fathered a baby in real life, JM replied, “Ayaw ko naman na yung anak ko sa paglaki niya malaman niya na tinakwil ko siya. So, paninindigan ko yung bata.”
JM said he wants to be fully prepared when he becomes a parent.
“Ngayong wala pa, pinaplano ko na bago siya dumating, nakaayos na lahat, stable na ako, naka-ipon na ako. Siyempre, hindi rin naman ako galing sa mayaman na pamilya, dumaan rin ako sa hirap, gusto ko yung magiging anak ko hindi mararanasan yung mga pinagdaanan ko,” JM said.
Joining JM in “Angelito: Batang Ama” are Charee Pineda, Elizabeth Oropesa, Snooky Serna, Kaye Abad, Tom Rodriguez, Ina Feleo, Matt Evans, Felix Roco, Sam Concepcion and Devon Seron. The series begins airing on Nov. 14 on ABS-CBN.
