Moments before Angelica Panganiban bagged the Best Actress award at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival, John Lloyd Cruz couldn’t be any prouder of his girlfriend who headlined her first indie movie titled Ang Alamat ni China Doll.

“Siyempre kahit hindi siya manalo, masayang-masaya na ako na natapos niya ang pelikula. Pinagdaan niya kung ano ‘yung journey ng paggawa [ng indie movie] kasi sobrang ibang-iba daw. Natutuwa ako kasi ako hindi ko pa nararanasan. Meron akong isang ginawa long, long time ago pero hindi yata magkaka-count kasi one day lang ‘yun. Pero para sa kanya naranasan niya ‘yung full length na indie movie, don pa lang masayang-masaya na ako, what more pa kung manalo siya,” John Lloyd said in an interview backstage of the awards show with Push.com.ph and Cinema News last November 16 at the Dolphy Theater.

When asked if he was interested in starring in an indie movie himself, the award-winning actor commented that he’s open to it. However, he stressed that he needs to fulfill first his commitments with ABS-CBN before venturing into other projects.

“Ang lagi ko namang sinasabi diyan na parang siyempre ‘yung when you have a contract with the network, you have to prioritize sa schedule and all. Parang siyempre ‘yung oras mo kailangan mo silang i-prioritize, pero hindi ako sarado [sa indie movie]. Siyempre hindi mo naman pwedeng isara kahit kanino sa ano mang bagay.”

On doing offbeat characters which indie films are known for, John Lloyd relayed that he’s all up for it. But more than doing unique roles, the actor is looking forward to meeting more people in the movie industry and learning from them once given the chance to star in an indie film.

“Wala namang problema [kung gumawa ako ng risky roles]. ‘Yung gay role nagawan na rin natin ‘yung nandito tayo sa loob ng Star Cinema. Pero hindi lang naman siya venue para makagawa ka ng something outrageous and something out-of-the-box or something na gumawa ka ng something na totally off-beat eh. Hindi naman lang siya ganon eh. Parang naniniwala naman ako na magandang venue din siya para mas marami kang taong makakakilala, mas lumalawak ‘yung kaalaman mo, mas enriching siya sa pagkatao both personally and professionally so bukod sa pagkakataong makagawa ng roles na kakaiba, also I’m looking into mga bagong magiging kaibigan, mga bagong magiging katrabaho,” he remarked.