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John-Joven Uy

Jude Cartalaba

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757329491528IMG_20250907_154058.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">John-Joven Uy plays Bill Devaney in &#x27;The Bodyguard: The Musical.&#x27; <em>Handout</em></span></span></span>For John-Joven Uy, playing Bill Devaney in “The Bodyguard: The Musical” is more than just another role — it’s a chance to embody the loyalty, warmth, and steady presence that anchors the show’s central characters.</div><p>A former “Miss Saigon” cast member and a seasoned theater actor, Uy steps into the father-figure manager who shapes and safeguards superstar Rachel Marron’s world, all while bringing his own decades of experience and artistry to the Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical production.</p><p>“I’m more than just Rachel’s manager,” Uy says of his character. “I’m part of her foundation. I helped build her career and watched her bloom into the powerhouse she is today. I’ve also been a father figure to Fletcher, her son, helping raise him with care.</p><p>“And Nicki? She’s family, too. I’ve seen Rachel evolve into a strong, charismatic, and incredibly talented woman. My role isn’t just professional, it’s personal. I’ll do everything I can to protect her and make sure she gets what she wants and deserves.”</p><p>While the role is non-singing and non-dancing, the committed Uy approaches it with the same rigor he brings to his musical performances.</p><p>“Offstage, I dive deep into my lines, my intentions, and the emotional layers of my character. I also observe my co-actors, their rhythm, their energy; so I can respond authentically to what they’re feeling,” he says. “It’s all about staying present and reactive, even when I’m not the one speaking.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>No formal training</strong></div><p>A multi-faceted artist, Uy once worked as a chef and a flight attendant for United Airlines in Chicago and San Francisco from 1997 to 1999. He credits his growth as a performer not to formal training, but to his passion for music and the encouragement of those who believed in his talent.</p><p>‘I don’t have a formal mentor or coach, but I’ve always been a sponge for inspiration,” he reveals. “I grew up watching movies and listening to all kinds of music, and I still do. When preparing for a role, I do deep research through reading, watching, and observing.</p><p>“I memorize my lines early so I can start shaping the character’s personality and understanding their emotional core. That process itself keeps me grounded and inspired.”</p><p>His favorite past stage roles include Ibarra in “Noli Me Tangere,” Orly in “Himala: The Musical,” and Capt. Von Trapp in “The Sound of Music.” On TV, he has appeared in “Pamilya Sagrado” and “Sanggre.”</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:300px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1757329439629_DSF9180_edit_31003568248067.jpg" style="width:300px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">John-Joven Uy plays Bill Devaney in &#x27;The Bodyguard: The Musical.&#x27;<em> Handout</em></span></span></span>For Uy, “The Bodyguard” is also a reunion with former “Miss Saigon” colleagues — he played Thuy in in Stuttgart from 1995 tp 1996 —  including cast member Lorenz Martinez, assistant director Raul Montesa, choreographer Arnold Trinidad, and director Robbie Guevara.</div><p>There’s also Mary Anne Espina, a pianist for some of “Miss Saigon” shows, and dance captain, Winchester Lopez.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;Feels like home&#x27;</strong></div><p>Uy is collaborating with 9 Works Theatrical for the first time, an experience he describes as both welcoming and inspiring.</p><p>“It’s been amazing. 9 Works feels like home — there’s a genuine sense of family here,” he said. “Yes, it’s a workplace, and I came to do a job, but giving 100% becomes effortless when you’re surrounded by such a supportive and nurturing environment. That’s what 9 Works is for me: a place where passion and camaraderie meet.”</p><p>Beyond “The Bodyguard,” Uy is set to appear in the upcoming “A Christmas Carol” and the series “The Alibi” under Dreamscape Entertainment, starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino. Offstage, he serves as director of entertainment for Alphaland Corp. and, when his schedule allows, continues to host and perform at corporate events.</p><p>Despite this wide-ranging career, Uy always finds his way back to the theater.</p><p>“Theater will always be my first love. It demands full presence, concentration, hard work, dedication, and precision,” he says.</p><p>“Mainstream entertainment shares those demands, but often in smaller doses. In film or TV, you get multiple takes. In theater, you live in the moment there’s no turning back once the scene begins.</p><p>“That adrenaline, that immediacy, is what keeps pulling me back.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em>Catch John-Joven Uy in “The Bodyguard: The Musical,” opening September 26 at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell. The production, based on the 1992 film, features hits made famous by Whitney Houston including “One Moment in Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” and “I Will Always Love You.”</em></div>

<p>Nearly three decades after his turn as Thuy in the Stuttgart production of 'Miss Saigon', John-Joven Uy is back onstage in Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical’s ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical.’</p>

Nearly three decades after his turn as Thuy in the Stuttgart production of 'Miss Saigon', John-Joven Uy is back onstage in Rockwell and 9 Works Theatrical’s ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical.’

John-Joven Uy brings heart and depth to ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical’

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John-Joven Uy brings heart and depth to ‘The Bodyguard: The Musical’

Jude Cartalaba

Published September 09, 2025 09:00 AM PHT

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John-Joven Uy

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