Ruru Madrid is in no hurry to become the next big star of GMA.
More than two years after trying out his luck in the media company’s star search reality competition, Ruru has finally been given his first big break as a leading man in the upcoming daily prime-time drama Let The Love Begin, where he is paired with Gabbi Garcia under the direction of Gina Alajar.
“I believe that everything happens at the right time. I feel that I’m very lucky to have been given this big opportunity, and I consider it a huge blessing,” Ruru told us, adding that patience has always been a virtue.
“I have always been cool and calm when it comes to accepting things. That’s not to say that I am not a dreamer, but I plot and study my moves. I take each step at a time. I plan. I work hard. I listen. I’m always keen to learn. Especially in this business where so many share your dream, so many are waiting for their break, so many are praying to be given a chance to prove themselves.”
Ruru strikes us as more than just a young man with a pretty face. He talks sense. He can be both serious and naughty. He is effortlessly charming.
We first took notice of Ruru during GMA’s Protegé star search. Although he did not emerge as the top winner, we had the feeling then that he would go places. Later, we saw him in an indie movie with Bohol as the location. We argued with friends that it would have been more strategic for the young actor had his advisers chosen a better script. Of course, this gave him the chance to work with veteran actors, and pitting talents with good actors is always a good thing for a newbie.
Then we learned that Ruru was handpicked by one of our favorite young filmmakers, Pepe Diokno, to play opposite rock icon Pepe Smith in Above the Clouds. We thought this was a good decision and a big move, and, true enough, the film is starting to make waves in foreign film festivals.
We wish Ruru only the best and may he make calculated moves that will continue to propel him into becoming a competent and reliable actor. Here is someone who does not need a showbiz surname to rise up the ranks. We hope GMA will open more doors for such a promising young actor.
FAITH AND HOPE
Two of our local music icons are faced with the most difficult battles of their lives. Joey Albert underwent emergency surgery recently in Canada when her colon cancer recurred. Rico Puno underwent an open-heart surgery over the weekend to fix his clogged aorta.
Joey was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1995. The bad cells struck her colon in 2003, the same year she underwent the knife again.
Her postsurgery social-media account had a message of thanksgiving, for all those who prayed for her during this difficult period. It read in part: “Your prayers and kind messages brought me so much joy and cheer and hope through these trying times. I am so blessed to have you all. God bless you all for your love and support. Always, Joey.”
Meanwhile, Rico Puno was immediately put under critical medical observation when he had a checkup at a Makati City hospital after complaining of breathing difficulty during the taping for his weekly sitcom Home Sweetie Home.
Rico’s daughter Tosca Puno-Ramos is reported to have taken charge in the face of this critical health scare for her dear father. Although Rico has been living-in with his very young girlfriend Queenie, Tosca is the one calling the shots and making all the important decisions.
Rico’s friends from the music industry are all asking for prayers for the singer to survive this medical nightmare.
THE LITTLE BLACK BOX
We thought of trying out our little ABS-CBN black box at our south of Metro weekend sanctuary and were delightfully surprised with it.
For the members of the family who’d rather stay inside the house and chill in front of the TV, there’s an all-day movie channel called CineMo. The kids can opt for the YEY channel, with its wonderful mix of all-day shows, like WonderPets, Spongebob Squarepants, and the Japanese anime show Naruto. Our househelp also noticed that the LED TV is much clearer now and the sound is better.
The ABS-CBN TVplus box is being offered at a one-time payment fee of P2,500, certainly reasonable for the many features it gives.