Eddie Garcia joins 'Juan dela Cruz'

VETERAN actor Eddie Garcia will join the cast of Kapamilya primetime series "Juan dela Cruz," his first ever teleserye project on ABS-CBN.

The series is topbilled by Prince of Independent Movies Coco Martin, Erich Gonzales, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Albert Martinez and Gina Pareno.

In the story, Eddie will breathe life to the character of Fr. Julio, an extraordinary priest who secretly spies on Juan, the role played by Coco.

"Isang malaking karangalan para sa akin ang pag welcome na ito sa akin ng ABS-CBN. I am very excited to work with a good actor with a lot of following. It's really a great honor," he said in a press conference Thursday evening.

Although he has yet to shoot a scene with Coco, Eddie shared that he saw how Coco has grown as an actor over the years.

"Coco will go a long way. Napakahusay niya na actor at marunong makitungo sa mga fans. He's doing very well. Wala siyang ginagawang mali. He's a very good actor," Eddie said.

Eddie said that to be able to prolong one's stay in the entertainment business, young actors must not only have the skills or talent, but also a strong work ethic.

"It is on how he plans his career, how he works, how he respects his co-actors and directors. Huwag mong bigyan ng sakit ng ulo ang mga direktor mo. Iwasan ang tsismis. Pag-aralan ng mabuti ang script. Huwag makialam sa direktor, hindi mo na papel iyon. Basta gampanan mo ang role mo," said the veteran actor, who is also an acclaimed director.

"I've always considered acting and directing as a job. You make the most of it. You do a great performance para magtagal ka," he said.

To those people who are intimidated by his name and stature in the business, Eddie said that if he's tapped as an actor, he will act and follow the director. If he's asked to direct, he's a director and not an actor. "Wala akong balak na maintimidate sila. Pagdating ko sa set, I'm an actor playing my role. Hindi ako nakikialam sa direktor. He or she is the captain of the ship, so nasa kanya iyon. Kung ano ang sabihin niya, sinusunod ko. I don't argue. I don't try to take over as a director," he said.

Eddie will be celebrating his 84th birthday on May 2. In his six decades in the entertainment business, the seasoned actor said he can still do a lot of roles both on television and movies.

"Pinaglihi ako kasi sa sanggol. Ang ginagawa ko kasi ay puro ka-anghelan lang," he jokingly said when asked where he gets all the energy to juggle things.

Asked if he's keen in trying stem cell treatment, Eddie said: "Takot ako sa stem cell. Isipin mo kapag hatinggabi, instead na humilik ako, baka 'meeehh."

He said that among his secrets to keeping a strong and lean body is getting enough sleep, eating fish and vegetables, following a strict diet, and constantly doing showbiz works.

"Hindi naman sa nanghihina pero nakakainip kapag wala kang ginagawa. Basta hanggang kailangan ako ng industriya (andito ako). Kung hindi na ako kailangan, it's time to retire," he ended.

"Juan dela Cruz" airs weekdays after "TV Patrol" on the Kapamilya Network. (Sunnex)