Jon Lucas: His Biggest Role As Dad
Jon Lucas irritates viewers as a kontrabida on television but when he’s with family, he’s Jon the dad.
TV viewers first saw Jon Lucas as one of the rising dancers in the male group Hashtags on It’s Showtime. These days, he is known as Calvin Magallanes, the main antagonist in GMA’s action teleserye Black Rider starring Ruru Madrid.
Beyond the antagonist role he plays on TV, Jon is a father to his two kids – Brycen and Brionna, and happily married to his wife Shy Feras.
In an exclusive interview with Modern Parenting, Jon shares how his late dad played a role in his parenting, playing Calvin, and how his family inspires him.
Small wins and motivation
Having played supporting roles since he entered showbiz, Jon scored an achievement last May when he was bestowed the Best Supporting Actor award by the Village People’s Choice Awards for his role as Calvin in Black Rider.
“After many years, ay finally nakatanggap na tayo ng ganitong parangal. Totoo na nakapagbigay iyon sa atin ng kompiyansa na ayusin pa at mahalin pa natin yung ginagawa nating hanap buhay at mga role na binibigay sa atin,” he said.
The award continues to help him be a better actor and get a chance to get better roles on TV or film. Although his role is an antagonist, Jon takes care of Calvin’s character through the guidance of the production team behind the show.
“Aaralin ko talaga mabuti yung script at galing din sa tulong ng mga directors at veteran actors on the set, natutulungan nila tayo na alagaan at ipakita pa gaano ka kontrabida si Calvin Magallanes,” he said. “Bilang kontrabida, sabi nga ng marami lalo na yung mga veteran actors, mapangalagaan talaga yung character regardless na maiinis sa iyo yung mga tao. Iyon dapat nga dapat makita ng tao at mapatunayan natin na nagiging epektibo tayo sa mga manonood.”
Enjoying the kontrabida role
Any actor wants a challenge whether it be the lead or the antagonist. In Jon’s case he’s enjoying the kontrabida role he’s doing.
“Sa ngayon nag-eenjoy talaga ako kasi ito nga yung masasabi natin na biggest role na dumating sa ating buhay dito sa industriya,” Jon shared. “And challenging ding ang pagiging kotrabida – yung palagi kayong galit, yung goal na apihin at saktan yung damdamin nung ating bida is challenging. Mahalaga yung script yes, pero importante din yung feelings, yung emotions that you give.”
Calvin may be his biggest role, but Jon admits that he gets annoyed with the character, especially how he treats women, something he will never do in real life.
“S’yempre nakakainis talaga,” Jon said of Calvin’s trait in the show. ” Sa part ni Calvin, na iimagine ko din at ayaw naman natin na masaktan ang asawa o anak ko.“
Jon’s ultimate role model: His Dad
When he’s not busy taping for Black Rider, Jon is a dad to Brycen and Brionna. Early this year, his dad Arturo passed away. Before his death, Jon got reminders about the challenges of being a father.
“Naalala ko yung payo sa akin ng daddy ko na marami pa kasing darating na kahirapan,” Jon shared. ” Example, nakikita natin ngayon na may proyekto tayo, may programa tayong ginagawa. Sabi niya nakakatuwa kasi nakakatanggap na tayo uli nang mga ganitong role at maganda yung trabaho.“
“Pero lagi ka dapat handa sa ano mang pagsubok na darating kasi hindi natin masabi kung kailan ka magkaroon ng work.”
When it comes to qualities he got from his dad, Jon mentioned the importance of perseverance.
“Samahan mo lang tiis at tiyaga. Yon po sa tingin ko nakuha at nakita ko sa tatay ko na kahit minsa’y nawawalan ng pag-asa ay nandoon pa din yung pagiging matiyaga at nandoon pa din ang matiisin.”
Family is everything
With two kids, how does Jon explain his job to them? He credits his wife Shy for being supportive and helping him explain particularly to Brycen the work he does.
” It’s important talaga that you have a supportive partner na siya ang katuwang at katulong mo sa pag-explain sa mga bata,” he said. “So pag nandito ako sa at for example na umaalis ako na tulog sila at pagdating ko tulog pa din sila, kausap ko yung wife ko sa cellphone. Siya na din yung katulong ko nag-eexplain sa mga bata na si dady nag-wowork lang.”
When it comes to disciplining the kids, the department belongs to Shy and he tends to be the relaxed one with them.
“Mas gusto ko kasi na mas takot sila sa mommy nila para ma realize nila na doon sila galing, na kahit anong sabihin ni mommy na dapat respetuhin, panalangin ‘nyo hanggang sa paglaki nila. Napakahalaga talaga ng payo ng isa ina para sa akin,” he said.
And what is a typical day for the Lucas family? Jon admits they’re not the type of family that loves to go out but they do go malling occasionally, watch movies at home, and eat.
Inspired to be better as an actor and dad
Black Rider may be keeping him busy for now but Jon hopes to do more projects in the future. His main goal? To buy the dream house for his family.
“Wala na po kaming mahihingi na material na bagay kung hindi sariling bahay,” he said. ” Na para kahit bata po lamang sila, alam ‘nyo iyon may sarili na kayong peace of mind na panatag na kayo na kahit anong mangyari, yung sariling bahay, iyon yung maipapamana ko sa sa mga anak ko.”
So how has being a dad changed Jon? He pondered for a moment before answering it.
“Noon kasi totoo mabarkada din ako. After trabaho, may oras pa at makita ko yung mga kaibigan ko, pupuntahan ko pa iyon. Ngayon na may mga anak na ako, talgang diretso uwi na ako sa bahay. Hindi na natin silang kaya ipagpalit sa mga nasa labas.“
And who is he as a dad and husband? Jon smiled, saying: “ Siguro as a dad, nasusumikap, super loving, and supper supportive dad.”
“As a husband, I try to be understanding all the time, masipag kasi kailangan din ako ng wife dahil kami yung magtutulungan at mahalaga talaga yung partner na binigay sa atin kasi kami talaga yung magtutulungan.“
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