Sid Lucero on growth: I’m proud that my mom is proud

MANILA, Philippines, April 28 ------ Every acting project brings a level of personal reflection, according to Sid Lucero, but not necessarily in the way one might expect from a faith-based series like “My Bespren Emman.”

Sid joins the lead cast of “My Bespren Emman,” one of TV5’s TodoMax Primetime shows alongside “A Secret in Prague,” premiering tonight starting at 8. “Personally, always. All my projects naman,” the actor said when asked if the show sparked realizations in his life.

As the Kapatid network’s new drama delves into inspirational and religious themes, Sid clarified though that his own relationship with faith operates on a different track. “But if you’re talking about the focal point of the show... in my personal life, I deal with the religious stuff in a very different way from the rest of the country,” he further said during an interview with this paper and a few other reporters following an advanced screening at Gateway last week. “So your question applies to me every day, just not through the show.”

Sid said that while he grew up in a religious setting, he has long taken a more personal approach when it comes to his faith. “I grew up in a Catholic school. I represent all religions in my work. I’m not into the church stuff,” said Sid, who has also played a Muslim character in the past. “I’m in a personal relationship stuff. I don’t like the politics involved, which is no matter what, it’s not my faith.”

Sharing how he views religion today, he further said, “Plus, if you look how religion was created… you kinda know why it doesn’t make sense, and it makes you wonder why it’s still that way now.” Despite this stance on “organized religion,” Sid still agrees with what “My Bespren Emman” is trying to say. “Yes, I agree. And for the past couple of years, actually since pandemic… Yeah, it’s a nice reminder that we’re all related technically, you know what I mean? The way we treat each other as such.” He also expressed “100 percent” agreement with the show’s central idea of transformation. “They always ask me actually who Emman is,” he said. “But for me, it’s the energy within all of us that helps change anybody as long as you spend time with them. Just one look, you know. Even a few seconds, (when) you just listen can change a person’s day, week, maybe a life. To me that light, that’s God.”

Based on the pilot week that The STAR watched, his role as Joshua (a Bible-based name like all the other characters) is still very mysterious; obviously, there’s more to him than his scenes would let on. But when asked if he related to his character in any way, Sid said, “I would like to think so. Maybe not the way he thinks, maybe not some moral standards. But I try to keep my characters as real as possible. And the only way I can do it is to base it on what I know or what I’ve experienced. “If I try to invent anything, I feel like I’m not being (truthful)… like I’m cheating on the audience. That’s my feeling.”

He, likewise, never had any hesitation about taking on the role. “No, never. Because someone has to represent one side to get the whole message out,” he said, careful not to divulge anything more about his character. “And if I fit the other side more, I would really work on it.”

In “My Bespren Emman,” he reunites with Shaina Magdayao and JM de Guzman, whom he worked with about some 15 years ago in the ABS-CBN series “Alyna.” So much has since changed in both Sid and JM. Shaina revealed it herself during the talk-back session after the screening. Her exact words were: “Ibang nilalang pa po sila nuon. When I say that I’m very proud to be able to work with them now that they’re, I would like to say, more mature, more responsible, (it means) I’m really proud that they are in a really good place, work-wise and personal life-wise. Maybe that’s why we have a different chemistry now.”

Asked by The STAR about his reaction to his co-actor’s statement about how far he has come as a person, Sid beamed and said, “Proud, more than anything! I’m proud that my mom (Bing Pimentel) is proud and happy!” He continued, “And to hear Shaina talk about me that way. Totoo naman kasi. Tapos naaaliw ako sa kanya because her words were very politically correct. And I really appreciated what she said.”

Source: philstar.com