By Pepper Marcelo
Ryan Agoncillo is a one-of-a-kind celebrity. In an industry where battle lines are starkly drawn, with warring networks vying for talent exclusivity, he is able to deftly navigate from station to station without damaging his career or making enemies. Working under non-exclusive contract with competing networks, Ryan is inundated with projects that utilize his many talents, including acting, hosting and modeling.
Asked how he felt to be in such a unique situation, the 30-year-old says he is blessed and lucky. “Mas madalas akong magdasal ngayon, yung thank you. Higit sa panghihingi pag nagdadasal, it’s more on thank you.”
On ABS-CBN, he co-stars alongside his wife, Judy Ann Santos, in the sitcom George and Cecil. On the revitalized TV5, he hosts the talent show Talentadong Pinoy. And just recently, after numerous guest appearances, he became a full-time co-host of the long-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga on GMA-7.
But he says that if he were made to choose only one network to work for, he would stick it out with ABS-CBN, his wife’s “mother” network. “I am a Kapamilya definitely, kung exclusivity ang pag-uusapan, loyalty goes to them. The contract is not exclusive, but of course, yung loyalty ko nasa kanila. On a personal level, yung loyalty ko is with them.”
He quickly adds, however, that he always maintains a high level of professionalism when shifts from one project and network to another. “When we guest on, let’s say Eat Bulaga or Bubble Gang or Master Showman (all GMA-7 shows), may paalam, may pasabi. At ano naman, hindi sila [ABA-CBN] maramot sa ganun.”
He hopes no animosity would develop between competing stations, explaining that he doesn’t want to get into network politics, but simply wants to do the job at hand. “Ayoko siyang isipin, sa totoo lang. Ayoko siyang dumating. Kumbaga, sa tingin ko, sa tiwala ko sa mga katrabaho ko, hindi dadating sa ganung punto. I have so much faith and there’s so much respect with the people I’m working with. Hindi sila maggaganun. Kasi we all need to work.”
So far, work has been very good. ABS-CBN’s George and Cecil has been a solid success. But the biggest surprise has been Talentadong Pinoy. Patterned after America’s Got Talent and its British counterpart, the show, which features a wide variety of performers – from singers and magicians to dancers and acrobats – has become TV5’s highest-rated Saturday primetime show. Capping the show’s high ratings was Ryan’s winning his second trophy for “Best Talent Search Host” in the Star Awards for TV last November.
Asked which work he prefers – hosting or acting – he says it’s a toss-up because he likes doing both and they both bring in income. “Ang kagandahan lang kasi ng relationship ng acting at hosting sa akin ay I’m afforded a break from hosting when I’m acting and so is with hosting. So, it doesn’t get too neurotic, yung you don’t get burned out kasi halo-halo.”
His better half is naturally very proud of his individual success. When Ryan hooked up and eventually married one of the industry’s top actresses, many predicted Juday might overshadow his career. But Juday downplays the suggestions.
“Nagkakilala na kami na may sari-sarili na kaming mga pangalan; siya as a host at ako bilang artista,” explains Juday. “May sarili siyang talent at ibigay natin sa kanya ‘yon kasi pinaghirapan niya talaga ‘yon at talagang prinoblema niya nang bonggang-bongga ‘yon.
Now Ryan has more projects than his more established wife. But this has not created any tension or conflict between the two.
“Masayang masaya ako [para sa kanya],” says Juday. “Bilang may-bahay, sapat na nagagampanan ko ‘yung trabaho ko bilang asawa, bilang nanay at bilang artista. Okey na ako. Lahat ng blessings buong puso naming tinatanggap ‘yan. Masuwerteng-masuwerte si Ryan sa taong ito at sana sa mga susunod pang taon.”
For his part, Ryan says he and Juday are still on Cloud Nine one year after their wedding last year. “It’s evolving pa. More than the romance, the friendship is evolving. I thought yung pagpe-prepare namin ng wedding, yun na yung best of friendship talaga. Hindi pa pala. And then now, we’re building a nest, nasa building nest pa kami. Nasa tanungan pa kami kung paano gawin yung budget, paano gawin yung sa school, sino ang magtuturo sa anak namin? May ganun pa, e.”
Last March 12, Juday confirmed reports that she is two months pregnant. The couple is very happy and excited that their five-year adopted daughter Yohan will soon have a sibling. They are planning a month-long overseas trip in April or May to mark their birthdays and wedding anniversary. Ryan is celebrating his 31st birthday on April 10, Judy Ann is turning 32 on May 11, and their first wedding anniversary is on April 28.
Ryan has a traditional view of marriage. “Being the man of the house, I believe that I always have the last say in whatever decisions that we make,” he says. “Very traditional yung roles kasi nga parang nung kami. Kasi kahit naman sa pagba-budget, si Juday ang may hawak ng libro at siya ang nagba-budget.”
But what really matters, he says, is not the division of labor at home but that the mutual realization and commitment to help out each other in carving a happy married life.
