MANILA, Philippines — After airing more than 170 episodes, the GMA Prime full action series, “Black Rider,” will have its finale episode on Friday night at 8. It is among today’s Top 10 most-watched programs.
The show has also featured more than 200 talents. One of them is Jon Lucas, who has established himself as a supporting actor.
Looking back on his convincing performance as villain Calvin Magallanes, Jon attributes it to the creative people, whom he has collaborated every taping day.
“Perhaps the biggest factor is also the help and support from the veteran actors,” answered he when asked about how he stayed true to the character during a recent virtual group interview for the finale week of “Black Rider.” “Of course, there’s director Rommel Penesa, who continuously reminded me in every scene about who Calvin Magallanes was. Kaya siguro mula sa Day One hanggang sa mga panahong ito, na ma-maintain natin (that’s why from Day One and until now, I’ve kept the character in me).”
As an actor playing a challenging role, added Jon, he cannot simply rely on his knowledge and skills alone. He needed the guidance and wisdom of everyone. After all, veterans such as Raymond Bagatsing and Rio Locsin have seen artists playing villains and have perhaps portrayed similar roles.
Again, Jon acknowledged the contributions made by his directors, fellow actors and the male lead star of the show, Ruru Madrid, as Elias Guerrero or Black Rider. Jon’s Calvin and Ruru’s Elias are the yin-and-yang of the weeknight series.
Asked if there’s something about Calvin that he may find likeable or admirable, Jon said, “Perhaps, I feel he’s really brave and is ready to fight for something he feels and knows that he deserves. But the problem with him is, with Calvin’s extreme greed and desire to get something he wants, idinadaan niya parati sa parang laging mainit ang ulo, minamadali lahat ng bagay bagay (he is always a hothead in dealing with situations, and he fast tracks everything).”
“So, he forgets to think (clearly and) right, pero yun po ang hahangaan siguro kay Calvin, na lagi siyang willing na ibuwis ang kahit na ano para sa isang bagay na nais niyang makamit (but his willingness to sacrifice everything for something he wants to achieve is somewhat admirable),” added he.
Given the long and successful run of “Black Rider,” Jon will miss the cast and crew on set.
“I will miss everyone dahil sila yung nagbigay ulit sa akin ng kumpiyansa. Sila po yung nagbigay ulit sa akin ng pag-asa na kahit papaano ay may maitutulong pa tayo sa industriya (they’re the ones who have again given me the confidence and hope that I could still contribute to the industry), lalo na kapag nangangailangan po siguro sila ng mga kontrabida (especially when they need someone to play villain),” said he.
Reading between the lines of his answers, the acting project came at a time when Jon was contemplating his place in the competitive field of entertainment and considering a possible new career, as he also mentioned in a previous interview.
Being part of “Black Rider” made him appreciate more his passion for acting and his calling for it, as one could glean from it.
“Napatunayan (ko) na marami pa po pala akong dapat matutunan, marami pa akong dapat pagdaanan para makarating dun sa sinasabi nating pangarap natin, na gusto nating maabot (I’ve realized that there’s a lot [of lessons] that I should learn and things I should go through to achieve and reach a career goal),” concluded he, who is grateful to the dedicated and hardworking people behind “Black Rider,” from the directors and producers, to writers, staff, and actors.
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