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John Lloyd’s tender thoughts and journeys

10/13/2009

One of the hottest stars today, John Lloyd Cruz certainly knows how to live life to the fullest.

“Despite my busy schedules, I believe that I have no excuse not to enjoy life the way I want. Work oftentimes takes a lot of my time, but if you want something to be done, you will always find time to do it,” he explains.

Knowing that he needs to have balance, John Lloyd makes sure that he keeps a healthy mind and body in order for him to rise to the challenges of his work life.

“I start my day with positive thoughts. Then I try to always eat right. I usually have hotdog omelet for breakfast, some fruits and fresh juices. Then I’d have a hearty steak cooked to perfection for lunch with veggies. For dinner, it is usually light meals.”

He also finds time to exercise and lately, he has developed a passion for biking. “It is important that we keep fit, and biking is almost a thorough, full body workout. If I find some free time, I make sure to go mountain biking in the terrains of Rizal.”

It’s not all about fitness, however. Indulging in his favorite healthy foods and in biking also allows him to keep things “real.” After all, with all the pressures in show business, you have to keep yourself grounded.

For John Lloyd, that means channeling his inner child and enjoying simple things he used to cherish when he was younger — before his hectic showbiz career.

John Lloyd shares that when he was a kid, one thing he really enjoyed was eating hotdogs. He shares: “I still bring hotdogs for baon to my shoots and tapings. I prefer them grilled or steamed.”

Which is why when he was recently offered by trusted food-maker Purefoods Hormel Co. Inc. (PHC) to become the endorser of kids’ favorite hotdog, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, the no. 1 hotdog brand in the country, he did not hesitate to say “yes.”

John Lloyd says he was glad to work on the TV commercial since it gave him the chance to do something different: Dance in shimmering 1970s garb.

It also afforded him the chance to work with a lot of kids.

“I have always adored kids. Working on the commercial was a breeze with these wonderful and happy kids. When I was told about the project and its concept, I immediately got excited since this will be so different from all those dramatic scenes I am always expected to do on TV or film,” he says.

“You see, there is always that little boy inside me. I also have my funny spins, you know,” he adds.

Working on the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog TVC brought back wonderful childhood memories for John Lloyd, which include: “Riding the school bus; planning the games we would play after school; looking forward to a hotdog meal either for breakfast or for merienda during recess, and many other wonderful memories that makes me want to stay young at heart.”

For someone so popular and so blessed, John Lloyd feels that it’s still the basic things that truly make one happy.

“Knowing that you have done something good and knowing that you have somehow affected the lives of others, and made them better and happier — those are the things that make me happy. And putting a big smile on the faces of people, especially kids, that feeling is always priceless.”