Zanjoe Marudo: "The Main Man" of the New Era of Comedy

"The Main Man" himself, Zanjoe Marudo during pocket presscon of "Bromance: My Brother's Romance" 

Some tagged him as the "Prince of Comedy," direk Wenn Deramas even described him as the "Adam Sandler" of the Philippines but after witnessing the overwhelming success of his launching movie, "Bromance: My Brother's Romance," at the tills, bagging 50M on its first week and still counting, I wanted to recognize Zanjoe Marudo as "The Main Man" of the new era of comedy. And yes, he deserves and has every right to be labeled and treated that way. To date, this is considered to be Skylight Films' highest grossing film.

I know Z (Zanjoe) is not that comfortable with the titles being tagged to him, like what he said during the movie's pocket presscon held yesterday at the Star Cinema conference room, "Isang pelikula pa lang eh, parang masyado namang mabilis na magkumpara agad sa ibang tao, sa mga malalaking tao. Mahirap 'yung ganun eh, s'yempre sila marami na talagang napatunayan and maraming pinagdaanan. Ayoko naman na hindi magpasalamat sa mga ganung klaseng puri, sa mga ganung klaseng sinasabi kasi dapat maging masaya ako kung ganun 'yung nakikita nila. Ayoko ding ipasok sa ulo ko kasi baka mamaya magka-attitude na 'ko," he humbly said. 

After the effective gay portrayal of Zanjoe in Bromance movie, he doesn't mind being typecasted in such roles he said, "Hindi naman, kung ganun ang gusto nila eh di ganun ang ibibigay ko, kung panonoorin ba nila eh, kasi kung di naman, di naman siguro gagawa ng ganung klaseng pelikula (he laughs)." Another proof of his professionalism and versatility was when he was asked to have a quick but funny "butt exposure" in this film, no questions was asked, no but's and if's, he just said to the their A.D. (assistant director), "Kahit ano sabihin mo, gagawin ko dito." Zanjoe even jokingly said, "Lucky charm yata 'yun eh." 

Once again, a film that was worth watching would never slip the theory of the "word of mouth." It is just so powerful than any other marketing strategies, once it had sink in to the moviegoers, no one and nothing could stop its "viral" spread, on a positive note huh! No negative reviews or unpleasant criticism about the movie was posted, published, shared, twitted or submitted. And talking about worth watching, Z could never forget this one positive comment he had encountered, he cheerfully shared, "Ang pinakanatamaan ako sa mga nabasa ko, 'yung sinasabi nila na sulit. Kumbaga worth it 'yung bayad, biruin mo maglabas ka ng pera para panoorin lang ako, parang ang sarap-sarap ng dating. Namasahe pa 'yan, kumain pa 'yan. Ngayon ko lang naman nararamdaman 'yun kasi nga ako naman 'yung gumaganap dun sa pelikula." 

Zanjoe is also thankful to his "Banana Split" family, for being so supportive, wherein he is a mainstay at this Kapamilya tv sitcom. After Zanjoe's participation at the reality program PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) Celebrity Edition in 2006, he had done the tv sitcom "Aalog-alog" with fellow ex-PBB housemates Keana Reeves (big winner) and John Prats along with Pokwang and another ex-PBB housemate, Jason Gainza. This was followed-up by "Parekoy," in 2009, another Kapamilya tv sitcom wherein the friendship between Zanjoe, John and Jason got even stronger. Then came "Banana Split,"  Zanjoe was the very first male guest of  the all- female cast that includes Anne Curtis, Cristine Reyes, Angelica Panganiban, Valerie Concepcion, Roxanne Guinoo and RR Enriquez and because direk Bobot (Edgar Mortiz) believed in his capabilities, and encouraged him to venture into comedy, he then became one of the show's mainstays together with John and Jason in  Banana Nite and Banana Split Extra Scoop. 

Zanjoe received a lot of praises and good comments about his stellar performance in Bromance movie. Everyone in the whole cast was given their fair chance and well-fitted spot in the movie. The Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) writes, "The casting is excellent, Zanjoe Marudo is a revelation, as he essayed both his roles with great versatility. "Bromance: My Brother's Romance" is a good vehicle for him to display his range. This was his best movie-- his performance was commendable and effortless-- and it's the perfect launching for him." Compliments also go to of course, direk Wenn Deramas for his outstanding direction and to his co-writers Ayz De Guzman and Danno Kristopher C. Mariquit.

Another X factor of the film was the cameo roles of the biggest celebrities like Kris Aquino, Bea Alonzo, Vice Ganda, John Lloyd Cruz and Ai-Ai de las Alas, who've been very supportive of their friend and co-actor's launching movie.  

Given the opportunity to choose for his next movie, Z would still prefer doing comedy roles. Another thing he shared to us during the pocket presscon was his admiration to the 7 year-old child actress/host Ryzza Mae Dizon, whom he hasn't met yet personally, he admitted. Zanjoe also hopes to do a film like "Jack," a 1996 Robin Williams movie wherein Williams played the role of Jack Powell, a boy who ages four times faster than normal; Z finds the role very challenging. And for those who are asking and anticipating for Bromance's international showing, it was already been confirmed that it will be shown in Guam and they are still working on other areas abroad so watch out for it! 

Lastly, what could a Zanjoe Marudo has to say after the successful turnout of his launching film, "Bromance: My Brother's Romance? "So ngayon, pag sinasabi nila na sulit, parang di mo sinayang 'yung pera nila, di'ba, parang lesson din sa 'kin. Simula ngayon, tuwing gagawa ako ng pelikula, bawa't eksenang gagawin ko, iisipin ko, hindi magsisisi 'yung tao, iisipin ko 'yung tao na manonood na at least hindi masayang man lang 'yung pera nila," he exclaimed. Very well said Z, good luck on your next project and may you have a blooming career and lovelife at the same time. Congrats! 

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Please watch Zanjoe's video thanking everyone for all the support

More exclusive pics of Zanjoe here. 

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