Photographed by Regine David for the August 2024 Issue of Vogue Man Philippines. Art by Bea Lu
In Vogue Playlists, various personalities across art, fashion, and culture offer an intimate glimpse into the sonic landscape that soundtrack their lives.
In an exclusive interview with Vogue Philippines, actor Cedrick Juan shares the music that plays in the background of his journey.
He definitely stole the scene by the tail end of 2023, if the TikTok algorithm crammed with video edits of his character in GomBurZa counts as a metric. Actor Cedrick Juan ushered in the new year as the name on everybody’s lips by playing the central figure in one of the most memorable Filipino historical films in recent memory, and then winning the coveted Best Actor award at the Metro Manila Film Festival. With more films in production under his belt and an upcoming TV series, he is set to prove that he is here to stay.
Beyond the surface, the actor is multi-faceted: his family-centric upbringing in Bulacan taught him the importance of staying true to his roots, his passion for the theater taught him discipline, and his love for animals molded him to be a true advocate. More than that, his sense of purpose in choosing roles that contribute to society prepares him for the next chapters of his career. Here, his anecdotes are sandwiched between the music that shapes his world.
Music that reminds him of his childhood in Bulacan: Folk music.
Memories of Cedrick Juan’s childhood in Santa Maria, Bulacan, included naming stray cats after anime characters, playing chess for his school’s varsity team, and dancing folk dances. “During my elementary days, naaalala ko na every foundation day namin, kaming mga students, lahat kami sumasayaw ng folk dance [I remember all of us learned how to folk dance],” Juan recalls. “Lagi rin kasi siyang ginagawa during August para magbigay ng importance sa language natin, sa heritage natin [It’s also always held in August to give imporance to our Filipino heritage and language].”
Although he doesn’t consciously make the connection, the folk dancing background might have been instrumental to Juan’s foray into joining dance crews later on in his high school years. “I’m more into grooving, and using my body for the arts,” he says.
Favorite musical album: Mula Sa Buwan.
His affinity for this specific musical isn’t random: for the thespian, it is his saving grace. In 2022, Cedrick Juan played the role of Maximo in the musical “Mula sa Buwan,” the Filipino musical adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand. “Naalala ko at the height of the pandemic, mahirap na para sa TV and film productions, so mas lalo na sa theater. [I remembered at the height of the pandemic, it was hard for TV and film productions, and it would even be harder for theater].” the actor recalls. “So parang nandun yung thinking ko na kaya pa kaya namin mag-perform? Kaya pa ba namin umarte sa ganitong sitwasyon? [I was thinking, would we still be able to perform? Would we still be able to act in such a dire situation]?”
Juan’s fears would soon be squashed, he says, in the glow of the stage lights at the opening night of the musical. “Yung first show namin, talagang pagkabukas ng house lights, talagang naiyak talaga ako. Kasi hindi ko in-expect na makakaarte ulit ako on stage. [At our first show, when they opened the house lights, I started crying. I didn’t expect that I would be able to act on stage again].” His role as Maximo was the first time he acted in a theater production after a five-year hiatus. “Dahil sa Mula sa Buwan, na-inspire ako ulit, parang feeling ko yun yung kulang sakin for the past five years, yung ganoong klaseng motivation. [Because of Mula Sa Buwan, I was inspired again, I feel like that kind of motivation was what I was missing for the past five years].”
A song that helped him prepare for his role as Padre Burgos in “GomBurZa:” Do You Hear the People Sing? from Les Misérables
For his breakout role as Father Jose Burgos in GomBurZa, a Filipino historical film loosely based on the three Catholic priests martyred during the Spanish occupation in 1872, Juan looked at another musical for inspiration. He says Do You Hear the People Sing?, the anthemic revolutionary call from musical Les Misérables felt reminiscent of his character’s and the Filipino people’s struggle for independence in the film. “It was close to the situation, and it gave me a similar feeling even if it was out of context,” Juan explains. “I feel like that’s always the gap that actors need to fill when studying our scripts.”
Cedrick Juan would then go on to win the Best Actor award for this role at the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival, a newcomer beating out veteran actors in the industry. When asked what the experience has been like for him, he humbly credits the machinations of the universe. “Pag may ginagawa tayo na higit sa sarili natin, binabalik sa atin ng universe, [If we do something greater than ourselves, the universe gives back to us,”] the actor reflects. “Lalo na kung yung ginagawa natin ay para sa nation building, katulad nung nangyari sa GomBurZa,.[Especially if what we do is for nation building, like what happened with GomBurZa].”
An album that best describes his life currently: The Greatest Showman soundtrack
At the current stage of his career, Juan had developed an affinity to the soundtrack of the movie musical The Greatest Showman. The award-winning actor says that he feels the film’s music encapsulates his whole experience. “Nandun lahat eh, [Everything is there],” he says. “Their humble beginnings, their struggles, and how they became successful sa pinaglalaban nila [in what they’re fighting for].”
As an actor, Juan consciously grounds himself. “Kase, pwede siyang maging overwhelming lalo na kung may period of time na lahat ng mata nakatutok sayo. [It can be overwhelming especially at times when all eyes are on you]” he says. “It’s also for checking your privileges from time to time, to remember your humble beginnings.”
A song that reminds him of his pet dog, Loki: Daughters by John Mayer
In addition to his acting career, Juan is also an animals rights advocate. With his partner Karen Toyoshima, active member of animal welfare group Pawssion Project, they provide free spay and neuter services for strays in communities in need.
But tragically, prior to this, Juan reminisces his memories with his dog “Loki,” who passed away in 2021. “Accidentally lang na nag-play siya sa radyo tapos kasama ko siya sa car. [It accidentally played on the radio and he was with me in the car.”] Juan recalls. “And he kept howling. Tapos ayon, nag-check ako sa internet tapos pinakinggan ko na yung mga kanta ni John Mayer. [After that, I checked the internet and I started playing John Mayer’s music].”
Loki’s loss made him realize the difference between being a pet lover and a pet parent, saying, “Kasi pag parent ka na, parang gagawin mo lahat para dun sa welfare ng pet mo. [When you’re a parent, you’ll do everything for the welfare of your pet].” Initially hesitant due to his grief over Loki’s passing, Cedrick eventually decided to adopt a dog rescued by Pawssion Project late last year. “Na-realize ko na, never ka naman magiging ready sa buhay, [I realized that you’ll never be ready about anything in life].” Burgos, named after his award winning role, is now eight months old.
