John Lloyd Cruz bagged the Boccalino d’Oro (Golden Jug Award) at the 76th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland for his performance in Essential Truths of the Lake.
A film helmed by award-winning director Lav Diaz, the film follows the story of an upright police officer, Lt. Hermes Papauran (John Lloyd), who is determined to solve a 15-year-old murder case involving a performer/model named Esmeralda Stuart (Shaina Magdayao).
The narrative of the film was set at the height of the controversial drug war during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.
On the official website of Locarno Film Festival, the description about the film read: "When asked what drives a man to search for the truth, Lieutenant Papauran says dejectedly that maybe he just wants to keep inflicting pain on himself.
"Faced with President Duterte’s bloody murders and brazen lies, he continues his struggle to solve a fifteen-year-old case around an ash-laden landscape and an impenetrable lake.
"It has become a cross he can barely carry but keeps dragging it anyway."
One of the first to congratulate the actor was Tirso Cruz III, chairman of Film Development Council of The Philippines.
His statement read (published as is):
"It is with great joy and pride that I congratulate one of the most talented artists of our country, Mr. John Lloyd Cruz, for having won the Boccalino d'Oro prize (Golden Jug Award) for Best Actor at the 76th Locarno Film Festival (LFF) in Switzerland.
"This award is much deserved by an artist of his caliber. Lloydie, congratulations and thank you for bringing honor to our country."
The 10-day film festival began on August 2, 2023, and is scheduled to end on August 12.
Together with the team behind Essential Truths of the Lake, John Lloyd and Shaina flew to Switzerland to attend the festival.
Lav was also present, along with the producers Bianca Balbuena, Brad Liew, and Joaquim Sapinho.
Another cast member Hazel Orencio, who played Jane Liway in the movie, also joined the film's entourage. She won the same award in 2014 for her portrayal in Lav's 2014 Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon.
The Essential Truths of the Lake is a prequel to When The Waves Are Gone, which premiered in Venice last year.
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JOHN LLOYD'S "ATTACHMENT" TO LAV DIAZ
"Maybe not to the character but to the director," John Lloyd replied when asked if he has any attachment to his character during a presscon held at the Locarno Film Festival on August 7.
Describing what it's like working with Lav, the actor added, "It's always an experience. We're all filmmakers on the set."
John Lloyd went on to say that he considers it a "privilege" to be part of Lav's films because he has high regard for the director's "intention."
Their previous projects together included Ang Babaeng Humayo (2016), Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (2016), History Ni Ha (2021), Servando Magdamag, and A Tale of Filipino Violence (2022).
When asked how his status as a "big star" in the Philippines affected his work with Lav, John Lloyd candidly spoke about his decision to step away from the limelight back in 2017.
"I used to be a star. But I had to dim my light to accommodate moral struggles," he exclaimed with a laugh.
"But from my end, yeah, we have this trend, you get to be popular on TV, you get to be popular as well in movies.
"But after two decades of being popular and doing the same thing over and over, like 20 years of income-driven engagements, you tend to...."
He didn't finish his sentence, but added that he couldn't do his "duty" as an actor if his hands are always full with mainstream projects.
The 40-year-old actor continued, "That's the problem with learning something or knowledge, its irreversible. Once you see a conflict, once you see an opportunity, it's hard to deny it."
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ON STRUGGLES BECAUSE OF HIS CAREER MOVE
While his career choices may not sit well with some people, John Lloyd said he remains optimistic that the public would come to accept them in due time.
He elaborated, "There are also existing struggles in the context of me and my family, because most of them don't really understand my choices.
"In that level, it is also real. Like me trying to explain to my parents—they're in their 70s—it's very difficult. Imagine explaining it to all the Filipinos?
"But Direk Lav also, unknowingly for sure, teaches us how to be patient with sharing our knowledge...
"Giving them time to process it or wait for the proper opportunity also, because different folks, different strokes."
In 2017, John Lloyd took a break from showbiz and left ABS-CBN, his home network for 20 years.
The following year, he became a dad to Elias, his son with Ellen Adarna.
He made his TV comeback via the sitcom Happy 2GetHer, a blocktimer, which aired on GMA-7 from December 26, 2021 to August 6, 2022.
John Lloyd is currently under the roster of talents of Crown Artist Management, a talent management company co-owned by actress Maja Salvador.