More than a year before winning Best Actor at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023, Cedrick Juan admitted that his role of Padre Jose Burgos in the entry “GomBurZa” was almost a missed opportunity.
Juan starred as the title character in the historical film which tells the story of the Catholic priests Mariano Gomez (Dante Rivero), Jose Burgos and Jacinto Zamora (Enchong Dee) who were executed in February 1872. The movie emerged as the biggest winner during the MMFF awards night, bringing home seven awards.
Shortly after the Gabi ng Parangal, Juan said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ New Day on Friday, Dec. 29, that he chanced on the film’s online audition in October 2022, but that he was already busy with the play “Mula sa Buwan” where he starred as Maximo.
“I first saw the online audition in October 2022 but ‘Mula sa Buwan’ came, and I know that a lock-in audition will be held. I didn’t know the timeframe of ‘GomBurZa’ yet,” he said. “So I didn’t pass an online audition but come the end of December, the movie’s talent coordinator asked me to audition but it wasn’t Burgos.”
Juan said he was first asked to audition for the role of Ferdinand La Madrid, who played a role in the Cavite mutiny, before “manifesting” to read for the role of Burgos.
“Initially, it was La Madrid. Then, as an actor, it was always my practice to ask for a script… I just manifested [to read for Burgos] and prayed. Then, I read the script for Burgos in the audition, and I also read the script for La Madrid,” he said.
The actor also shared that the production team of “GomBurZa” had been looking for someone to take on the role of Burgos since 2020, before it was decided for him to take on the titular character.
“They’ve been looking for an actor to play Padre Burgos for so long since 2020. It’s really a pivotal role, that’s why they’re really having a hard time getting the role for that,” he said.
Juan edged out Alden Richards, Dingdong Dantes, Derek Ramsay, Piolo Pascual and Christopher de Leon for the Best Actor award.
Prior to the MMFF entry, the actor also starred in a number of films and series including “Die Beautiful,” “Oro,” “The Panti Sisters,” “Till I Met You” and “Paano ang Pangako” throughout his 10-year acting career.
