John Lloyd Cruz was late. He was an hour late. But unlike self-assured celebrities who have a sense of entitlement to everything, including making the press wait, Cruz entered the room with his head slightly bowed, obviously uncomfortable—and embarrassed—that he was not punctual.

His unassuming demeanor is perhaps what makes him one of the country’s hottest heartthrobs. Looking dapper in his black American Eagle coat and signature look of chinos and loafers, Cruz sat down with us to talk about his advocacy, his mother and his health. Yes, the actor has an advocacy—and one he feels especially passionate about.

The endorser of Biogesic for the seventh year now, Cruz went on a journey last month to visit the children of Suyac Island across Sagay in Negros Occidental.

Suyac Island is a mangrove eco-park, home to mangroves that are approximately 150 years old. It is also the island where children swim to school every day—crossing the two-kilometer stretch of open sea water just to report to school.

“These kids are heroes. It was a humbling and inspiring experience. Students in the city always complain about traffic, while unknown to them, some children have to swim and risk their lives just to go to school. Iisa lang naman intention natin—makatulong tayo, makapagtawid tayo ng pangarap, ng pag-asa,” the actor said.

And this is where Biogesic, Cruz and volunteers from the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation step in. Called “Ingat na Damang-Dama, Sa Bawat Kumot Ipalaganap,” the Biogesic campaign distributes medicines and thermal blankets to underprivileged communities in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

The Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation distributes school supplies on yellow boats, akin to yellow school buses in the cities, that children can use to cross the sea.

Realistic

Instead of swimming, children of Suyac today row to school in small yellow boats. Dr. Anton Mari Lim, cofounder of the Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, said that building boats for children for now is a more realistic goal than bringing in teachers and building schools on the island.

The thermal blankets, said Biogesic product manager Christine L. Nuevo, is a “tangible manifestation of a physical touch or hug.

“Biogesic hopes to be able to spread ‘Ingat na Damang-Dama’ to different communities in the country, especially those that are from far-flung areas and those affected by typhoons and other calamities,” Nuevo said.

“After seven years, it has evolved into something like this,” Cruz said. “I’m very happy and very proud to be part of this campaign. I’m even thinking of allowing children in my family to experience it. Children in the city take these little luxuries for granted. It would be a good experience for them to see how other children in some parts of the country cope with day-to-day realities,” Cruz said.

The journey to Suyac Island began with a two-hour drive from Bacolod City to Sagay, he said. Suyac is the closest island to Sagay. “Doon namin nakita yung mga majestic mangroves, centuries-old, kasing tanda ng corruption sa Pilipinas,” he said, laughing.

He stayed with the island community for a day, meeting and talking to 600 families. He said he can’t help but think about the corrupt officials as he watched the children make the perilous voyage. These are communities that could have benefited from the misused billions in taxpayers’ money.

Cruz has no political ambitions yet, and even shudders at the thought of endorsing a politician. He has received offers to align his name with a politician. For now, the young actor is not interested. What he wants, however, is to help the communities as much as he can.

“It’s a very beautiful place, Sagay and Suyac. But here you see children on a daily basis na isinusugal yung buhay sa alon. Para sa isang kagaya ko na hindi marunong lumangoy, I find that hard to believe, that you cross that far, in open sea, to go to school. Nakakabilib ang determinasyon nilang mag-aral. Pursigido talaga silang makapasok at hindi alintana sa kanila ang panganib na dala ng malalakas na alon,” he said.

Personal struggle

Lim said Masbate and Zamboanga are among the places in their lineup. Nuevo also said more similar endeavors should be expected in the next few months from the foundation, Biogesic and Cruz.

The actor himself is going through a  struggle. His mother, Aida, whose breast cancer has been in remission the last six years, recently had to undergo a double mastectomy after her cancer recurred.

“It is hard for her, psychologically, and even harder for me to see her struggle with it. But I think she is so much stronger this time around than when she was first diagnosed. She has decided not to get chemotherapy treatment anymore. And her doctors think it’s for the best,” Cruz said.

He admits he’s taking care of his health more seriously now, especially that he is nearing 30. He rides his mountain bike thrice a week, but not competitively, he said.

He also tries to eat healthy, cutting down on carbs on some days, but admits he’s still not disciplined in that area.

He also tries to work out regularly in the gym, but said it’s hard to sustain a program when it gets boring after a while. His aim, after all, is to just stay healthy and active, and not to grow big pecs and biceps.

Cruz said he is fortunate to be part of the Biogesic family.

“Biogesic started my career as an endorser, and I am very grateful for that. The Biogesic team really believed in me… The warm welcome we received from the Sagayanons was really overwhelming.

“I am honored and very thankful that my Biogesic family made me a part of this campaign and gave me the opportunity to reach out to people who I am forever indebted to because without their support, there won’t be a John Lloyd today. Now it’s time to return the favor,” he said.