STARDOM IS HARD WORK!

These familiar faces show up on our TV screens, movie houses, and thousands of magazine covers. In the pantheon of modern-day gods, they’ve been idolized, immortalized, and become sources of inspiration to thousands of devoted fans.

But celebrity status did not come overnight. A life that sparkles with the glitz and glam was frequently earned by blood, sweat, and tears. Like the non-showbiz career people, the stars have paid their dues and keep on sharpening their skills. That’s how they can burn even brighter.

Once in a while, JobsDB.com will chat up-close and personal with these celebrities. Though not all of us have been bitten by the acting and concert bug, the values and lessons in their success stories are pretty universal and can prove to be inspirational.

Jomari Yllana:  “When you do good work, it will stand test of time.”

Interview by Tinna S. Bonifacio

Before, he used to be known mainly as the younger brother of actor-politician Anjo. But thanks to his own considerable talent and the help of veteran talent manager Douglas Quijano, Jomari Yllana succeeded in creating a niche for himself and sealed his reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation.

Jomari remembers that when he was young, he really wanted “to make it big”. He has succeeded—and continues to build on earlier successes. Recently, Jomari was seen playing a kontrabida role on Lastikman, opposite Vhong Navarro. Now, he is back on primetime television with a role as the suave but ruthlessly ambitious director of operations of Neptune, an elite group of secret agents, in Palos, one of three new programs launched recently by ABS-CBN.

It is another villain role. “Parang mabenta yata akong kontrabida,” laughs Jomari. “Pero enjoy ako. This is what I love about being an actor, finding out na ang dami kong puwede at kayang gawin.”

In the interview that follows, Jomari traces his journey from teen idol to adult actor, and the lessons he learned along the way.

You are one of the few teen idols who were able to transition successfully to being accepted as an adult actor and keep your career going. How were you able to do that?

It was very hard, very difficult. It was a big gamble, because I was in that awkward stage. I owe it to my manager [Douglas Quijano], because he opened doors for me to make it. Ginawan niya ng paraan. I was only 16 or 17, but he started giving me adult roles, like the one I did in Pusod ng Dagat, directed by Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

I think it also helped that when I got older, I got into motorsports. It helped my image mature faster. But bottom line is I think [the successful transition of my image] was the result of good career decisions.

What do you think is the best thing about your career as an actor? Is it the money?

The money is a bonus. It’s true, we get paid more than the average person, but for me, I love movies and television. I love all aspects of it. But to answer your question, I think the best thing about my job is that I do what I love, and I get to see the results when people appreciate my work.

Speaking of people appreciating your work, how do you know when you’ve done well?

When you’ve done good work, it will stand the test of time. Like that movie, Pusod ng Dagat, which I did with Marilou Diaz-Abaya when I was 17 or 18—if it’s a really good movie, and you watch it 10 or 15 years later, it will still be good. When I watched Pusod ng Dagat again last year, I felt really good. It felt good to be part of a really good movie. That’s how I know that I’ve done well, when I can go back to something I did years ago and still feel good about it.

What’s the best career-related advice you’ve been given?

I remember that my manager told me that each person I encounter is important. He used to tell me, “Bawat tao, kahit hindi mo fan, na gustong magpa-picture o gustong magpa-autograph, huwag mong tatanggihan. Dahil kahit isang tao lang ‘yan, importante ‘yan. ‘Yang isang tao na ‘yan, ikukuwento yung tungkol sa ‘yo sa kaibigan niya, sa kamag-anak niya, and so on down the line. It creates a ripple effect that can affect your career positively or negatively.”

And you love that part of your job? The personal interaction with people?

Oo. Noon pa, na-realize ko na ako talaga ‘yon. I realized at a young age na kahit one million pa ang taong nakapaligid sa akin, okay lang. Kapag nakikita kong masaya sila, masaya din ako.

Is that why you decided to pursue a new career in politics?

It’s no guarantee that just because I’m an actor, that I’ll make a good politician. Politics is a totally different system from showbiz.

But you do plan on running in the next elections?

I actually did already, but I withdrew for my brother. He was really encountering problems with his party. I was supposed to run as an independent, and he was part of Lakas. To avoid creating more problems for him, I decided to back out of the race and just concentrate on my career as an actor.

So you’re giving up on politics?

No, not really. Gusto kong tumakbo, but not just to take advantage of my popularity [as an actor]. That’s why I’m planning to go back to school to take up a course in Public Administration. Susubukan ko lang.

But you won’t give up acting?