Zanjoe Marudo Is Celebrating His 15th Showbiz Anniversary With a Documentary

Time flies, but most especially when you love what you’re doing. For Zanjoe Marudo, the passion he has for his craft is still evident over a decade since he made his TV debut. Now celebrating his 15th year in the entertainment industry, he fondly looks back and embraces his roots as he excitedly looks forward to what’s in store for him in the future.

Zanjoe, who started out as a model, first captured the hearts of the Filipino viewers when he joined Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition in 2006 as a housemate. He finished as the 4th Big Placer of the reality TV series. 

Zanjoe then showcased his acting skills through several TV appearances until he finally landed his first leading man role via the teleserye Dyosa in 2008. One of his landmark projects was his teleserye titled Dream Dad in 2014 wherein he played the role of a veterinarian who becomes an adoptive parent; it was a heart-tugging role that revealed the softer side of this hunky actor.

Among his most remarkable recognitions was his nomination for Best Performance by Actor category in the 45th IEMMY’s (International Emmy Awards) in 2017 for his performance in Maalaala Mo Kaya: Anino.

Despite all that he has accomplished, he never forgets his past. He shares with Metro.Style some of the things he learned as a PBB housemate:

“Ang pinaka natutunan ko sa loob ng Bahay ni Kuya, ’yung pakikisama, pakikisama sa tao. Hindi p’wedeng namimili ka lang ng taong gusto mo lang kasama. Hindi p’wedeng aayawan mo ’to kasi hindi mo siya gusto. ’Yung communication din, importante rin ’yun. Du’n ako natuto na lahat ng bagay naso-solve ’pag pinag-uusapan. ’Yun ’yung mga p’wede mangyari kasi na madalas na sitwasyon sa loob ng isang bahay. Marami kayong problemang pagdadaanan. Pero naso-solve pala siya ’pag pinagtutulungan at pinag-uusapan. At maging understanding kayo sa isa’t isa.”

Zanjoe, still handsome and dashing at 39, was chosen to be the leading man for the upcoming TV series The Broken Marriage Vow, a remake of British series Doctor Foster and the K-drama The World of the Married. The Philippine adaptation tells the tale of Dr. Jill Ilustre (Jodi Sta. Maria), who starts suspecting that her husband, David Ilustre (Zanjoe Marudo), is having an affair with a younger woman (Sue Ramirez as Lexy Lucero). 

On how he prepared for his character, Zanjoe says during a virtual press conference, “’Yung challenge du’n is paano namin siya ipapakita in a Pinoy way. Hindi naman p’wede parehas na parehas na kung paano nila ginawa. Iba tayo ng ugali, iba tayo ng kultura. Nagpre-prepare ako, nagtatanong ako, nanood ako ng mga palabas na may kinalaman sa infidelity. Bakit ba nagloloko ang lalaki? Posible ba talaga magmahal ng dalawang tao ang isang tao? Lahat ’yun binasa ko. Lahat ’yun inaral ko. Nag-interview din ako ng mga kakilala ko na may pinagdaanan na ganyan.”

A documentary titled “Hanep, Kinse Na Pala! Zanjoe’s 15 Years in Showbiz” was created, to celebrate all his achievements and look back at his wonderful years in the business. Not only will he be fondly remembering his journey, Zanjoe will also be celebrated by his dear family, seasoned co-actors, longtime friends, and esteemed mentors in the business such as Piolo Pascual (who is also starring in the Philippine adaptation of K-drama Flower of Evil), Angelica Panganiban, Jodi Sta. Maria,  Angel Locsin, Bela Padilla, Toni Gonzaga and directors Ruel Bayani, Cathy Garcia-Molina, FM Reyes, Connie Macatuno (who’s the director of The Broken Marriage Vow), and Lauren Dyogi, among others.

Know more about Zanjoe on- and off-cam by catching the three-part documentary on Star Magic’s Official YouTube channel on the following dates: September 26 (ep1), October  2 (ep2), and October 9 (ep3). 

Lead photos courtesy of Star Magic and Dreamscape