Despite discovering his love for acting late, the GomBurZa star transitioned from theater to the silver screen seamlessly. Cedrick Juan says his journey as an actor wasn’t typical. His path, winding through theater stages and film sets, reveals the story of an actor who embraced his craft later than most, but with a fervor that transformed him into one of the most captivating leading men of the current generation of local cinema.
Born and raised in Santa Maria, Bulacan, Cedrick’s high school days were filled with chess tournaments and dance floor routines. It wasn’t until his junior and senior years in college at Far Eastern University (FEU) when he was introduced to acting, dipping his toes into the world of theater. After graduating, he found himself gravitating toward deeper aspects of the craft.
He sought guidance from his mentor, professor Joey Ting, who pointed him toward the esteemed theater programs of Dulaang UP. Here, he chose to enroll in their summer workshop, which led him to further pursuing the art. Surrounded by much younger aspiring actors, Cedrick felt a sense of urgency and determination to hone his skills.
“It was really overwhelming, because I was with 16 to 17 year-old kids during that time,” he tells Vogue Philippines “It was filled with incoming theater arts students, and I knew I was the oldest from that batch.” Despite this, his tenure at Dulaang UP laid the groundwork for the future of his acting career as he immersed himself in various aspects of theater production, from acting to set design, all while performing in several notable plays. His roles in productions like Adarna, Teatro Porvenir, and Measure for Measure showcased his versatility.
However, it was his performance in Bilanggo ng Pag-ibig that truly marked a turning point. “It opened a lot of doors and opportunities for me,” he says, noting how it led to his audition and subsequent casting in the film Die Beautiful in 2016, his cinematic debut. That same year, he appeared in Oro, a film that earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance as Bong at the Metro Manila Film Festival.
Thanks in part to his rigorous theater training, Cedrick’s transition from the stages of theater to the silver screen was seamless. “Theater teaches you to be vulnerable in any circumstance,” he explains. “It’s food for the soul.
” This foundation allowed him to bring authenticity and emotional truth to his characterizations, such as his supporting role as Otap Miranda in the series Till I Met You , alongside actors James Reid and Nadine Lustre. Among the various personas he had embodied over the years, his portrayal of historical figure Father Jose Burgos in the film GomBurZa stands out as one of his crowning achievements. The film, which delves into the lives of the Filipino priests whose martyrdom ignited the Philippine Revolution, resonated deeply with the actor, as it served as a reflection of the types of stories he really wanted to tell as an artist.
“The journey was really different compared to what I’ve done before,” he reflects, emphasizing the importance of reigniting nationalism and understanding the profound struggles of the past. Despite his success in both film and television, Cedrick still remains deeply connected to theater. “When you start in theater, you’ll always look for it,” he says.
This return to the stage in productions like Mula sa Buwan reaffirms his belief in the power of performance to touch hearts and provoke thought, all while returning to the roots that gave him his start..
