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by: Marj Akil

        John Prats is dead set on becoming the man he was always meant to be. Here's a full time working- 
student who despite a booming career, still knows the importance of college education.

        The day was particularly high strung for some malcontents commemorating the second anniversary of 
EDSA II. Also brewing was an angst- driven movement triggered by a new government policy to cover budget 
deficits. The additional 10% VAT on the already pocket- stangling 20% professional tax proved too much for 
vigilant film actors and actresses. They simultaneously launched their own caucus into the street. From
veterans to small time matinee idols to big names, crowds had a stargazing feast while the group hollered 
their concerns on makeshift platforms after their march to the Senate. Plucked from the 300 or so band of 
celebs, John Prats rushed to another venue that also required his presence. He had just to flee the scene 
and answer to the call of his chosen prefession -- to face the camera. Shows how the call of duty drives 
professionals in the industry to leave things at a drop of a hat.
        Thirty minutes prior to our call tym, the young actor made it to the cover shoot, all the while pre- 
apologizing that he might arrive late because of the rally. Clad in a black shirt, the chosen uniform for the 
day's protest, John was a picture of enthusiasm, all charged up to talk about his and his colleagues' position 
on the VAT issue and the going-ons in his budding entertainment career. Having met him before for another 
interview, I knew that being with this heartrob meant some downtime. It's a total relief to get viewpoints on 
some delicate matter from someone who doesn't seem to have the tendency to go ballistic over it. All I 
needed is a glass of ice-cold tea and I was all set to listen to someone who can be a best bud.

Set for fame

        Somehow a cliche Philippine showbusiness access, John Paolo Prats only tagged along with sister 
Camille in 1992 for an audition. ABS-CBN's Talent Center was freshly put up then, spearheaded by Director 
Johnny Manahan, or more fondly known as Mr. M. Recruiting fresh faces for their own stable of artists, 
screening was ongoing for a new show called "Ang TV," to be pitted against "That's Entertainment." Hesitant 
at first, John budged to the audition master's coaxing. Without knowing it, JohnPrats, together with his sister,
were born in the afternoon TV program line-up of the station for kids. "It was like play. Taping apg Saturday. 
Parang nagpunta ka ng park tapos laro kayo ng friends mo," he fondly recalls. While there he bagged a 
Purefoods hotdog commercial with Judy Ann Santos that earned him around P10,000. Per taping for "AngTV," 
he would add P750 to his savings account. Not bad for an eight-year old. John remembers getting his first 
Nike Jordan 8 trainers from his salary - so much for his old LA Gear and kiddie World Balance.
       Next came "Kaybol" in his TV credits. And dabbling in acting started to get into the picture. "Ano ba 'to, 
forever na lang ba ako maglalaro or gagawin kong career 'to?" he asked while considering "Kaybol" as a 
launching pad for a serious acting stint. From there he starred in a string of TV shows, sitcoms, and movies, 
the more popular of which are "Trip," "Jologs'" "G-mik'" "Okay Fine Whatever," "Whattamen," and the latest, 
"Berks." Music also crept into John's system, and at 14, Talent Center backed him up for the short- lived 
group JCS- John, Carlo (Aquino), and Stefano (Mori). Though the trio seemed to be just playing around, John 
has always been dead set on pursuing his drumming skills sans formal training.
        Touted as the next Aga Muhlach, John feels, "Nakaka- flatter na nakakakaba at the same time to be 
compared to him." Sporting clean-cut boy-next-door looks, John has a striking resemblance to the king of 
endorsements and local romantic movies, especially during the latter's younger days as one of the "Bagets." 
Inclined towards Prince Charming roles, John says their being 'crazy' is one of their similarities. The difference 
lies in the moods: John starts hyper and maintains it, while Aga has shifts- one minute he's cracking jokes, 
another he's flopped for some serious chat. But who's more good-looking? "Siya!" exclaims John. "King of 
heartrob talaga siya," he affirms.
        "Pero ikaw ang next in line," I say
        "Andun pa ang original eh. siya muna," he jokes.
        Based on looks alone, this Chinese mestizo surely gets a picture of where he's heading. But while looks 
and talent are presently pumping up his career, John has a reserve to back him up for his non- showbiz agenda. 
Currently a freshman Business Entrepreneurial major at Thames International Business School, he sees 
education as "the best gift you can give to your parents and to yourself." He adds, "Ang showbiz kasi andyan 
ngayon pero you'll never know tomorrow. Ang daming gustong mag-artista. At least after ka mag- artista, may 
fall back ka." That's why school packs his mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., after which he rushes to tapings. 
You could say he's a full-time working student. Rest days are a luxury, while vacations are like stumbling into 
a great bargain.
        But despite the tight dawn-to-dusk schedule, he enjoys school because it's "very regular, very normal." 
"Last time na na-enjoy ko yung school life ko was in grade school," he recalls, having enrolled at the ABS-CBN 
Distance Center for high school. Since his showbiz commitments get him pretty tied up, he survives projects 
and presentations throughthe courtesy of supportive classmates who fax and e-mail the necessary materials 
to him. By the time he gets to his first class, he's equipped with just about everything he needs to breeze 
through one challenging school day. "It's hard but gotta live with it," he chuckles. John intends to graduate 
in 2006.

Buddy Talk

        While being in the limelight allows him to be in the presence of all sorts of people, John's at home with 
the one's who knows him best. And the one who really does is younger sister Camille. Exactly how close are 
they? "Sobra," John blurts out. "She's not only my sister but also my bestfriend." THe two love watching DVD, 
going to the movies, and beat this: shopping together! How many big bros out there would actually have the 
patience to tag along for their little sister's vanity fair? Along with that comes an exchange of fashion tips. 
They've had their share of shenanigans, once hitting the streets of Hong Kong without their folks' knowledge. 
"Di namin magawa yun dito sa Manila eh," John says sheepishly.
        With Camille turning 18, boys just can't keep their eyes off her- and John keeps an eye on them. "I used 
to be very protective pero ngayon kailangan i- accept na may mga nanliligaw," he says. "Pero smart naman 
siya and i trust her so much about love." Someday, he'd liek to see her sister with someone responsible, loving, 
and hardworking. For a sweet sibling who brings him breakfast in bed for no reason at all, that isn't too much 
to ask for.
        For his part, he's got his dream girl pictured already: mestiza, fair- skinned, wide- eyed, and simple. 
Believing that beauty is skin deep, he thinks such a woman would be smart and sensitive, understanding and 
smart, :Yung hindi lang sarili niya nag iniiisip, outgoing, parang non- stop ang learning ko sa kanya,: John 
elaborates. He takes the dating game in stride, going out once on a while but not getting himself girl- crazy. 
Just to tip you off: the moment John takes you to the yacht or boat for a candlelit dinner on a first date, he's
got it bad for you. How do we know he's inlove? Lighting up, he describes, "Pag may moments na wala ako 
kausap pero bigla akong mag- smile. Ibig sabihin naaalala ko yung girl. Wow..." letting of a sigh.
        But now that he's not attached, he hangs out most of the time with sister Camillem, childhood buddy 
Carlo Aquino, Heart Evangelista, Diether Ocampo, classmates at Thames, and his reel-to-real ka-Berks. 
They love checking out the latest flicks, listening and jamming to some music, and goofing of in paintball 
matches. He makes time for the love of his life, basketball that is, and going to the beach to jet ski. His idea 
of relaxation is playing with his Labrador Retriever and German Shepherd, reading, raiding his PS2, and 
sleeping- a much sought-after treat. If he can, he'd love to travel more, with Europe as a target destination. 
"Hopefully with a girl friend na para romantic," he says in a dreamy voice.

Looking Beyond

        Those mentioned above should take a backseat for a moment, as John is high on getting a degree and 
making it bigger in the business. Flashing a 7 when asked to rate himself from 1-to-10 based on the characters 
he has portrayed, he feels he can do more and even better. Overall, he proudly gives himsself a 10, though. 
"Kasi happy ako sa laht ng ginagawa ko." John would love to tackle off-beat roles or something he has to 
research on. "Yung hindi ako, like Sean Penn's role in "I am Sam," he cites. "Sina Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, 
every movie nila iba sile kasi they experiment. Gusto ko ganun- every movie ko ibang itsura ko, ibang acting ko, 
ibang character ko." Not drawing boundaries in substanial acting makes a good actor,a ccording to John. 
"The crazier the better. Dapat hindi ka conscious sa ginagawa mo." Aiming for such recognition, he's confident 
that he can see himself through a slew of roles, but definitely no uncalled-for stripping in front of the camera. 
"Pag di ako confident, very transparent ako," he explains This year, John will be launched in his first solo movie, 
which he hopes will rake in th ebucks and the acclaim.
        Learning about every nook and cranny in his craft, John sees his experiences perhaps leading him to a film 
directorial debut. Or producing. Or branching out into Advertising and being his dad's business partner in their 
construction company, in Ad Gateway, and their production outfit. Or maybe launching a recording career and 
playing drums for a bands originals. Smart career-wise, this is similarly reflected in his finances. Together with 
Camille, he chipped in to have their family house built, and purchased a condo unit in posh Rockwell. Aside 
from plans of building futuristic houses, he's also into 4x4s and dreams of filling up his garage with a fleet! His 
RAV4 and a intended new Trooper will kick off the collection.
        Every hard-earned penny is carefully invested, that's why the additional 10% professional tax caused a 
stir among the celebrities' circle. "Unfair yun. Mabigat na nga yung 20%, what more kung 30%? Kawawa naman 
ang magbabayad sa amin. #0% plus our manager pa. Ano pa ang matitira sa amin?"
        John may not have a voice as powerful as bigwigs' in showbiz, but he's sure where he stands in the issue. 
He certainly represents a large group of young movers and shakers in the industry who are up to a cutting-edge 
act. 



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