JM De Guzman has long proven himself as one of the most compelling actors of his generation, someone who can break your heart with a single line or pull you right into the emotional depths of every character he plays. From the time he took on the titular role in “Angelito: Batang Ama,” we’ve seen his career expand into a rich, well-curated filmography that spans mainstream hits, indie gems, and emotionally layered teleseryes, all while staying grounded in his craft.
And despite everything he’s already done, JM remains the kind of actor who never stops chasing growth, still a sucker for well-written stories, still drawn to characters that challenge or even scare him a little—and that hunger is exactly what makes him such a standout.
In this episode of Kapamilya Chat, JM takes on a special Q&A all about acting, where he opens up about his process and favorite roles.
When asked about his dream project, JM shared that he’s always wanted to portray a character with split personalities, similar to James McAvoy’s role in the movie "Split" where the character has 23 distinct identities. “I think sobrang magiging challenging 'yun sa akin as an actor,” he said. And we think he'd absolutely kill it in a role like that.
He also picked a question about his dream collaborations. JM said there are so many actors he looks up to and wants to work with, but at the top of his list are names like Joel Torre, John Arcilla, and Christopher de Leon.
JM was also asked about his dream leading lady, and with that familiar shy smile, he named "It's Showtime" host and "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" actress Anne Curtis. He admitted it feels like a “suntok sa buwan,” and that Anne’s level of talent can be a little intimidating, but she’s definitely one of the artists he admires.
JM has played so many roles throughout his career, but when asked which one is the most special to him, he mentioned "Angelito" from the teleserye "Angelito: Batang Ama." It was his first lead role, and he's proud of the show's success which even led to a second season, “Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto.” "Tumatak talaga sa akin 'yung role na Angelito and bata pa ako no'n, 19, pero role ko may anak na," he reminisced, grateful for how it helped shape his career.
When asked what he loves most about acting, JM reflected on how this line of work feels almost therapeutic for him. “Nakaka-release siya ng past traumas,” he shared, explaining that it’s not really wearing the character that’s difficult, but it’s the "taking off" part or what industry veterans refer to as “pagpag.” What JM does to help him let go of a character is visit the rehabilitation facility where he previously underwent treatment and talk to his counselors to help release whatever the role may have left behind.
JM hinted that he has an upcoming project in the works, and we can all definitely look forward to the new character he’s about to serve us.