JM DE GUZMAN is one of the most versatile actors in the Philippines right now. Starting out in indie films, he eventually became a favorite teleserye actor under ABS-CBN and eventually starred in a number of memorable shows. He is also one of the very few actors who can do mainstream and independent films.
He may have some personal circumstances in the previous years, but his network and his legions of fans continue to support him wholeheartedly due to his talent and good heart.
Now, JM de Guzman is back on primetime via the new Kapamilya show ‘Init sa Magdamag’ where she plays a villain role opposite Yam Concepcion and the equally controversial Gerald Anderson. Without further ado, let’s get to know JM more!
EARLY LIFE
JM was born as Juan Miguel Gob de Guzman on September 9, 1988 in Manila, Philippines. He studied at the Lourdes School of Quezon City for his grade school and high school diplomas.
In 2005, he got accepted at the prestigious University of the Philippines in Diliman, from where he finished his certification in Theater Arts. He majored in Performance Studies. It is during his days in UP that he started his love for wrestling, having joined and won awards for the UP Wrestling Club. He also competed in mixed martial arts.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
JM started his career in the industry as a model. His first stint in television was in 2001 where he played various roles in the youth-oriented variety show Ang TV 2. In 2003, he appeared in a minor role in the drama anthology Magpakailanman (Ricky Reyes Story) in GMA Network.
He had a brief break in showbusiness when he left temporarily in the years 2004-2007. JM worked his way up by accepting minor roles. He began his reentry in showbusiness in 2010 by appearing in different episodes of the live adaptation of romance novels – Precious Hearts Romances Presents.
BREAKTHROUGH
What is considered as his biggest break yet is when he landed the lead role of Gabriel Maglayon (previously played by the late Rico Yan) in the 2011 remake of Mula Sa Puso. Acting besides Lauren Young and Enrique Gil, JM proved his worth as the next bankable young actor of his generation.
With his breakout role, he landed the lead role in the series Angelito: Batang Ama and was paired with Charee Pineda. He continued to appear in different series in ABS CBN such as Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto, Maalaala Mo Kaya, Hawak Kamay and Ipaglaban Mo.
Some of his memorable shows include All of Me (with Yen Santos and Albert Martinez), Araw Gabi (with Barbie Imperial) and Pamilya Ko (with Sylvia Sanchez, Arci Munoz and more).
In terms of movies, he starred in a number of mainstream and indie films. Some of the most memorable ones include ‘Ang Babae sa Septic Tank’, ‘Last Fool Show’, ‘Kung Paano Siya Nawala’ and the iconic hugot film ‘That Thing Called Tadhana’ with Angelica Panganiban.
STUDIO ALBUMS
Aside from being a model and an actor, JM is also a certified recording artist. In 2011, he released his first self-titled album JM De Guzman which has 12 songs. He interpreted famous songs such as Out of My League, Kiss Me, and Nothing Compares 2 U.
Two years later, in 2013, he released his second studio Tensionado under Ivory Music and Video. It contains eight tracks, two of which are his originals.
CURRENT PROJECTS
JM is back again with another television series – Init sa Magdamag, where he is set to play a dark character. He is paired with Yam Concepcion in this drama. It is set to air at the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.
Now that you have a brief summary of his work, isn’t it amazing that he is such a well-rounded multi-talented individual? He can sing, dance and act, and wrestle too! Although he went through many challenges in life, what I admire about him is his tenacity to work hard and rise every time he falls. This alone is extremely admirable and commendable. I am looking forward to his new project with Yam Concepcion and Gerald Anderson, I am sure it will be another big hit!
