First Pinoy Sole Survivor JC Tiuseco leaves basketball behind; pursues showbiz career

When JC Tiuseco joined the first Survivor Philippines, one of his intentions was to use the reality program as a stepping stone to show business.

"At the back of my mind, siyempre, nandoon na 'yon," said JC in a recent interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).  Lahat naman kami na sumali sa Survivor, gusto rin naming talaga na makapasok eventually sa showbiz.  Sabi nga ni Patani, 'Exposure.'  Nandoon na talaga na, ' Kailangan ko 'to.  Exposure ito sa akin if I wanna enter showbiz.'  Pero siyempre kailangan mong laruin 'yong game.  Alam mo na kaya ka nagpunta doon dahil hindi lang sa exposure, e, gusto mong manalo ka, gusto mong ikaw ang maging First Sole Survivor."

Being a celebrity was what JC thought as the next step after his modeling stint.  He explained, "After modeling kasi, noong nagmo-model ako, parang iniisip ko, 'What's next after modeling?  Ano na ang gagawin ko?' Hindi naman puwedeng lagi na lang akong modeling diyan.  Paano kung na-lock out na ako sa mga product na nakuha for endorsements.  So, what's next?  Ito na 'yong next level na naisip ko, e, ang showbiz."

What about his basketball career?  It can be remembered that he was first known as a hardcourt heartthrob while he was still playing for the San Sebastian Recoletos Golden Stags.

"Ang basketball ko is more of a hobby na lang.   Pero I'm still playing for a commercial league team o kaya sa Chinese league team," answered JC.

STARTING WITH HOSTING JOB.  After he was declared the first Pinoy Sole Survivor, JC immediately got a hosting-job offer from GMA-7's morning show Unang Hirit.  This was actually another first for the 23-year-old former varsity player.

When asked about his experience so far, JC laughed while narrating his first day in Unang Hirit.  He said, "'Yong Unang Hirit, noong una, sobrang stiff ko, kasi hindi naman ako host.  First hosting job ko at ang stiff-stiff ko.  Hindi ko alam kung paano makikipag-usap sa co-host ko."

He then told PEP that he was not really expecting to be a television host.  The Unang Hirit segment host said,   "Hindi ko aakalain na magiging ganito ang job ko, hindi naman kasi ako madaldal."

During his short hosting job, however, many already noticed  improvement in his newfound job, JC said.

He excitedly related to PEP, "Ngayon, natutuwa lang ako kasi one week or six days pa lang ako nagwo-work for Unang Hirit, pero nakita ko naman ang improvement ko sa sarili ko.  Marami ring tao na nagsasabi sa akin na, 'Uy, ang laki na ng in-improve mo.'  Comfy na ako sa mga kasama ko at nakakabato na ako ng mga lines ko nang mas okay.  Pero siyempre, there's always room for improvement, marami pa akong matututunan."

HOPING TO BECOME AN ACTOR.  JC is also serious about fulfilling his dream to become a dramatic actor. In fact, he is currently taking workshops in acting and hosting to sharpen his skills.

"Aside from hosting, na binigyan na ako ng break ng GMA-7, gusto ko talagang mag-drama or action.  Kasi, 'yong action, sa [Koh Tarutao] island pa lang, ang dami nang action.  'Yong mga talun-talon naming doon, hindi naman calculated stunts 'yon.

Drama, kasi parang masaya 'yong makikita nila ako sa labas na hindi naman ako umiiyak except sa Survivor, nakita nila akong umiiyak. Feeling ko, kakayanin ko 'yong drama basta mabigyan lang ako ng experience or break, ganun."

If given the chance, JC wants to work with several Kapuso actresses.  "Siyempre, gusto kong maka-partner 'yong magagaling na artista, like sila Rhian [Ramos], Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon.  Kasi nandoon na sila, e, parang kung sila man ang makaka-partner ko o makakasama ko sa soap, marami na akong matututunan from them."

He recalled his first acting experience with young actress Jennica Garcia in the weekly drama Maynila.

JC narrated, "Si Jennica Garcia, naka-work ko na sa Maynila, partner ko siya doon.  So, nakita ko naman na talaga supportive siya kasi alam niya na first acting job ko 'yon.  Parang tinuturuan niya ako at kapag nagkakamali ako, sinasabi niya, 'Okay lang 'yan.  First time mo, alam kong kinakabahan ka.  Hindi mo pa mailalabas ang pag-arte mo dito.'"

Although he admitted that he's not yet a good actor, JC remained positive that he would get his chance to show off what he got this year.

"This year, sana makasama ako sa isang soap, magkaroon ako ng acting job.  Positive naman ako diyan sa acting job ko this year.  Feeling ko naman magkakaroon naman, so, sana bigyan ako ng project ng GMA-7," he ended hopefully.