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Zanjoe Marudo recently took home an award from the 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards for Best Single Performance by an Actor trophy for his Maalaala Mo Kaya episode entitled Kuliglig. In an interview after he received the trophy, Zanjoe shared his happiness about finally winning an acting award. “Nabigla nga ako. Hindi ko inexpect. Ito ang una kong acting award. Bilang aktor ito talaga ang kung baga kukumpleto sa iyo. Hindi ka naman nagtatrabaho para lang magpapansin at humingi ng award. Obligasyon mo ‘yun sa mga manonood. Para sa akin bonus na lang na napapansin ‘yung galing mo at nabibigyan ka ng award.”

The moreno model-turned-actor dedicated his first acting award to those people who inspired him to tirelessly improve on his craft. “Inspirasyon ko ‘yung mga taong naniniwala sa akin, mga patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin. Ginagawa ko naman itong trabaho ko nang mahusay dahil din sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Siyempre para rin ito sa pamilya ko. Sa mga taong laging nandiyan para sa akin simula noong pumasok ako sa showbiz, 2006 ‘yun. Maraming salamat.”

Zanjoe’s 2011 is packed with grand projects which include two teleseryes—Precious Hearts Romances presents Hiyas and Alta—plus the Maalaala Mo Kaya movie with Bea Alonzo and Angel Locsin. He then thanked his home network ABS-CBN for always believing in his talent and professionalism. “Natutuwa ako na napakaraming blessings na dumadating sa akin. Nagpapasalamat ako na ang ABS-CBN patuloy ang pagtitiwala sa akin para gumawa ng magagandang proyekto.”

After last year’s much-publicized split from long time girlfriend Mariel Rodriguez, Zanjoe recently confessed that he is dating Bea. He said that Bea congratulated him upon learning that he won an award from Gawad Tanglaw. “Iba ang nagsabi sa kanya. Natuwa naman siya for me. Nag-congratulate naman siya sa akin.”

When asked, if aside from finally having an acting award and maintaining a successful showbiz career, Bea is among the reasons he is very much happy right now, Zanjoe gave a vague answer. “Basta masaya ako ngayon. Marami namang nagpapasaya sa akin.”

He was then further probed about Bea being his inspiration for work at this time. However, Zanjoe decided to evade giving particular details about his relationship with Bea. “Simula naman noong nag umpisa ako, habang tumatagal unti unti kang natututo dahil sa mga taong nakakatrabaho mo. Hanggang ngayon wala namang nagbago. Nagtatrabaho pa rin ako para ma improve ‘yung sarili ko at dahil masaya ako, hindi lang dahil sa ibang tao.”