JM De Guzman shares his experience getting ‘trumpo’ lessons from Cardong Trumpo for “MMK”

Life has a funny way of resembling a spinning top. Some days you glide smoothly, balanced and sure, while on others, you wobble at the edge. But you just need to hold on and keep spinning through whatever comes your way. 

In the latest offering of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” JM de Guzman takes on the challenge of portraying the life of Ricardo Cadavero, better known to the public as Cardong Trumpo, the construction worker and devoted father who recently captured the nation’s hearts after bringing his jaw-dropping trumpo skills to "Pilipinas Got Talent" Season 7, where he emerged as the grand winner. 

With all the fame Cardo is enjoying now after winning “PGT,” JM admits he actually felt a bit ‘starstruck’ meeting him, especially when Cardo himself started teaching him how to play ‘trumpo’ for the role. JM had to learn the skill from the ground up, and it wasn’t easy since the 'trumpos' handcrafted by Cardo himself are much sharper than regular ones. "Natatakot akong bitawan 'yung trumpo niya, kasi sobrang talas 'pag nagkamali baka may masaktan ako. Pero okay naman," shared the Kapamilya actor. 

Aside from his love for “MMK,” JM accepted the role because of how rich Cardo’s story is—filled with lessons on how someone can rise and navigate through life despite hardships.  

"Ang bait niya. Sobrang humble, down to earth, at saka 'pag nagsasalita siya sobrang welcoming," said JM. He added that Cardo was generous in opening up about his life, which helped him dive deeper into the role. He would constantly talk to him, ask questions, and try to understand how Cardo wanted his journey to be portrayed. Through these conversations, he observed that Cardo remains soft-spoken and quiet despite everything he had gone through. 

The episode doesn’t just revolve around Cardong Trumpo’s “PGT” journey as it also presents his life from childhood, showing how his heart was once filled with anger due to painful experiences within his family, and how, over time, he learned to forgive. One of the most difficult parts to portray, JM said, was the emotional wound Cardo carried from his relationship with his father,  "'Yun ang bubog niya, at naka-relate din ako.” 

 JM revealed that some parts of Cardo's story resonated with him deeply, and he felt like he was looking at a reflection of his own life, which is why he believes the episode will also move and inspire viewers.  

 When asked to describe the man behind the spinning top, JM used the word “resilient.” And if he were to give him a message, he’d say, "Tatay Cardo, idol kita. Sana patuloy mo lang 'yung pagharap mo sa buhay nang nasa tama lagi ang daan, making the right decisions and choices."  

JM is paired with Jennica Garcia, playing his wife in "MMK: The Cardong Trumpo Story," and he has nothing but praise for her as an actress and for who she is off-cam. "Nagtutulungan kami sa set," shared JM, noting how Jennica offered him comfort and encouragement as she was fully aware of the emotional depth required for Cardo’s role. 

Just like a trumpo, life keeps moving, but what matters is how you stay grounded through it all. Catch "MMK: The Cardong Trumpo Story," tonight, July 12, at 8:30 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, (KOL) and A2Z.