CinemaBravo

Actor-dancer Rayver Cruz scored 859 on the “Ikaw Ang Alas Punching Machine” at the Aurora Music Festival on May 2 in Clark, Pampanga, surpassing professional boxer Manny Pacquiao’s previous record of 782.

“Siyempre, ang feeling ko, kinabahan ako kasi si idol Manny ang gumamit nito, di ba? Buti, ano naman siya, ‘user-friendly.’ So, masarap sa feeling na nakasapak tayo.”

(Of course, I felt nervous because idol Manny used this, right? Good thing it’s user-friendly. So, it feels good to have landed a punch.)

When asked how he feels about beating Pacman’s record, he added, “Feeling ko boxer na ’ko! I’m sure naman na ginawa ni Sir Manny yun para maka-beat non. Siyempre, I’m sure kung seseryosohin niya ’to, baka lumagpas nang lumagpas yung score—masira yung machine!” he said in jest.

(I feel like I’m a boxer now! I’m sure Sir Manny did that to beat the score. Of course, if he takes this seriously, the score might keep going higher and higher—it might even break the machine!)

He went on to downplay the idea of ever facing the boxing legend himself, saying, “Hindi, manonood na lang ako. Idol ko yon!” (No, I’ll just watch. He’s my idol!)

Asked if he has ever punched someone in real life, he immediately replied, “Wala, wala! Bad yan, bad yan.” (None, none! That’s bad, that’s bad.)

Responsible gaming and life updates with Julie Anne

Shifting to his role at the event, Rayver emphasized responsible gaming as he shared, “Lagi naman sinasabi ng lahat—di ba—I’ll stick to that din: play for fun, game responsibly. So, kailangan enjoy lang, pero alam natin kung hanggang saan.”

(Everyone always says that, right? I’ll stick to that too: play for fun, game responsibly. So, just enjoy, but know your limits.)

He also gave advice to those planning to try GameZone: “Enjoy lang, but game responsibly talaga. Kasi nga, basta, kailangan enjoyin mo lang, wag kang masyadong—alam mo yon!”

(Just enjoy, but really play responsibly. Basically, you just have to enjoy it and not go overboard—you know what I mean.)

Meanwhile, questions about his relationship with Julie Anne San Jose continue to come up. Rayver said, “Every year, yan yung tanong sa ’kin. Pero you know what, hindi ko naman sinisikreto. Kung ano man ang mangyari sa ’kin and in the future with Julie, malalaman n’yo rin naman.”

(Every year, that’s the question I get. But you know what, I’m not keeping anything a secret. Whatever happens to me and in the future with Julie, you’ll all find out anyway.)

He also addressed rumors that he has already proposed, clarifying, “Ay, hindi! Kasi imposible naman na mas unang malaman dito kaysa sa mahal ko. Malalaman naman nila kung kailan. Wala naman akong sinisikreto.”

(No! Because it’s impossible for it to be known here first before the person I love. People will know when the time comes. I’m not hiding anything.)

Career plans, message to Pacquiao, and energy saving

Looking ahead, Rayver shared that despite being part of three TV shows in 2026, he still hopes to take on a teleserye within the year.

“Hopefully, bago matapos yung taon or kung kailan man puwede, makagawa na rin ng teleserye.”

(Hopefully, before the year ends or whenever possible, I can do a teleserye.)

He also expressed his appreciation to former senator Pacquiao, saying, “Senator, thank you po at na-try ko na ’to at napagbigyan n’yo po ako na manalo sa record.”

(Senator, thank you for letting me try this and for giving me the chance to beat the record.)

Beyond the event, Rayver also spoke about being mindful of energy consumption, sharing, “Kasi ever since naman, kahit hindi energy crisis, lumaki ako sa pamilya na talagang kung hindi kailangan, hindi ginagamit. Siguro ang pinakakasalanan ko lang, dahil gamer ako, medyo yung computer ko talaga laging nakabukas. Pero kung hindi naman kailangan—kung kailangang mag-save, kaya naman mag-save. At sana ngayon, yon yung kailangan natin. Mahirap ngayon, mahal ang lahat ng gastusin.”

(Ever since, even without an energy crisis, I grew up in a family where if something isn’t needed, it’s not used. Maybe my only fault is that since I’m a gamer, my computer tends to stay on. But if it’s not needed—if we need to save—we can save. And hopefully now, that’s what we need. Things are hard right now, everything is expensive.)

As for future plans, he revealed he is considering getting a hybrid car, following his brother Rodjun Cruz.

“Planning pa lang. Para sa ’kin, kailangan na rin siya nowadays. So, eventually. Nauna na si Rodjun.”

(It’s still in the planning stage. For me, it’s something needed nowadays. So, eventually. Rodjun got one first.)