No more inhibitions between Erich and Enchong

CEBU, Philippines - They say absence makes the heart grow fonder…or in the case of Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee, taking a respite from their popular loveteam did them a world of good. Not only did working apart widen their horizons, it has also managed to strengthen the foundation of their friendship, the young stars claim.

“I think it’s a big thing that we were not teamed up for three years,” offers Enchong on how it felt to reunite with the Davaoeña actress for a movie. “This is the first time we’ve worked again after a long time. When we had to take a break from the love team, I had said we needed that to grow apart. She has to learn from other leading men, I have to learn from other leading ladies. Now that we’re reunited, more than our film’s story, we’re adults already. When we were watching our scenes while dubbing our lines, we would say, ‘Ah, oo nga, alam na namin kung bakit, alam na namin kung bakit siya sinasabing adult love story.’ And it’s a really beautiful adult love story.”

Enchong is talking about “Once A Princess,” a film adaptation of the best-selling Precious Hearts Romances novel of the same title by Angel Bautista. This theatrical release by Skylight Films and Regal Films sees Erich and Enchong in a complicated triangle with JC de Vera.

The project marks their reunion after being paired in the 2010 romantic-comedy flick “I Do,” and in their last soap opera in the ABS-CBN remake of “Mario la del Barrio” in 2011.

Erich and Enchong, who both faced the Cebu press during an interview at the Abaseria Restaurant, harped on their transformation from immature teens to the level-headed grown-ups they have now become. “Enchong and I have become closer than ever. Where before we used to think, that was the farthest we could get to being close friends, we couldn’t imagine that we could get this closer with one another,” marvels Erich. “We’re both mature now. We already know each other very well. We don’t have to say a word, but we can already read what the other is thinking. Our connection has grown stronger.”

There are perks to teaming up with someone he shares a deep kinship with, according to Enchong. For one, misunderstandings are ironed out easily, for they have learned to deal with each other’s temperaments.

The 25-year-old actor says, “It’s easy to surpass situations such as kung nagkakatampuhan kayo, and I admit we did go through that stage. But once you get through that, your relationship will grow stronger and you know that it will last longer. You will always have that kind of friend who you’re very comfortable with. You will always have this partner who can jive with easily.”

What do they do when conflict between them does arise? “Conversation,” was Enchong’s quick reply. “I think all misunderstandings can be solved by talking to one another. And both of us are good at that.”

“But that [misunderstandings] was a long time ago, when we were still young and immature,” chimes in Erich.

Much can happen in three years, and in a fast-paced industry and despite the technology, it’s sometimes easy to lose touch of friends while one is busy gaining new ones. Enchong says they made sure that didn’t happen to them – they kept tabs of each other’s lives and maintained open lines of communication.

“When we see each other in ‘ASAP,’ it feels like we weren’t apart at all. I don’t think our relationship will be this strong  if along the way we don’t talk to each other, right? She in fact, invited me to her restaurant, and I’ve been there twice so far,” Enchong shares.

Their real-life maturity and chemistry are sure to translate on-screen, these Kapamilya talents vow.

Directed by Laurice Guillen, “Once A Princess” tells the story of a popular girl who messes around with the heart of their bespectacled class geek. In their school, Erin (Erich) belongs to a clique of famous girls while Leonard (Enchong) is a nerdy boy who grows up to be a rich scientist. Seven years later, the two cross paths again, and there is now a reversal of roles in their social status.

“It’s not a faithful adaptation, since we added characters and a few elements, with the approval of course, of the publisher and writer,” Erich qualifies. “This is real drama of real people in real life. Our characters here are not perfect. What’s important is how they rectify their mistakes, how they stood by their decisions – it’s all about life choices. So far, this is my most mature role.  It’s my first time to work with JC, and surprisingly, there was no awkwardness. As much as I can, I don’t do scenes half-heartedly. When the director tells me this is what should happen, I give my all.”

More than the mature characters, Enchong says the movie’s main selling point is the story itself.  “And when the director is Laurice Guillen, there is that expectation of the film being a drama that’s close to reality,” he adds.

Admitting to being a big fan of the Bea Alonzo-John Lloyd Cruz tandem, Enchong says seeing their flick “The Mistress” made him wish to take part in a similar concept in the future. He considers “Once A Princess” the fulfillment of this dream.

He shares, “When they were doing revisions for ‘Once A Princess,’ I thought this was the chance to do something that’s not pa-tweetums. We’re not getting any younger, so we’re thankful to be given this opportunity.”

And while Erich and Enchong are currently romantically linked to other people outside of showbiz, they say this is no issue to their loyal fans. There are no illusions shattered among their die-hard followers, says Enchong, for there was never any pretense on their part that they were also playing sweet music in real life.

“Our audience has always looked up to us because of our performance. I don’t think management will trust us with numerous projects together if they didn’t see any on-screen chemistry between us. Work is work, and we really separate our personal lives from that. It’s very rare for the two of us to have any inhibitions when doing scenes. We don’t play up for the fans, such as pretending to have something between us, for them to like us. We’ve been very honest from the beginning,” says Enchong.

“Once A Princess” will be shown in cinemas nationwide starting August 6.  (FREEMAN)