Andrew E to showcase acting chops in ‘Dolce Amore’

Rapper Andrew E is starring in his very first teleserye for ABS-CBN as part of the cast of “Dolce Amore,” the new primetime offering of the Kapamilya network topbilled by the tandem of Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano. The rapper, who is better known as a comedian, is excited to be doing his first serious acting job in a drama series.

“It’s a primetime series and it has LizQuen as the lead stars, so come on, why will I say no?” Andrew E told the press at the launch of “Dolce Amore” the other day at the 9501 Restaurant at the 14th floor of the ABS-CBN Building in Quezon City.

He will be taping three times a week but it would not cause conflict with his schedule since he is also doing a show for TV5. Andrew E said he was very pleased with the offer and ABS-CBN didn’t mind if he has a show on another network. “It seems the production is really interested to get me for a role in this series,” the rapper added.

Andrew E said he didn’t even inquire about his talent fee. “I believe this is going to a very fruitful project for everybody,” he added. In the series, Andrew will play husband to Sunshine Cruz and according to him, his role will hold the key to the secret in the story.

Kidding aside, is it really the talent fee that made him say yes to the offer? “Nagparinig ako sa kanila na sana maganda ang talent fee,” said Andrew E with a laugh. “I told them pag ginawa ko ang teleserye, this will make me very busy eh election period na. Sayang naman ang kikitain ko sa mga campaign since I am in demand. When Tita Tang (the production coordinator) got back to me, she gave me a price that I cannot refuse. Sabi pa niya sa akin, sige subukan mong tumanggi sa offer ko. Hahaha. That made me say yes.”

Is it true he was offered three times the talent fee that he would be getting if he says yes to any campaign sortie? “Well, Tita Tang, thank you very much for the nice talent fee but I must say that I like the role because he holds the secret and I will be coming out in the show’s fifth week of airing so parang may suspense. Ano kaya ang revelation ng character ko? Abangan!” Andrew E revealed.

He himself was surprised that he was chosen for the part. “Baka ang role ko comedian or fifth lead or sixth lead. Hindi ko masasabi kasi I was told not to reveal much about my role. The excitement is there kasi there is mystery. Besides, I am an actor here, not a rapper. Seryoso ba ang role ko? Ako raw ay kapatid ni Enrique Gil and Sunshine Cruz is my wife. My character holds the secret to the story. That’s what made say yes to the role, aside from the talent fee, of course,” he explained.

“Dolce Amore” is memorable for him since it is his first teleserye and there is a possibility that his role is more challenging than what he initially expects. “Whether or not I will be able to deliver, whether the people will like my performance or not, we will only know once the teleserye is finished already,” he said.

In fact, Andrew E admitted to being nervous when he finally said yes to the offer. “Doon ko lang naisip paano ko kaya gagawin ang role. I know how to sing and rap and do comedy pero iba ang acting sa teleserye. Noong naka-oo na ako saka ako kinabahan so I discussed it with my wife Mylene kung ano ang gagawin ko sa first taping day. Tapos ang director namin, Cathy Garcia Molina, ang galing! One doesn’t always get the chance to do a role in a teleserye. Yung karakter ko rito, hindi based sa pagiging Andrew E ko kundi sa talent ko. This is a great opportunity for me to show my acting talent,” he said in parting.

Aside from the hit tandem of Enrique and Liza, “Dolce Amore” also stars Matteo Guidicelli, Cherie Gil, Rio Locsin, Kean Cipriano, and Edgar Mortiz. It will start airing this Monday,  February 8.

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The cast and staff of “Bubble Gang” are grieving the death of its director Uro dela Cruz. We would like to extend our condolences to the “Bubble Gang” cast as well as to the family of the departed director. Rest in peace, Direk Uro.

We know Direk Uro as the director of the award-winning and longest-running gag show on Philippine TV. But as a writer, he wrote two very controversial film projects namely “Scorpio Nights” and “The Unfaithful Wife.” We heard of plans to have a theater adaptation of “Scorpio Nights,” but the death of Direk Uro happened before that pushed through.

Now that he is gone, we wonder who will take his place as director of “Bubble Gang.” He may be gone, but as the showbiz saying goes, “The show must go on.” Appearing as guest performers in “Bubble Gang” tonight are Valeen Montenegro, Kim Domingo, Gwen Zamora, Liezl Pecson, Derrick Monasterio and Rob Moya.