A blessing in disguise for Joseph Bitangcol

Joseph Bitangcol knows that hadn’t it been for a strange twist of fate that broke the Sandara Park-Hero Angeles loveteam, people will not take notice of him the way they’re doing now. Not that he had anything to do with it in the first place.

In fact, Joseph is nice enough to say that if he had his way, he’d rather see Hero back and acting before the cameras again. But since Sandara’s former loveteam mate has bowed out from the scene, Joseph has accepted the fact that he is filling in Hero’s shoes as the other half of a romantic pair with his real-life sweetheart.

"It’s a blessing in disguise," concedes Joseph of this new, welcome twist in his career. But he’s not leaving it all to fate. Joseph says with pride that he and Sandara are working hard at their new romantic pairing. And they won’t leave its success to chance or the public’s curiosity over the novelty of their teamup.

Comedy, for one, is strange territory to the serious Joseph. But he gave it all he’s got in Star Cinema’s summer offering, D’Lucky Ones with Sandara, Nikki Valdez, Pokwang, Candy Pangilinan, Eugene Domingo, Carla Humphries, Janus del Prado, JR Valentin and PBB housemate Franzen Fajardo.

Director Wenn Deramas (Tanging Ina) is upbeat about Joseph, explaining that Sandara’s one true love listens closely to instructions and follows them to the letter. His co-stars, seasoned comedians all, second the motion.

The other plus factor, of course, is working with the love of his life. They don’t have to pretend closeness even for a minute. But even sweethearts working together have their inevitable lovers’ quarrels and Joseph admits he finds it hard to mask his feelings when these things happen.

Luckily, the LQs don’t last a day, with Sandara and Joseph apologizing to each other in no time at all.

So what do they fight over?

Little things, like Joseph not talking or minding her when he’s tired from a hard day’s work. Sandara feels he doesn’t want to show the world that they belong to each other, says Joseph.

Girls and gays texting him sweet messages also bring out the green-eyed monster in Sandara.

"I haven’t changed my SIM card for so long, so I don’t even know who these people are," says Joseph.

To prove his sincerity, and that he has nothing to hide, Joseph says he leaves his cellphone with Sandara.

His girlfriend will joke about the saccharine messages, but will eventually calm down. After all, Joseph has assured her the Bitangcol family are solidly behind her in her problems (e.g. about her dad).

"I make her feel I’m there for her, especially when she feels she has no friends and no one to run to," adds Joseph.

Sandara confirms this. Joseph, she throws a meaningful glance at the guy beside her, is a "shoulder to cry on," her stuffed toy – made for hugging and seeking comfort in when the chips are down.

She knows she will have some explaining to do especially to her dad, who thinks a proper Korean girl can only have a boyfriend when she’s 25 (Sandara is 21).

At the rate things are going though, Sandara and Joseph’s love for each other can weather even strong opposition from her dad. After all, they’ve been sweethearts for more than a year now – quite a long time especially in a world as fickle as showbiz.

"Sandara is very important to me. And I’m dead sure about my love for her," Joseph says without batting an eyelash. Sandara – for all her insecurities and misgivings – has nothing to fear.