Entertainment

Alex & Joseph: Almost but not quite

CONVERSATIONS - Ricky Lo - The Philippine Star

September 25, 2016 | 12:00am

Back then when they starred in Pure Love, the Kapamilya adaptation of the Koreanovela, Alex Gonzaga and Joseph Marco almost became lovers, a possibility rudely interrupted when the teleserye ended. Will the flame be rekindled now that they are back together in My Rebound Girl of Regal Films (showing nationwide starting on Wednesday, Sept. 28), their first big movie break?

It was the Regal mother-daughter tandem of Mother Lily Monteverde and Roselle who remembered what they called “the TV magic” of Alex and Joseph and deemed it high time they teamed up in a movie.

Directed by Emmanuel de la Cruz (Slumber Party, Kailangan Kita and Sarung Banggi), My Rebound Girl features Alex in the titular role as a girl who keeps bouncing back after every fall (in love), until she crosses paths with Joseph’s character.

Here are Alex and Joseph in separate Conversations:

You first worked together on the ABS-CBN show Pure Love. What have you learned from and about each other that helped your work in My Rebound Girl?

Joseph: I’ve learned that for a love team to work, you really have to work as a team.

Alex: Joseph lets me be whatever! He finds me funny and he appreciates my personality so I’m comfortable working with him.

There was chemistry between you (in Pure Love) that could have developed into a real-life romance. What happened? Were both of you “committed” to somebody else?

Joseph: We both think that it wasn’t the right time just yet so instead, we chose to get to know each other more as friends.

Alex: No. We were just focused on other aspects of life. He wasn’t a priority at that time.

Do you find “ideal girl/ideal boy” qualities in each other?

Joseph: Yes! She loves her family, fears and loves God, has a very kind heart and is humble, too. We get along very well.

Alex: Yes! Jowsy (that’s how I call him) is very mysterious, caring and sweet to me, much more so I think if I am his girlfriend.

Have you ever had any “rebound” experience in real life?

Joseph: None.

Alex: Yes, in college. I knew I was a “rebound” and I even told the guy I could help him court his ex back.

What is in your roles that you identify with?

Joseph: Rich, my character, is a bit serious about his life and when it comes to love, he has no reservations. I think those are the two qualities that I can identify with.

Alex: Rocky, my character, is easily convinced that men will not hurt her. I am somewhat like that.

Tell us interesting sidelights on the set.

Joseph: Cathy (Alex’s first name is Catherine) and I love to eat together and annoy each other. We enjoy each other’s company.

Alex: We were in Benguet. We were stepping on fresh coffee beans. Maybe there was a higad (caterpillar) because our feet became super itchy, so we had to be rushed to a hospital.

How many times have you fallen in (and out of) love? How did you manage to move on?

Joseph: I’ve fallen in love twice. I managed to move on by keeping myself busy. And also by moving forward without looking back.

Alex: Probably twice and I have written two books to finally close those chapters in my life.

Let us see if you match by completing the following sentences:

Joseph: My pet peeve is…whenever people say they would hang out with you and they cancel at the last minute.

Alex: My pet peeves are…pretentious people and insects.

Joseph: What excites me is…the future.

Alex: What excites me is…new opportunities.

Joseph: I am in my best mood...at night!

Alex: I am in my best mood…at night.

Joseph: What makes me angry is…a messy room!?!

Alex: What makes me angry is…when someone betrays me.