Their first movie together, Star Cinema’s Always Be My Maybe (directed by Dan Villegas), was a surprise hit, never mind if it didn’t have the usual “love angle” often touted to promote a movie. Gerald Anderson was already committed to Bea Alonzo (they reunited years after a brief romance) while Arci Muñoz was going steady with a rocker (with whom she has just broken up).
Their new starrer, Star Cinema’s Can We Still Be Friends? (they split up in the first movie), resonates with Gerald and Arci who, like their characters, have gone through a series of break-ups in real life (he has been linked to Kim Chiu, Sarah Geronimo and Maja Salvador; and she with, aside from the rocker, reportedly a “royal” person).
Because they have grown used to each other, Gerald and Arci clicked on the set of the movie which marks the first mainstream project of Prime Cruz. Arci even admitted having a crush on Gerald since way back, describing Gerald as the Philippine counterpart of Zac Efron, Arci’s crush. The comparison flattered Gerald.
“He’s very protective during the shoot of our love scenes,” said Arci. “Maingat na maingat. But you know what,” she added in jest, “I really took advantage of him.” Of course, Gerald didn’t mind.
The good thing about Gerald and Arci is that, unlike other stars, they don’t pretend that there’s something between them. Always Be My Maybe clicked because of the story and their convincing performance. Taking a cue from that, Conversations veered away from making Gerald and Arci discuss the “possibility” of them falling for each other and instead asked them to talk about their “first time” and “last time.”
- First time I fell in love/Last time I fell in love.
Gerald: First, 2006. Last, 2016.
Arci: First, with my mom and dad. Last: I’m always in love.
- First time I kissed a boy (girl)/Last time I kissed a boy (girl)
Gerald: When I was around seven years old during a bahay-bahayan (playing house). Last: During my shoot with Arci, the last girl that I kissed.
Arci: First was when I was 22. Sorry, bawal, eh. Hahaha!!! Grabe, nakakagulat ba yun? Hahaha!!! Last: Pass.
- First time I said, “I love you” to a boy (girl)/Last time I said “I love you” to a boy (girl)
Gerald: To my Mama, when I was four years old. Last: This morning when I woke up.
Arci: First, pass! Last: Pass!
- First time somebody broke my heart/Last time somebody broke my heart.
Gerald: First, I don’t remember. Na-amnesia ako. Last: Pass.
Arci: First, When I was 22. Last: Just recently.
- First time I broke somebody’s heart/Last time I broke somebody’s heart.
Gerald: First, pass! Last: Pass!
Arci: First, six years ago. Last: Two years ago.
- First time I cried really hard/Last time I cried really hard.
Gerald: First, so many times. Sobrang dami di ko na maalala. Last: Two days ago. You will see soon why.
Arci: First, when I lost my dog. Last: When I lost my dad.
- First time I got hurt by a media report/Last time I got hurt by a media report.
Gerald: First, I think after I got out of PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) in 2006. I was new then at siempre hindi pa ako sanay. Last: A long time ago, years ago pa. I don’t let myself be affected anymore.
Arci: First, when I was 18. Last: Nah, I don’t give a s--t no more.
- First time I lost my temper/Last time I lost my temper.
Gerald: First: Every day na kasama ko si Jalal (personal assistant). Last: Just a while ago.
Arci: First, siguro with my brother because he’s so makulit. Last: Kanina, out of frustration.
- First time I was star-struck/Last time I was star-struck.
Gerald: First, in 2006. I saw Ms. Bea Alonzo in Star Magic and I had my picture taken with her. Pinilit ni Ate Nhila (handler ko) si Ms. Bea na mag-picture kami. Last: During our last shooting day when I saw Arci. Nakaka-star-struck ‘yung ganda e.
Arci: First, with Gerald Anderson. Last: With Gerald Anderson.
- First thing I do as soon as I wake up/Last time I do before going to sleep.
Gerald: First, say thank you. Then, hilamos. Last: Say thank you. Then, tulog na.
Arci: First, lie down and stay in the bed. Hahaha!!! I just lie down and stare at the ceiling. Last: Pray.
- First time I realized that I was famous/Last time I realized I was famous.
Gerald: First, Nung pinartner ako kay Arci. Last: Nung sumayaw kami kanina ni Arci (Showtime) dun ko naramdaman, ay may narating na ko! Hehehe!!! Iba na sabi ko, iba na to.
Arci: First, nah, it’s not getting into my head. Last: I’m still cool.
- First time I invested on something/Last time I invested on something.
Gerald: First, gym equipment. Last: Gym equipment.
Arci: First, probably a car. Last: I put up my own make-up shop.
- First daring adventure that I did/Last daring adventure that I did.
Gerald: First, sky diving. Last: Nung naghahanap kami ng Lady Boy para kay Jalal sa Bangkok. Hehehe!!!
Arci: First, umakyat ako ng bubong to rescue a kitten. And then, I fell. Last: I tried skiing in Vancouver.
- First country that I visited/Last country that I visited.
Gerald: USA. Last: USA.
Arci: China. Last: Japan.
- First movie that I saw/Last movie that I saw.
Gerald: First, Drunken Master (starring Jackie Chan). Last: Castaway.
Arci: First, probably all the Disney classics. Last: Cinderella, again and again.
- First embarrassing experience I ever had/Last embarrassing experience I ever had.
Gerald: First, in school when I was teased that I had a crush. My dad used to tease me with the cheerleaders because nasa sport ako. Last: Kanina, fresh na fresh.
Arci: First, I won’t forget this. When I was a kid, they forced me to dance at a birthday party of my friend. And there was a clown. I stopped dancing because I was scared of the clown. So, I hate clowns talaga. Last: kanina but I won’t tell you what. Hahaha!!!
- First time I got depressed/Last time I got depressed.
Gerald: First, during my first months in showbiz. Last: I don’t remember.
Arci: First, when I lost my kitty. Last: When I lost my dad.
- First time I told a big lie/Last time I told a big lie.
Gerald: First, pass. Last: Pass.
Arci: First, I’m sure sa parents ko yon but I don’t remember about what. Last: Just recently.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)