Gerald Anderson welcomed the positive comment of his leading lady Ivana Alawi while filming their upcoming ABS-CBN series, A Family Affair. Ivana earlier said that she appreciates Gerald’s kind gestures on set.
“That was the point,” Gerald reacted in a virtual call. “Stressful ‘tsaka mahirap yung ginagawa namin. At the end of the day, I think the important thing was to make your co-actors feel comfortable and relaxed during the taping.”
He continued, “After you’ve done a project, siyempre gusto natin sabihin nila na we gave our best performance. But when you hear your co-actors say na, ‘OK si Ge kasama, masaya siyang kasama,’ mas masarap pakinggan yun.”
As the more experienced actor, he made sure that Ivana would feel safe, especially doing their steamy love scenes, knowing that the series is the latter’s first lead role.
In the much-talked-about trailer of A Family Affair that shows Gerald and Ivana’s bed scene and chemistry, he shared how it was tough for Ivana to do that part.
When Gerald entered the room where that love scene was filmed, he was already in the zone as his character and prepared mentally to do his task. As for Ivana, he commented, “I’m not sure what was going through her mind. As a woman, (the scene was) medyo sensitive (for her). (As his co-actor), gusto mong gawing safe yung environment for her,” shared the Init sa Magdamag star.
“Medyo exposed siya in a way na talagang mahirap talaga siya bilang isang babae. It was our job (with direk Jerome Pobocan) na alalayan siya and make sure na feeling niya safe siya. Nagpatugtog ng music si direk on her request and get on with the scene. Inalalayan ko siya para hindi ma-overexpose,” offered Gerald.
He also described the actress and social media personality as “very passionate and very professional.”
“I know deep down inside na talagang gustong-gusto ni Ivana yung ginagawa niya (acting). It was difficult pero kita mo na gusto niya,” he furthered.
Having been in the industry for quite some time, Gerald admitted it was always a challenge to offer something new to the audience, especially doing the love scenes. He confessed, “Even the simple act like pagtingin sa kanya, or kung aanuhin ko yung buhok niya or hahawakan ko yung balikat niya. It should always be different from previous projects. That was the challenge kung medyo sunod-sunod yung trabaho.”
“It’s something that, of course, our audience wants to sit down and watch. You want to give (a new flavor to it),” he added.
On the other hand, direk Jerome noted the onscreen chemistry of the two. “They’re both professionals. Madali silang kausap,” he mentioned. “It’s a new pair-up. Makikita pa lang natin kung ano ang kaibahan nila. They have chemistry on screen as the characters Paco (Gerald) and Cherry Red (Ivana). Makikita niyong may pagmamahal yung dalawa (characters) eventually.”
In the series, Gerald plays Paco, the second among the Estrella brothers with Dave as the eldest (played by Sam Milby); Seb (Jake Ejercito); and Drew (Jameson Blake). The siblings have a common interest — Cherry Red.
His character as Paco was very challenging and interesting at the same time for him. He explained, “Usually, in the other soaps that I’ve done, the premise at times is boy meets girl and they fall in love. But this one, my character as Paco, he loves her more. He’s the one pursuing her. His world revolves around her.”
“He would do everything for the girl na sa simula hindi ganun ka strong yung feelings ni Cherry Red para kay Paco,” he detailed.
The actor took on the role as a challenge because “kahit anong mangyayari, makukuha at makukuha ko yung loob niya (Cherry Red). I hope that the audience will see that and the challenge as well. The obstacle of how I will win the girl that I love. That’s what excites me every taping day at every time we work (on set).”
Nevertheless, he pointed out his shared similarities with his character as Paco and Gerald in real life. He told The STAR, “Pinu-protekthan natin mga mahal natin sa buhay at all costs. Pagmamahal natin sa pamilya. Pagmamahal natin sa partner natin.”
Speaking of family affairs, Gerald was asked about his relationship with the family of his girlfriend Julia Barretto and vice versa. Stressing the importance of healthy family relationships, he said, “Importante yan eh na yung mga mahal ng mahal mo, mahal ka rin at mahal mo sila at OK kayong lahat. Sa awa (ng) Diyos, ganun yung setup. They’re great people, masarap kausap, punong-puno ng wisdom and masaya kasama.”
A Family Affair is also directed by Raymund Ocampo and will premiere soon on Kapamilya Channel.