At a recent exclusive Manila Bulletin coverage of the taping of the primetime remake of Regal Films’ “Katorse” held at the Parks & Wildlife in Quezon City, Erich Gonzales expressed how lucky she feels these days that she has been given the biggest break of her showbiz career.

In the forthcoming ABS-CBN teleserye, Erich plays the role essayed by Dina Bonnevie in the original movie. “Playing that role alone that was played by a great actress makes me feel so lucky,” Erich said. She’s also very honored, she added, to be working with the likes of Cherie Gil and Gardo Versoza who play the rich parents of EJ Falcon who is her leading man in “Katorse.” Both Erich and EJ are the grand winners of two different ABS-CBN reality-shows.

We asked if she has had her scenes with Cherie Gil shot and Erich laughed as she said “Opo, nilait na niya ako at nasampal na. Tunay na sampal talaga but when she asked kung masakit I said di naman masyado masakit, so she said, ‘ganun? sige ulitin natin.’ Ang galing niya talaga, I learned a lot from her, and of course, I am also learning a lot from our director, si Ms. Malou Sevilla. She’s very patient at mabait. Just listening to her, marami ka matututunan…”

Before the taping for “Katorse” started, they were made to watch the original movie that co-starred Dina Bonnevie with Gabby Concepcion among others. “For me, it’s a very good project and I am very grateful that it was given to me. So I’m doing my best, I’d like to show them that they did not make a mistake in choosing me. I go to the set prepared and on time. I read my script and when I am before the cameras already, I forget that I am Erich. I completely transform into Nene, an innocent 14-year-old who falls in love and gets pregnant at 14.”

To prepare herself for her role, Erich said she underwent a workshop together with the other members of the cast. “Kailangan, kasi maraming sensual na eksena ako, may mga kissing scenes…”

Will she fall in love with EJ?

Love team mates usually fall for each other and we teased Erich about this possibility with her leading man EJ Falcon. “No, I’ll never let that happen, hindi puwede,” she said with conviction. “Hindi mangyayari ‘yan, ayokong ma-link kahit kanino. Saka na ‘yan. I’m very focused with my work and my studies, I don’t want any distractions.”

Erich is on her sophomore year in Mass Communication at the Trinity University of Asia. She’s a regular student. “I’d like to finish school. To me, education is very important. That was my mom’s condition when I joined showbiz, that I finish college no matter what. Kasi, as we all know, a showbiz career is only temporary, you can’t be in showbiz forever so education is super important to me.”

Erich is going 20 (on Sept. 20) but according to her, she has no boyfriend yet. “Hindi ako naghahanap, para sa akin, it will just come. Dadating yan when you don’t expect it. If you ask me kung anong qualification ang hinahanap ko sa isang lalaki, wala. I don’t believe in this. When your heart dictates, at titibok na, yon na…”

She decided to take up Mass Communication because “somehow related na rin sa work ko, and who knows I’d be a journalist too someday!” This wouldn’t be farfetched because Erich used to write poems and short stories when she was still in her early high school years in Davao (she finished high school at ABS-CBN Distance Learning).

Living her dream

“I’m now living my dream,” she remarked with excitement, recalling that ever since her childhood it had always been her dream to become an actress. “I would act in front of the mirror, imitating the stars I see on TV and the movies,” Erich told us. And then she learned about the Star Circle Quest audition that ABS-CBN conducted in Davao City where she lived (she was born in Cebu though).

“I went to the audition, ang haba ng pila! I thought wala akong pag-asa na makasali. But I was able to, at nanalo pa ako as Grand Questor! Hindi ko talaga akalain na mananalo ako.” That was four years ago, and now “I’m living my dream,” Erich said again.

In her four years with ABS-CBN, Erich has done supporting roles in some teleseryes like “Sana Maulit Muli” and “Pieta.” A simple but very pretty and charming Filipina lass, Erich has also been seen in other Kapamilya shows such as “Abt Ur Luv,” “Your Song,” “Ligaw na Bulaklak, “Panday,” “Kung Fu Kids,” and “Mga Anghel na Walang Langit.”

As Jewels endorser

Aside from good breaks on TV and the movies, Erich is also the endorser of Jewels. This is her first clothing endorsement that has given her her first billboard in the metropolis. “I’m thankful for all the blessings I’m getting now and most especially to my Jewels family who remains supportive of my career since I started,” Erich said.

An addition to the Jewels family is another Kapamilya leading man, Jason Abalos who started out as one of the Top 5 in the Circle Quest. Then he was given the big break as Angelica Panganiban’s leading man in “Vietnam Rose.” Like any newcomer, Jason’s first TV exposure was a struggle, but his work attitude left a good impression.

He has made movie and TV appearances but it was his first indie movie entitled “Endo” which gave Jason the biggest achievement in showbiz. His performance in the movie earned for Jason the Urian Best Actor and Young Critics award.

This young gentleman from Nueva Ecija has indeed gone a long way with the many projects given him. He was Cristine Reyes’ leading man in “Eva Fonda” and Erich Gonzales’ love interest in “Pieta.” After that, he was cast in “Kambal sa Uma” where he is paired with Shaina Magdayao.

Jason’s Jewels apparel family is also happy with all the good breaks that the actor is getting these days. “After two years of having Erich Gonzales as our endorser, we thought of getting a male endorser and the first name that came to our mind was Jason Abalos. We welcome him and we are happy to have him as part of our family,” said the owners of Jewels.

On the other hand, Jason expressed happiness that he has been tapped by Jewels and now he doesn’t have problems with clothing requirements in his regular shootings. Jason shared: “First time na magkroon ako ng billboard. Salamat sa tiwala sa akin ng Jewels.”

Jewels started in Greenhills and Tutuban and after three years, they had their own stores in Tiendesitas and in SM and Robinson malls.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 31 go to former QC Mayor Brigido Simon, Jr., Ms. Aying de Leon, Romulo M. del Rosario, Marietta Guanzon-Helmsgren, Candy Dizon-Morales, Jemelene Go Que, Jennifer H. Anonuevo, Florencio C. David, Nenita Nathan, Tummi Candelaria, Janet Pasco-Esta, Igi Boy Flores, Letty A. del Rosario and ABS-CBN’s Mario Dumaual.