BENJAMIN ALVES is now GMA Network’s ambassador for education after he was given the GMA Network Excellence Award (GNEA). Part of his duties is going to schools to encourage students to make good in their pursuit of higher education. This is not surprising since Benjamin is a summa cum laude honor graduate in his college studies in Guam University.
“It’s really an honor na akong napili nilang ambassador kasi, before me, ang sinundan ko is Kuya Dingdong Dantes, na college graduate din,” he says. “Saludo ako kay Kuya Dingdong kasi when we sit on the panel interview sa universities and colleges na pinupuntahan namin, you can see from his answers that he is really highly educated and knowledgeable.”
Since he’s a college graduate, it’s not surprising he chose someone who has also finished a college course, Julie Anne San Jose, who graduated from Angelicum College. He’s really happy now that they’re taping together almost everyday for this afternoon soap, “Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa”. “Yes, it’s very inspiring and I personally look forward to seeing her everyday at work. Mas excited ako kapag alam kong magiging magkasama kami sa mga eksena. Mas ganado ka siempre at mas madaling gawin ang scene when we’re together.”
Julie Anne has appeared in the soap in sexy swimsuits. Would he allow her to do a sexy pictorial for a men’s magazine? “I admit na seloso ako but when it comes to that, it’s not for me to decide. But personally, I think she won’t agree to pose for a men’s mag. Unang-una, conservative ang family nila and alam kong may takot siya sa parents niya. Kami nga, bawal mag-love scene sa show namin, so I don’t think she’d do a sexy pictorial.”
In "Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa", Benjamin as Ephraim nearly died after he was beaten up in a mixed martial arts fight. He was taken unconscious to the hospital and, in a dream, he goes to this limbo place where he meets his dead sister, Glenda. Julie Anne as Santina and LJ Reyes as Angeli meet at the hospital and Santina fights back ferociously when Angeli tries to oppress her again. This leads to an exciting catfight that viewers love.