Newcomer Gil Cuerva Feels So Blessed To Play The Lead Role In His First Soap, 'My Love From The Star', Opposite Jennylyn Mercado

GIL CUERVA feels so lucky to be playing a lead role right away in his first project, “My Love from the Star”, that will replace “Destined to Be Yours” on May 29. His full name is Guillermo, the second of three kids. Nearly 6 feet tall, Gil finished high school at the Ateneo and was taking up Broadcast Communication at La Salle when he started modeling at 18. Now 21, he was in Hong Kong for a modeling job when he got an email from his management company, Cornerstone, asking him to take the audition in GMA-7’s “My Love from the Star” and so he flew back to Manila and took it.

“Ang dami naming nag-audition,” he says. “I didn’t think I’d make it. I just went for the experience kasi yung mga kasabay ko, may mga nagawa ng soap and movies. Tapos, ang first choice daw was si Alden Richards, so nagulat ako when I learned na ako pala yung sinuwerte.”

What does he think is the reason why he was chosen? “May pagka-Koreanovela actor daw ang dating ko. And they say maganda ang chemistry naming dalawa ni Jennylyn Mercado.”

Don’t people say he looks like Borgy Manotoc, especially with his long hair? “Marami nang nagsabi. So I now really have to prove that I have my own identity.”

Is he ready for the hard work and intrigues of showbiz? “Oo naman. Hindi naman ako papasok dito

kundi ako handa. I’m lucky to be introduced in such a good project and with Jennylyn Mercado as my leading lady. I feel so blessed right now.

What’s the feedback on him so far? “Mostly, positive naman, but may negative din, some below the belt, but I don’t let them bother me. Yun daw original character sa Koreanovela on which our show is based, hindi long hair gaya ko, may bangs daw. Sana lang, panoorin muna nila yung version namin before they judge me. Three years na itong hair and I think it kinda makes me unique as a guy with long hair.”

So is he enjoying acting? “So far, yes. Although yung first time kaming nag-tape, na-take seven ako. Bale yun yung first meeting namin ni Jennylyn. I’m an alien who landed on earth 300 years ago and I have superpowers.”

Isn’t Jen older than him by nine years? “Yes, but hindi naman halata. Also, Matteo is an alien so hindi siya tumatanda. I’m lucky kasi established na si Jen but she has no airs, no star complex at all. She made me feel comfortable right away. She’s very prim, very polite, saying po and opo, and we’re not used to that in our family. But sobrang kaba ko when we did our kissing scene. Ang daming takes, paulit-ulit. Sabi sa’kin ni Direk Joyce Bernal, wag akong magpa-pressure. Just enjoy it.”

Is it possible for him to fall for Jen? “Everyone knows she’s with Dennis (Trillo). As for me, I’m in a relationship right now with a non-showbiz girl.”