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| alden richards signing new contrat with Kapuso executives |
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| alden as sep in THE GIFT |
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| alden at the presscon for his contract renewal with GMA-7 |
ALDEN RICHARDS was feted in a solo presscon by GMA-7 last Tuesday for the renewal of his contract as a Kapuso actor. He is also given a new title: Asia’s Multi-Media Star. This he earned for being a hit TV and movie actor, a blockbuster recording artist, a successful concert artist and much sought after endorser, and recently winning the Asian Star Prize in the Seoul International Drama Awards. Because of his international award, he was featured in the international magazine, Newsweek, and in various Korean publications and TV shows, plus popular internet portals worldwide.
Alden says that although his box office blockbuster, “Hello Love Goodbye”, was made with ABS-CBN Films, he was never tempted to jump “ober the bakod”. “In 2011, I applied to both ABS-CBN and GMA, but it was GMA who gave me the break in 2012,” he recalls. “Kinuha ako ni Direk Mac Alejandre to be one of the leading men of Louise de los Reyes in ‘Alakdana’. Sinugalan nila ako nang wala akong previous acting experience at all. That started my journey as an actor and GMA has since then given me good projects and even allowed me to do projects with other companies, kaya I will always be a loyal Kapuso.”
Alden feels so blessed with the many good things happening in his career right now. After the monster hit, “Hello Love Goodbye”, he now stars in a new drama series, “The Gift”, where he plays an extraordinary character named Sep, directed by LA Madridejos.
“I really have to thank the Lord for all His blessings that inspire me to do better in all the jobs being assigned to me,” he says. “It’s my faith in Him that helps me keep my sanity and keeps me well grounded. At the end of the day, kapag wala na yung fame at ang mga taong sumisigaw kapag nakikita ka, ang pagmamahal ng Diyos sa iyo, hindi magbabago, so I’m always holding on to Him.”
The trailer of “The Gift” was shown to the press and it’s quite impressive. His name is Joseph or Sep and his parents are Jean Garcia and TJ Trinidad, but TJ was killed by cops who thought that he was drawing a gun when he’s actually getting a rosary from his pocket. Jean later loses the boy Alden in the crowd while they were in Quiapo. A fruit vendor and manghuhula, Elizabeth Oropesa, sees him and takes him home where he is raised by Jo Berry of “Onanay” as her own child.
Alden as Sep grows up as a vendor in Divisoria, a young man with a happy personality. But during a gang war, he was accidentally shot in the head. He loses his eyesight but in return, he is given an unusual gift: he can see a person’s past and also foretell the future.
“It’s a very demanding role,” says Alden, who remains very humble and approachable. “Ngayon lang ako gumanap na bulag and I had an actual immersion program with blind people para malaman ko how they feel and move without the sense of sight. That way, I get to know the character of Sep by heart.”
“The Gift” also stars Mikee Quintos, Martin del Rosario, Christian Vasquez and newcomers Thia Thomalia and Ysabel Ortega. It will start airing on September 16 to replace “Love You Two” that ends on Friday the 13th.
