JERIC GONZALES AND HIS KOREAN COUNTERPART IN 'START UP PH'
JERIC GONZALES feels so fortunate to be part of the major cast of “Start Up PH”, the local adaptation of the hit Koreanovela.
“Up to now, I feel overwhelmed na napasama ako sa ganitong kalaking show na ginastusan talaga ng GMA,” he says.
“And all of us involved in the show would like to thank the viewing public who’s been supporting us since the show started last Monday.
Talagang laging mataas ang ratings gabi-gabi at puro positive ang feedback na nakukuha namin sa internet, all saying they like the show and find it very entertaining.”
Jeric won in the Protege Artista Search exactly ten years ago and he says “Start Up PH” is his biggest project so far.
“For the first time, nakasama ko si Alden Richards na kababayan ko sa Laguna,” he adds.
“At ngayon, hindi lang siya ang nakasama ko kundi pati si Bea Alonzo pa. So dream come true talaga for me na makatrabaho ko sila, along with Yasmien Kurdi and Tita Gina Alajar.”
He also likes his role as Davidson Navarro or Dave, whose name in the original is Nam Do San.
“Napanood ko ang Korean version ng ‘Start Up’ and I never thought in my wildest dreams na kapag ginawa ang local adaptation nito, mapapasama pala ako playing an important role.
"Sobrang napakapalad ko talagang napasama ako rito.”
Jeric as David is a math whiz who is idolized by Bea’s character, Danni.
When Bea felt depressed, Gina as her Lola Joy asked Alden as Tristan to pretend to be Dave and write letters to Bea, encouraging her not to lose hope and be more optimistic in life.
Jeric’s parents in the show are Nino Muhlach and Lovely Rivero. They are disappointed with their son because most of his projects are failures and he has not really achieved anything.
When Bea tries to meet him in person, Alden then talks to Jeric and tells him to pretend that he is the one writing all the encouraging letters to Bea all these years.
“It’s very challenging for me to play the role of Nam Do San or Dave kasi marami siyang fans sa original,” says Jeric.
“Nakaka-inspire din yung character niya kasi nagsimula siya sa wala at nagpursigi siya na maging entrepreneur. Si Alden as Tristan ang hiningan niya ng tulong.
"In exchange nga, Alden asked him to pretend na siya yung gumagawa ng mga sulat kay Bea na actually, si Alden mismo ang siyang sumulat.
"In the end, makukuha rin ni Dave ang dream niya, kasama ang good friends niya ritong sina Boy2 Quizon and Royce Cabrera.”
Jeric, Boy2 and Royce form the Three Sons Tech Group and he says that in the process of taping the show, they’ve become really, really good friends.
“Yung friendship na nabuo sa amin, nadala namin on screen at yung makikita ninyong suportahan naming tatlo sa mga eksena, totoong-totoo yun.
"We really had a lot of fun working together sa mga kalokohan namin.
"I can truly say this is one of my most unforgettable shows ever at maraming magagandang memories akong itatago sa puso ko for the rest of my life.”
'START UP PH' is now aired weeknights at 8:50 PM right after "Lolong" on its finale week, and starting next week, after "Maria Clara at Ibarra"