JERIC GONZALES has reason to rejoice as his career is on a roll. He stars in his first lead role in a movie in “Broken Blooms” and on TV, he’s part of the hit GMA primetime series “Start Up PH”.
“Broken Blooms” will be shown in theaters starting December 24. It has so far won him four acting awards in international film festivals.
He first won best actor in the Harlem International Film Festival in New York, then two awards from India at the Mokkho IFF and the Tagore IFF, and the Montellupo Fiorentino IFF in Italy.
The film itself won the Special Jury Award at the 8th Brasilia IFF in Brazil.
“Dream ko talagang manalo ng award. Now, first time ko manalo ng acting awards and it’s sad na wala ako roon to accept them in person,” he says.
“Ipinadala na lang nila sa akin ang trophies ko. Sana, mapansin din ng local award-giving bodies natin ang ‘Broken Blooms’.”
What’s his role in the movie?
“I play Jeremy, a physical therapy student who got married young and became a father,” he says.
“Then the pandemic came at naging napakahirap ng buhay. I’m jobless so naging masahista ako to earn a living for my family.
"It’s my first time to play a married man. I really gave it all my heart and soul and I’m so glad all our hard work paid off well.
"All the awards serve as an inspiration for me to continue improving my craft as an actor. I’d like to thank our director, Louie Ignacio, who recommended me for the role.
"Also our producers, Benjamin Austria and si Tito Dennis Evangelista, who also produced my last movie, ‘Hustisya’, with Nora Aunor.”
Playing his mom in the film is Jaclyn Jose and his wife is Therese Malvar, both multi-awarded actresses.
“I know how good they are and intimidated ako noong una but I took it as a challenge for me to give my best.
"Tita Jaclyn is so helpful and this is Therese's first mature role na nagkaasawa siya at nagkaanak.
"First time for her to do a love scene so I was very careful. I asked her what should I do to make her comfortable while we’re doing the scene.”
Also in the movie is Royce Cabrera and comedian Boobay as his best friends, with Lou Veloso as Royce’s grandpa who becomes Jeric’s client as a masseur.
What’s his most difficult scene in the movie?
“May nude scene ako in the movie. Mahirap yun but mas mahirap yung breakdown scene ko.
"Kasi my mother got sick with Covid, my wife left me, yung motorcycle ko, ninakaw, so puro frustrations ang dumarating sa buhay ko and I break down.
"Very demanding, but thank God they gave me an acting workshop and with Direk Louie’s assistance, naitawid ko naman.”
He says the awards he won boosted his self confidence and he is now also elated for the good feedback he is getting as Dave in GMA’s “Start Up PH”.
Dave is the genius computer engineer who Bea Alonzo as Dani thinks is her penpal from way back, when it’s actually Alden Richards as Tristan who has been writing to her.
“Wala namang intensiyon si Dave na lokohin si Dani kasi si Alden mismo ang may pakana na magpanggap siya kay Bea as her penpal,” says Jeric.
“I think viewers know Dave has basically a good heart. He is family oriented, he loves his parents, Lovely Rivero and Nino Muhlach, very much.
"And he wants to give them a good life. He also has a very caring relationship with his best friends, sina Boy2 Quizon and Royce Rivera.”
Up to now, he cannot thank GMA-7 enough for making him a part of this great show.
“When I was first informed about it, I was overwhelmed as I know it’s a very big project, but I was also very excited and I welcome the challenge of playing the character of Nam Do San in the original Korean show.
"I would also like to thank Alden Richards for recommending me sa role na ito. For that, I will forever be grateful to him.”
After “Start Up PH”, he has another good project coming up with GMA.
“Ibang Jeric naman po ang mapapanood nyo dyan, pero hindi pa po puedeng sabihin ang details,” he says.
“By next year pa po yan. Meantime, I pray that our moviegoers will support ‘Broken Blooms’ when it is shown n selected theaters on December 14.
"Makaka-identify po sila sa movie as it’s set during the pandemic na pinagdaanan nating lahat.
"I also sang its theme song, 'Hihintayin Kita'. The movie shows that after all the darkness, may pag-asa pa rin at muling magiging maaliwalas ang lahat.”
How about his lovelife? Is it true he has reconciled with beauty queen Rabiya Mateo?
"We're good friends, but right now, we're both very busy so we are more focused on our careers.
"I'm not closing my doors kung ano ang darating, but ang ganda ng momentum ng career ko ngayon, so dito muna ako tututok ng husto and love can wait."