Gerald Anderson admits he and Kim are way past friendship
by Nerisa Almo ( PeP ) 01.20.10
This was the nagging question of the entertainment media during the press conference of Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson's pre-Valentine movie Paano Na Kaya? last night, January 19, at the Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN Compound, Quezon City.

It all started when veteran columnist Aster Amoyo said that she saw the onscreen couple at a shopping center in The Fort, Taguig City, last month. "At siyempre, nang makita n'yo ako, naghiwalay kayo agad," the veteran columnist added.

Kim and Gerald laughed as they recalled the incident. Gerald did not deny they were together, but he explained, "Nagsu-shooting kami, actually. Tapos ang location namin, malapit sa S&R, nag-grocery kami para sa Christmas shopping. Bumili kami ng Christmas tree, Christmas lights, para sa bahay, kasama ko si Kim. Malapit lang po sa location namin 'yon."

"So, what's the real score?" the media asked. "Ayaw na namin ng showbiz na, 'We're just a best of friends, or good friends.' Hindi na namin 'yan tanggap."

The 20-year-old actor agreed that they're also past giving safe answers. He said, "Well, sa akin naman ho, siyempre 2010 na so pagod na rin po ako sa mga safe answers namin. Siyempre, sa tagal na magkasama kami ni Kim, four years na. Masasabi ko siguro, hindi kami nagku-confirm ng kung ano sa amin. Basta, ayaw ko rin sabihin we're really close friends dahil sa akin naman, sa point of view ko, tapos na kami sa friendship. Basta, ang sa amin, ayaw ko pong masaktan si Kim at siguro ayaw niya ring masaktan ako. So, 'yon na 'yon."

The 19-year-old actress, on the other hand, gave an indirect answer. Kim said, "Masaya naman ako kapag nandiyan si Gerald. Parang lagi akong safe kapag nandiyan siya. Lagi niya akong pinapatawa. Parang isa siya sa taong nagpapasaya sa akin ngayon and masaya kami kapag magkasama kami."

When asked again if they are officially in a romantic relationship, Gerald answered: "'Yon nga, walang confirmation pa sa amin. Basta MU, tawag daw sa amin. Mayroon daw kaming MU, doon pa lang kami."

He also noted later on, "Kung MU, oo. Pero kumbaga, hindi ko sinasabing syota ko si Kim, hindi ko sinasabing boyfriend niya ako. Wala pong commitment."

It can be recalled that Kim and Gerald started as a loveteam while they were still inside the Pinoy Big Brother house for its Teen Edition in 2006. After that, they were always paired in their projects, whether on television or in a movie.

Does the success of their showbiz career keep them from telling the real status of their relationship?

"Of course not, kasi almost four years na po kaming magkasama," Gerald replied with confidence.

"EVERY DAY THERE'S SOMETHING NEW." Although they're always together in most of their projects, Gerald said that he still gets excited every time he sees Kim.

"Oo naman, tulad nga ng sinabi ko, every day is a new day for me. So, kapag nakikita ko siya, talagang excited ako. Mas masaya ang araw ko, mas magaan ang trabaho ko," he admitted.

Gerald also mentioned that although they've known each other for four years now, he still discovers new things about Kim.

"Siyempre, there are different days na iba ang ugali ni Kim. Like, one day, sobrang saya. After 12 midnight, baka medyo malungkot na siya or pagod na, so I step in and make sure to make her happy. Iba every time I try to make her happy, iba po ang reaksiyon niya. Every day is a new day for me and her."

"KASAL NA LANG ANG KULANG." While Kim and Gerald were tight-lipped on the real status of their relationship, director Ruel Bayani gave a clearer picture about the two young stars. Direk Ruel is the director of the hit TV series Tayong Dalawa, which featured Kim, Gerald, and Jake Cuenca. He is also the director of Paano Na Kaya?.

"Sa totoo lang po, sobrang close ko sa kanila," said the director. "I'm with them almost every day, lalo na when we were doing Tayong Dalawa. Hindi ako isang taong puwedeng lokohin o isang taong kailangang magpanggap pa sila sa akin. Wala nang puwedeng itago sa akin kasi hindi lang kami magkakatrabaho, magkakaibigan kami, at close kami."

The TV and movie director also added that there's no need for a confirmation from Kim and Gerald.

"Honestly, napaka-useless na i-label pa sila," he stated. "Okay, I understand that you want to know more, but the truth is, there's so much love between them, there's so much support. Gaya ng sinasabi nila, mga bata pa sila pero laging puyat sila. Yun lang may tao sa tabi mo o lagi kang patatawanin o kukulitin ka o dadalhan ka ng pagkain... Kung hindi man sila lovers, e, ano naman? Hindi ba mas importante 'yong relationship at kung anong love ang nakukuha nila sa isa't isa?

"Everyone around them... Gustung-gusto ng pamilya ni Gerald si Kim, gusto ng pamilya ni Kim si Gerald, kahit mga yaya nila. Dyuskupo! Kasal na lang ang kulang! Sa akin ha, sa point of view ko, hindi na kailangan ng confirmation, hindi ko kailangan ng labeling. Ang importante sa akin kasi, sa murang edad nila, they get to enjoy their work and they get to enjoy each other. They get to enjoy love, friendship, company of each other, kumpleto sila doon. 'Yon na rin 'yon para sa akin."