Will Gerald pass the acid test?
Jerry Donato ( PhilStar ) 12.29.08
Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu share the name Alex in Star Cinema’s I Have Fallen For You. Before the credits roll, they do fall for each other. However, on the upcoming ABS-CBN’s primetime series Tayong Dalawa, Gerald and Jake Cuenca are namesakes (David Garcia). Kim, for her part, is the apple of the eye of the two Philippine Military Academy (PMA) cadets. The unlikely love story, plus a series of family revelations will take off from there.

“It’s my dream role,” shares Gerald of the David who is fatherless and struggles in life. Jake is the other well-off David. “When I was a kid, I dreamed of becoming a military man. David Garcia is the closest experience I could get to it.”

Asked what stopped him from entering PMA in Baguio, Gerald replies, “Show business came along. But I never regret that I was sidetracked to it. I’m actually enjoying every bit of it.”

The Tayong Dalawa character, which required Gerald to have an immersion with Baseco folks, is a far cry from his emo Keno of Your Song Presents: My Only Hope. He has to put aside Keno’s carefree ways and replace it with David’s serious mien and calculated outlook in life.

“I’m just happy to be given the opportunity to do it on the small screen,” says Gerald. “I’m not comfortable with my role (as compared to Keno). It has its own challenges. One time I had to be in my character from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with no bathroom breaks. We (the actors) had to respect the place. It’s the cadets’ sacred ground. We were expected to imbibe and to learn what makes a PMA cadet. We weren’t there just for the shoot.”

That’s how serious Gerald is with his craft now. He’d better because he will be working with the best in the industry. Gerald has to make a dent in acting or else he will be pale in comparison with his co-stars in scene after scene.

Cherry Pie Picache, Gina Pareño and Mylene Dizon are international film festival best actresses. Helen Gamboa and Jiro Manio have a Gawad Urian trophy. Alessandra de Rossi has a FAMAS statuette. Baron Geisler and Coco Martin are young guns in the indie world while Miguel Faustman is a veteran stage actor. Anita Linda is the most veteran of all — be it on TV and in the movies.

On top of that, Gerald will battle it out with Jake in the acting department.

“Before the project started, Jake and I agreed that we will help each other. If this scene is Jake’s, it has to be his. If the next is mine, it has to be my scene,” says Gerald. “I’m happy to work with him. I’m happy for his comeback on Tayong Dalawa. We are like real brothers on the set.”

But the tension between Gerald and Jake will remain on camera as their characters try to win Kim’s heart in the story.

What’s the real score between Gerald and Kim?

“It’s just a mutual understanding,” says Gerald of their eight-month-old budding relationship. It is reminiscent of Julia Roberts’ affair with her pal in My Best Friend’s Wedding. “It’s a friendship where we have exclusively dated. I will tell you when we are finally boyfriend and girlfriend.”

Gerald also adds that he is flattered whenever Kim gets jealous because his name is romantically linked to a celebrity. It means Kim feels something for him.

“It’s a possibility,” says Gerald on Kim falling in love with another guy. “It might happen because we don’t have a commitment. Magulo talaga. She doesn’t want (to have a serious relationship yet). But I’m ready.”

As the title of the soap suggests, Gerald is happy that they spend time together because of their work and he is thrilled that “I learn more about her.”