FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo ( PhilStar ) 06.13.09
Did you know that Gerald Anderson has military connections? His father is with the US Navy, his uncle is with the US Army and his grandfather was with the US Air Force. No wonder Gerald feels so at-home in his role as a soldier (with co-star Jake Cuenca) in the ABS-CBN soap Tayong Dalawa.

I wouldn’t have found out if I didn’t read Susan de Guzman’s article in the latest issue of S Magazine and the Q&A conducted by the S mag staff. Thanks to S mag editor-in-chief Wilson Lee Flores (also a columnist of this paper’s Business Life section) who sent me a copy of his magazine with specific reminder for me to read the Gerald Anderson feature.

I knew that Gerald, a Fil-Am, started in showbiz as a virtual alalay and back-up dancer of Joross Gamboa who met Gerald during a show in Gensan (his mother’s hometown where Gerald used to stay). Related Gerald (who turned 20 last March 7), “Nasa high school pa ako noon. Kasa-kasama ko ‘yung mga kaibigan ko. Sinabi sa akin, ‘Uy, magpa-picture ka.’ Actor daw ‘yon, so nagpa-picture ako.”

It was Ethel Ramos who detailed to the S mag staff how Gerald was discovered: “Joross used to be the talent of Jhun Reyes (a movie writer). Jhun saw Gerald na nagpa-picture with Joross who asked Gerald, ‘Gusto mong mag-artista?’ Tapos, sinabihan ni Joross si Jhun, ‘Jhun, tingnan mo ‘yon, puwedeng mag-artista.’ Reluctant pa raw si Jhun kasi alaga na niya si Joross pero pinapunta niya dito (sa Maynila) si Gerald; pumunta naman. Suwerte ni Gerald, may Pinoy Big Brother (PBB). Ang pinaka-suwerte niya, andoon si Kim (Chiu, who emerged the winner)...”

The rest is history. Today, Gerald is one of the hottest young stars and an in-demand endorser, the latest being for Enervon-C which shows him doing stunts in the TV commercial. Hmmmm, a potential action star!

From the S mag story, I also learned that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) cited Gerald and Jake for their “excellent” portrayal as soldiers on Tayong Dalawa and for promoting the AFP’s good image. In ceremonies held last April, led by then AFP Chief of Staff Alexander Yano (now Ambassador to Brunei), gave the show a plaque of appreciation for uplifting the image of the Philippine Army.

“Because of the show,” said Gerald (who would have loved to serve in the US Army if he didn’t join showbiz), “I came to know about the real situation of Filipino soldiers.”

He and Jake were so touched by the soldiers’ plight that they donated their winnings from the ABS-CBN game show Deal or No Deal to the AFP Medical Center.