For nearly two decades, Gerald Anderson has built a career as one of ABS-CBN’s leading men. But in his latest project, Sins of the Father, the actor is not only portraying a character caught in a web of deceit but also stepping behind the camera for the first time as one of the show’s directors, all while helping shed light on a growing crisis of scams in the Philippines.
At the recent press conference, Gerald said the series’ new season aims to mirror the reality of victims of fraud, from online lending schemes to human trafficking and employment scams.
“So many of our fellow Filipinos fall victim to these scams—losing money, jobs, and trust. If in a small way we can help open the eyes of viewers about this, that already means a lot,” he said.
“It’s one of the biggest sicknesses destroying the lives of our countrymen. People who hope to earn a little either invest or gamble again, and then they lose everything. That’s the sad part, it’s one big scam,” echoed director FM Reyes.
Gerald, who has been in the industry for 19 years, admitted he never imagined himself directing. But when producer Julie Anne Benitez and the creative team asked if he wanted to helm a high-stakes “1 vs. 100” fight sequence, he took the challenge head-on.
“I never thought about becoming a director because I know it’s a different craft. But when such a good opportunity was handed to me, I tried my best. My respect for directors went even higher because it’s not an easy job,” he shared.
“You are the captain of the ship. There’s pressure from production, time, locations, and artists. But I enjoyed the experience, and I learned a lot,” continued Gerald.
For three days, he juggled both acting and directing duties. He admitted it was exhausting but said the experience sparked a desire to pursue directing further, and perhaps without acting in future projects.
“What I do have, something I learned from my parents, is being a natural leader. Not for ego, but to lead the team because everyone has their own specialties. I think I have a talent for bringing that together to make something good,” he added.
Reyes praised Gerald’s initiative and dedication, describing him as “very generous” on set.
“If you give him a concept, he will work and contribute more. That kind of attitude makes it easier to work with him,” he said.
The new season of Sins of the Father also welcomes fresh faces, including Barbie Imperial, Binsoy Namoca, Dylan Yturralde, Eric Fructuoso, Joel Saracho, Junjun Quintana, Kolette Madelo, Lei Ang, Manuel Chua, Mel Martinez, Melissa Mendez, Reign Parani, Simon Ibarra, Zeppi Borromeo, and River Joseph.
Despite its complex, high-concept premise, Sins of the Father became the most-watched series on iWantTFC during its first season. With new storylines rooted in real-world fraud cases, its creators hope the series will not only entertain but also spark awareness.
Sins of the Father airs weeknights at 9:30 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and TFC.
