After not doing a major soap opera for quite some time, Aljur Abrenica is back on the prime time scene via Once Again where he shares stellar billing with Janine Gutierrez. It’s really inconceivable considering that he had a tiff with GMA two years ago when he wanted his contract with the network terminated.
“Well, it’s all water under the bridge now,” he says. “I’m happy to headline a huge soap like this one after two years. Of course, I’m grateful to the management for giving me the project. It’s exciting because I have a new leading lady in the person of Janine. The story line is about reincarnation which I think is interesting so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the viewing public will support it!”
Some think that the title of his new soap is somehow reflective of his present state with his mother studio.
“You mean once again, as in like a second chance? Well, I see it more of a second coming actually. When you say second chance, it’s as if you asked for it. But with second coming, it’s like nothing happened, right?”
The handsome Kapuso believes that the issue between him and GMA before was an enlightening learning experience.
“That’s true! I don’t see it as something negative. It was a normal misunderstanding between the network and its artist. Just like a child and a parent. It happens.
“What’s important is I was able to make my point. I aired my side and it was good GMA understood where I was coming from. That for me is vital. Just like in a family, a dialogue is needed to settle disputes. This is what happened between me and GMA.”
Asked what valuable lessons he learned from the experience, Aljur avers, “Oh, because of that, I was able to know myself better, what I want and otherwise. Now I know what to do especially when it comes to handling my career. I know in my heart that I want to stay long in the industry and accomplish more in the coming days. I want to have a valuable contribution to the industry through the continuous honing of my craft. It’s fulfilling on my part to entertain the public and share with them the talents that I’ve got!”
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It’s no issue for Derrick Monasterio if this early, some quarters also get excited seeing his hunky side apart from his matinee idol image. The 21-year-old star has no qualms doing topless scenes in his presently airing afternoon soap titled Hanggang Makita Kang Muli opposite Bea Binene.
“Honestly, I see it as a bonus if some people regard me as sexy. It just shows that at this stage, I can be flexible in my image. I can be that cutesy yet, sexy on screen. I guess that will lead to versatility, right? So it’s just fine with me.”
He recently appeared in a music video along with Sara Polverini and fans expected he will go a bit sexy in there but they were disappointed because he didn’t.
“Well, that’s what I’m saying. There is variety in my screen appearances. It’s not all the time I’ll be seen topless.”
Meanwhile, the appealing lad is proud of his new screen pairing with Bea in Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.
“We get along very well. In fact, we support each other when it comes to highly dramatic scenes. We’re happy that the program is getting good ratings and feedbacks as well from the viewing public,” ends Derrick.