Jerome Ponce doesn’t mind the fact that he’s becoming a sought-after actor in horror movies. He knows that people think he’s getting typecast to this genre and he doesn’t blame them.
His first movie was Haunted Mansion in 2015 with Janella Salvador and it was an entry in that year’s edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival. His second big-screen exposure was in Ghost Bride, top-billed by Kim Chiu, shown in 2017. This year, he’s also part of the cast of OTLUM, which is an official entry to the MMFF, which is the other horror flick in the roster.
“I don’t know why I’ve become a staple in contemporary horror flicks. Honestly, it’s just fine with me to be cast in this type of film because let’s face it, it makes good at the box-office. Especially on Christmastime, people want to get scared so you cannot underestimate the drawing power of horror offerings. They are always a surefire hit,” he says.
According to the competent young actor, he feels at ease with the genre.
“I enjoy doing horror projects. In reality, I’m also an avid viewer of horror movies that’s why perhaps it suits me. What’s important is the project performs well at the tills and the viewers’ get their money’s worth, right? As I’ve pointed out earlier, majority of movie buffs want to get scared that’s why horror films are here to stay.
“Just consider the annual MMFF. Every year, there’s a horror entry. It’s already a staple thing, apart from comedy and drama. Adults and young viewers alike patronize the genre, the reason why producers always come up with scary offerings no matter what!”
Jerome is aware that many consider OTLUM as a festival dark horse considering that it’s not really a star-studded project and it gets pitted with another horror entry, Anne Curtis’ Aurora. In the film, he is with Buboy Villar, Michelle Vito, Danzel Fernandez, Vitto Marquez and Ricci Rivero.
“I’m positive that the public will support us. It’s good if the people will also patronize Aurora. As for OTLUM, we’re proud of the hard work each and every cast member exerted in the movie. I hope for the success of the 2018 MMFF in general so that everybody will be happy,” he ends.
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According to Toni Gonzaga and Sam Milby, there’s no awkwardness between them as they got paired anew in the currently showing Mary, Marry Me, an official entry to the still ongoing 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival. It can be remembered that they starred opposite each other in the silver screen offerings You Are the One, You Got Me and My Big Love.
“Actually, we’ve changed a lot since we became a love team in those movies more than a decade ago. Sam, for instance, has really matured as an actor. It’s a better version of him. He became more professional as an actor. I really wish this was the Sam I worked with years ago. Everything’s so smooth-sailing,” states Toni.
It’s public knowledge that during their love team days, the two had a “mutual understanding.” Many thought they would feel uneasy when they started working for their MMFF entry.
“No, there’s nothing like that,” explains Sam. “Even during the look test, we were so natural. I guess we’ve truly matured as individuals.”
The handsome star notes the positive changes in his leading lady at present.
“I’ve witnessed how much Toni has grown, both in the personal and career aspect. Yes, I can say we’re more professional now. Our working relationship is clearer. It’s so nice to see how she is as a sister to Alex (Gonzaga), as a mom to Seve and as a wife to Direk Paul (Soriano). It’s so nice to see where she is now—how happy she is,” avers Sam.