Why Gerald Anderson initially wanted to quit show biz back then
Gerald Anderson. Image: Nice Print Photography
Gerald Anderson confessed that his earlier days in show biz were full of “exhaustion and frustration” — especially with the success of his love team with Kim Chiu — which almost made him want to quit.
Anderson opened up about dealing with the pressure of being in the spotlight in a “Luis Listens” interview on Tuesday, June 3, saying he and Chiu were immediately thrust into the spotlight after their “Pinoy Big Brother” stint.
“I wanted to quit after a while. Kasi paglabas namin ni Kim [sa ‘PBB’ House], ginawa kaming bida agad. Ginawa kaming bida sa isang teleserye. Triny kami sa ‘Your Song’ and kami yung first episode,” he recalled.
“The ratings came up the next day [and mataas siya for a Sunday], and we were also in ‘Crazy for You’ with [Luis Manzano and Toni Gonzaga], and then ginawa kaming bida sa ‘Sana Maulit Muli.’”
(I wanted to quit after a while. When Kim and I left the “PBB” House, we were made to be the lead stars of a teleserye right away. We were in the first episode of “Your Song.” The ratings came up the next day and it was high for a Sunday. We were also in “Crazy for You” with Luis Manzano and Toni Gonzaga, and we were the leads of “Sana Maulit Muli.”)
Sharing a glimpse of his filming schedules, Anderson said there were moments when he would break down due to “exhaustion and frustration.”
“For MWF, we were filming ‘Sana Maulit Muli.’ On TTHS, we had our first film, ‘First Day High,’ and then Sunday was ‘ASAP.’ ‘Yung dressing room, sa dulo n’un may opisina and may empty space, umiiyak ako d’un,” he said. “Because of exhaustion and frustration kasi hindi ka naman magaling agad. I would just see the frustration [and] pressure of taping, and magbebreak down ako.”
(For Monday-Wednesday-Friday, we were filming “Sana Maulit Muli,” on Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday, we had our first film “First Day High,” and on Sunday, we had “ASAP.” There was an office and empty space within the area of the dressing room, and I would break down over there due to exhaustion and frustration. You’re not good at what you do right away. I would just see the frustration [and] pressure of taping, and I would break down.)
Anderson clarified that he is nonetheless grateful for his experiences, noting his onscreen partnership with Chiu gave him a head start in show biz.
Touching on the upcoming culmination of the latest “Pinoy Big Brother” season, he advised this year’s batch of housemates to love their jobs and treat the people around them with respect.
“Enjoy it. Paglabas niyo, I’m sure may work kayo. Mahalin niyo ‘yung trabaho niyo. Mahalin niyo ‘yung staff kasi it takes a team to make the dream work (I’m sure you have work once you leave the [PBB] house. Love your job. Love the staff because it takes a team to make the dream work). Everything has to come together,” he said.
Gerald Anderson and Kim Chiu initially felt ill at ease on set.
The actor also reiterated that it’s okay for aspiring actors to start in a love team while reminding them not to forget their roots.
“Love team, that’s where you will start talaga. Never forget that. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Protect it. Respect it, but always remember na may hangganan ‘yun (that it has a limit) and there’s always more. I’m not saying na mababa ‘yun (it’s something low). There are different things you can offer to the audience,” he said.
Anderson is set to be the lead star of the upcoming drama “Sins of the Father,” which also stars John Arcilla, Shaina Magdayao, Jessy Mendiola, Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin. /ra
