Erich Gonzales’s role as a teenage mom in Katorse became a hot topic as previews of the series was presented on Monday, May 18. ABS-CBN management seemed to be happy with her dramatic performance opposite Ejay Falcon and Xian Lim that the series is now slated to be part of the primetime block instead of an installment of Your Song as was originally planned. “From what I’ve heard po, hindi na siya part ng Your Song, teleserye na siya. I think gagawin siyang pang-hapon ata. I am not sure about that. But still, ‘di ba, iba yung feeling na araw-araw siyang mapapanood ng viewers. Kaya naman mas lalo kaming na-inspire na gawin yung best namin at pinagpre-pray namin na maging successful yung show,” says the young star in an interview with ABS-CBN.com.
With only a few weeks to go before the series airs, Erich said that she feels pressured and excited to see how the audience will react as she transitions into a more mature role where she is required to do kissing scenes and love scenes with her leading men. “Well, yes [na-shoot na yung love scene namin ni Ejay]. Sobrang nakakakaba nung una, yung mga kissing scene, mga love scene, ganyan. Kami ni Ejay nag-usap naman kami, sabi namin, ‘Paano ba ito? Paano mag-kiss?’ Sabi niya, ‘Basta tignan na lang natin.’ ‘So ano ito go with the flow?’ Si Direk naman sinasabihan talaga kami kung paano ang dapat gawin. Tapos before the taping itself, nag-workshop kami and sobrang nakatulong yun sa amin. Like yung mga hiya-hiya or inhibitions nawala na po yun. And we trust each other naman, kaming tatlo, na parang suportahan tayo dito,” she relates.
Erich further shared that she couldn’t believe that she was able to deliver that scene knowing that it she doesn’t really have experience with guys to begin with. “First time kong gumawa ng love scene. Even in our workshops sinabi ko hindi ako marunong mag-kiss, nakakahiya, kasi I’ve never had a boyfriend. So hindi ko alam talaga. But yun, tinulungan naman nila ako and naitawid naman daw. Technically, first kiss ko [si Ejay], parang gano’n. Kasi may mga smack na ako before [with my other leading men] pero no, this one is different talaga. Sobra. Yes, iba ‘tong ganitong kiss. Basta po one thing is for sure, to the next level po talaga ito,” she added with a laugh.
She knew from the very start what the role required and her parents have consented as well. “Yes, I asked them [the production people, what it would involve] and they offer me all the details about it. Ayaw ko rin naman na ma-on the spot na ‘Ay bakit may kissing scene? Hindi ko alam ‘yan.’ Ayoko i-accept yung project na hindi buo yung heart ko. In-explain naman nila sa akin at nagustuhan ko naman po. As for my family, sabi naman nila, ‘If you really want to do it, we’ll support you.’ And sabi ko, ‘Yes, ito talaga yung gusto kong gawin.’ Hindi naman forever mag-stay ka na pa-tweetums, siyempre dadating yung point na next level naman. Mas maganda yung versatile ka, na handa ka to do any roles. In-assure naman nila ako na nandiyan lang sila lagi for me,” she explained.
The 19-year-old actress also reveals that she is willing to do other daring projects as long as it is within her limitations. “Basta ako ayokong tumanggi sa projects. Sino ba naman ako para tumanggi? But not naman to the point na papayag ako kapag sinabing ‘Sige maghubad ka’, may limitations din naman ako. Like yun nga, hindi maghuhubad. And I don’t think gagawin din nila yun kasi sa TV prinoprotektahan din naman yung mga manonood. Mag-pose ng naka-bikini for a sexy magazine? I don’t know, siguro po. I am open naman to anything. So let’s see,” Erich beamed.
