MMK: "Ang Lolo Kong Siga"

In the four years na kakilala at kaibigan ko si Jerome Ponce, isa talaga ang wish ko for him career-wise: ang makapag-“Maalaala Mo Kaya” siya. Iba kasi kapag bumida ka sa MMK. Bukod sa longest running drama anthology ito in Asia (25 years lang naman), sa MMK talaga nakikita ang husay at potensyal ng isang actor o aktres. Ilang beses na rin naman siyang sinubukang i-guest, pero laging conflict sa asked niya. Like sa life story ko mismo, which aired last year, hiniling ko na siya ang gumanap kay “James”. But he had “Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita” then. Deep down, I knew that his first appearance on the show would be so worth it.

True enough. With the right timing, and a beautiful material, Jerome makes his MMK debut tonight on #MMKGrandparentsDay. Nakakatuwa dahil sa episode na ito, he plays Gilbert, isang matalino at mapagpursiging bading who had to hide his sexual preference to his grandfather na kilalang siga ng Tondo. When I learned na ito ang gagawin ni Jerome, I was shocked. Hindi ko in-expect na tatanggapin ni Jerome, knowing him. Don’t get him wrong, siyempre mahirap talaga for a straight guy na gumanap ng ganito. And he has this heartthrob, boy-next-door image. Pero dahil inspiring at maganda ang material, and Jerome wants to do more challenging and matured stuff, he accepted this.

Sa three taping days na dinalaw at sinamahan ko si Jerome, nakita ko yung determination niya to get into his gay character. Admittedly, nahirapan siya nung umpisa. He knew how to do each sequence, kaso masculine pa rin. But with the episode’s director Elfren Vilbar, and his co-star, THE Phillip Salvador no less, who happens to be his ninong in real life, help and guidance, na-pin down na ni Jerome si Gilbert. Even Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina, who was supposed to direct this, helped him with his nuances and movements when she dropped by the set. I would see him in one corner, studying his lines and getting into the vibe of being a gay. Napansin ko ring nag-observe siya ng mga kilos ng mga beki sa set, including me, and the letter sender Gilbert mismo when he was around.

Jerome really challenged and pushed himself to this. And everytime I would see on monitor or on the set his performance, I can’t help but be proud. Nawala si Luke ng “Be Careful With My Heart” or si Ryan ng NKNKK… He is Gilbert. Through this episode, masasabing Jerome is “more than just a pretty face”. He is a young actor with so much potential. At sana, pagkatapos nating mapanood ang MMK bukas, more challenging, more meaty projects will come his way that will truly showcase what he’s got.

Please don’t forget to watch #MMKGrandfathersDay tonight, 8:15 PM, just after the pilot episode of Pinoy Boyband Superstar on ABS-CBN.

Jerome being transformed to Gilbert. 

Seriously studying his lines and getting into his character. 

One of the scenes Jerome did during his
first day of taping. 

Direk Cathy Garcia-Molina helping Jerome with
his movements and nuances,

Direk Elfren Vilbar guiding Jerome through the emotional
dance sequence.

Phillip Salvadr, Jerome's ninong in real life, helped him
get into his gay character. 

Highly emotional sequence taped past midnight.