Not a few have been asking me for the longest time, bakit si Jerome Ponce ang most favorite ko at, um, Ultimate Crush as I put it, among my favorite young stars of this generation. I always answer, "hindi ko rin alam". And that's the truth.
As a Dakilang Fan through all these years, masasabi kong wala talagang eksaktong sagot bakit ka nagiging fan ng isang tao o artista. Hindi lang kasi sa kung magaling ba siyang kumanta, sumayaw o ano pa mang talento na meron siya. I always say, being a fan equates to being in love - kasi nagbubuhos ka ng hindi birong panahon at emosyon sa idol mo. 'Yung mas nauuna na minsan sa utak mo ang welfare niya kesa sa pansarili mo. Minsan, pag minalas ka, unrequited pa 'yan. But that's how a fan life goes. But let's talk more about it sa mga susunod kong mga entries.
For now, as a closing to my Jerome Ponce special here on my blog, na one week delayed na, sorry I've been busy, let me share to you the Jerome I know, kaya naman ako'y naging isang "Dakilang Fan" niya.
1. Handsome and charming
He's got those dreamy, Chinito eyes, disarming smile, cheeks na ang sarap kurutin, napakatangos na ilong... Gwapo siyang talaga. Kaya naman unang pasok pa lang niya sa "Be Careful With My Heart", marami na ang kinilig at naging fans niya. I'm one of them. And until now, pag nakikita ko siya, may moments na natu-tulaley ako pag kasama o kausap ko siya. Gwapo talaga e, promise!
He may not be the best, but he's one of the better ones sa batch at generation niya. From pa-cute, light-light lang sa BCWMH, he successfully transitioned into more matured na pagganap in "Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita". But he was most praised by the viewers sa kanyang performance bilang gay grandson ng isang siga ng Tondo sa MMK. I personally see how he gets into his characters - he studies his lines, he asks questions, he listens senior actors, writers and directors... He continuously improves and learns his craft, at sa bawat bagong proyekto niya ay may pinapakita siyang bago sa kanyang mga followers.
3. Humble beginnings
Isa sa mga hindi nagbabago sa kanya is yung recognition and pagtanaw niya sa humble beginnings niya. That he was your regular teenage boy in school. How he tried several times sa PBB, but didn't make it. How he was discovered. How he won his "Be Careful With My Heart" role. It wasn't an easy journey. Sa mga panahong reality shows ang entry point ng mga aspiring celebrities sa showbiz, he made it through via different path. At napatunayan niya ang worth niya. Until now, everytime we'd talk, nakikwento niya that he still hangs out with his high school friends and non-showbiz barkada, he keeps in touch with them... Fame hasn't changed him.
4. Young achiever
I'm more than proud because he has been nominated and has already won awards at this point, including Candy Magazine's Male Rising Star in 2014, and German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardee at 62nd Famas Awards. And I'm looking forward to that time when he starts winning acting awards for his TV and movie roles - I know he will, given the right project, at the right time. Nakakatuwa din that Jerome was chosen and trusted to endorse three major products: Coca-Cola, Boardwalk and Greenwich. His face is almost everywhere: sa mga stores, catalogues, TV commercials, and even billboards. Hindi naman siya pagkakatiwalaan ng mga malalaking kompanya na ito kung hindi siya nakitaan ng hatak, sa mga panahon ngayong napakarami ring artistang ka-edaran niya.
5. Family guy
He has been vocal that he comes from a broken family, and has lived most of his life independently, but that didn't prevent him from being a good son, good brother and good provider. Nakaka-proud kasi natulungan niyang bigyan ng magandang buhay ang pamilya niya, and he really makes time for his siblings and cousins. Minsan magki-kwento siya na nakipag-bonding siya sa mga pinsan niya, or nasa bahay niya yung bunso niya at younger sister niya kapag sem break o mahabang bakasyon.
6. Flawed but straightforward
He's misunderstood. As I've posted before, napagdaanan niya 'yung isyu ng pagiging mayabang, may "attitude" sa work. But he's not. I'd describe him as someone straightforward - he says what he knows and he feels, no holds barred. Ilang beses na rin kaming nag-debate, nag-away at nagtampuhan because sometimes, his words get into me. But he knows how to say "I'm sorry" once he realizes na nasaktan ka niya. Ayaw niya kasi nang ma-drama - at understandable naman given 'yung pinagdaanan niya growing up. He'd rather enjoy what life has to offer to him.
7. Brave
Another trait that I appreciate and proud of Jerome is yung pagiging matapang niya. Hinarap niya ang imbitasyon ng PBB, even if it may go against him and may lose someone and/or something in the process. Hinarap niya ang mga isyu sa kanya about his attitude at work (sa Aquino and Abunda Tonight). Matapang niyang tinanggap ang pagganap ng bakla sa MMK. He bravely answers questions thrown at him. He is brave na harapin ang mistakes niya. He is brave to fight for what he believes in. He is brave to say what he feels. Though minsan, we think and feel na he should slow down a bit. But it's really in him.
8. Loverboy
Isa ako sa magsasabing hindi niya naman "tinatago" ang girlfriend niya when he is in a relationship. Jerome is just being "private" about it. He is protective of his relationship. Pero nakita ko ng ilang beses kung paano siya sa girls... Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya, "swerte ng magiging girlfriend mo". He's really sweet, maalaga... Kahit busy, he goes out of his way to be with his girl. Grabe siyang magmahal. kaya kapag nasaktan din, grabe. Ako 'yung nadudurog when I see him sad and heartbroken.
9. Great Friend
Without going through details, Jerome is that guy na, when he has every reasons to turn his back on me, he chose to stay. Hindi man siya masalita, but in random moments, he would make you feel his pagpapahalaga. I remember him sending me a message thanking me for everything before he entered PBB. Tuwing I visit him sa tapings or mall shows, di niya ako pinababayaan, and would make sure na makakauwi ako ng maayos o makakakain. Sometimes, he would just open up to me. Anything, and everything. At nung may pinagdaanan ako earlier this year, he really made me feel that he was there. Kahit through text. Kahit may sarili siyang pinagdaraanan. Minsan, up to now, may mga hindi ako maintidihan sa kanya. Lalaki e, bata pa rin. But everytime he'd say, "be strong, Sajorda", or I will remember all our moments as friends, I realize I am blessed to have him around.
10. Mabuting tao
Hindi lang joke-joke ito (sa "Aquino and Abunda Tonight" nag-umpisa), but what I have put in here won't do justice to Jerome's pagiging "mabuting tao". Once you know and understand him... He truly is. And I'm more than grateful na isa ako sa nakakita at pinakitaan niya no'n. And I'll be, sabi nga ni Edwin McCain sa kanta niya, just here, not just to be his crying shoulder, but to be "the greatest fan of your life" niya.
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