Gerald Anderson on dealing with bashers: 'May feelings din kami, tao pa rin kami'

After his movie On the Job received a standing ovation at the Director’s Fortnight at this year’s Cannes International Film Festival in France last May, Gerald Anderson admitted it was one unforgettable experience for him. “Sobrang ganda ng experience para sa aming lahat lalo na para sa akin kasi never kong naisip na makakarating ako sa ganung lugar dahil sa acting at dahil sa movie. Sobrang blessed ako na part ako ng OTJ. Ang dami kong natutunan sa Cannes bilang isang actor. Sobrang suwerte ko lang talaga at nakarating ako dun,” he said during the On The Job blogger’s conference held last August 13 inside the ABS-CBN compound.

During the film festival which he attended with co-actors Piolo Pascual, Joel Torre, and Rayver Cruz, Gerald admitted that he considered the possibility of trying his luck in the international scene. “Siyempre di ba, unang una dahil nakarating ako sa ganun, hindi malayo kasi nandun kami. Kahit Pinoy kami, kahit artista ako dito sa Pilipinas, ang liit lang ng market natin, nakarating kami dun. So hindi malabo. It’s always a dream to widen our audience,” he said.

Gerald said he enjoyed working with the cast and had no problems when it came to billing because he has always admired the work of Piolo Pascual. “Hindi siyempre. Idol ko yun, si Piolo Pascual yun and wala kaming masyadong eksenang magkasama pero every scene na kasama ko siya sobrang humbled ako at surreal yung moment para sa akin, hindi mo maiisip na yung idol mo makakasama mo kahit sobrang maiksi lang yung eksena, sobrang suwerte ko na nakasama ko siya,” he added.

In the movie, Gerald plays the role of Daniel, an inmate who is temporarily released from prison in order to be contracted by corrupt politicians as a hit man. In real life, Gerald said he is strong and determined like his character.  “You have to be, kailangan. You have to be sa negosyong ito. Ang showbiz hindi siya para sa lahat. You have to be strong para sayo, para sa pamilya mo. I’m just always staying humble kasi yun yung pinaka-sikreto dun eh. Just stay humble dahil ang daming puwedeng magbago pero at the end of the day. Kung sino ka nung nag-start ka kailangan ganun ka pa rin. Yun ang pinkaa-importante,” he said.

When it comes to his much talked about relationship with Maja Salvador, Gerald said they have gotten to the point where they don’t want to be affected by their bashers and critics anymore. “Okay naman kami. Lahat ng artista may bashers eh, hindi mawawala yun kahit sino ka man. Siyempre umaabot din sa point na parang sumosobra din, hindi porke’t dahil artista kami parang wala lang sa amin pag may nag-ba-bash. May feelings din kami, tao pa rin kami. Umabot rin sa isang point na ganun,” he explained.

Although he and Maja both have busy work schedules, Gerald said that they still find some quality time for each other. But the On The Job actor declined to give any details on what they do on dates. “Yan ay isang malaking….secret! (laughs). Siyempre sa amin na po yun. Yung status namin sa relationship naming open sa lahat but yung relationship mismo is not open, sa amin na yun,” he said.

Watch Gerald Anderson along with Piolo Pascual, Joel Torre, Empress, Joey Marquez, Angel Aquino, Rayver Cruz and Shaina Magdayao in On The Job starting August 28 in theaters nationwide. 

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