With one of the fastest-rising careers in showbiz, DJ said he has learned to become more mature especially when it comes to work “Ngayon kung dati sinasabi ko na busy kami, ngayon mas busy na kami eh. Pero na-e-enjoy ko yung trabaho. Parang mas na-a-appreciate ko siya ngayon. At kung magtrabaho ako ngayon mahal ko na talaga at saka enjoy ako sa mga nakakasama ko sa trabaho, yun yung importante para sa akin. Hindi ako nalulungkot tuwing may trabaho ako, kumbaga na-e-excite ka, masaya ka pa pag may trabaho, yun na yung importante para sa akin,” he shared.
Even though they are considered the hottest teen love team in the Kapamilya network now, DJ said he does not think of himself as a big shot yet. “Siguro sinet na namin ni Kathryn sa sarili namin na example si sir Piolo (Pascual) at sir John Lloyd (Cruz) [at iba pang Star Magic artists], kumbaga inspirasyon namin silang dalawa dahil hindi naman sila sumikat dahil guwapo at magaganda, dahil din magagaling silang mga aktor at aktres. Gagawin namin silang inspirasyon ni Kathryn,” he added.
Even though the movie is about DJ playing the role of a group of “gangsters,” the 19-year-old actor said this does not mean having to be violent or doing criminal things. “Maraming definitions ng gangster, merong gangster ng frat, gangster na yung mga parang pang-mafia, eto nagsimula yung salitang gangster kay Athena (Kathryn’s character). Yun lang siguro dahil yung grupo namin hindi nag-hazing or ganyan. Kami group of friends lang tapos siguro nakita ni Athena na yung aura ko parang walang pakialam sa mundo, tapos kaangasan niya, hindi niya nirerespeto yung babae, ganun. Pero wala namang parang brutal na ginagawa dito,” he explained.
In real life, DJ said he considers himself a gangster only in terms of confidence. “Hindi naman siguro, wala relaks lang tayo (laughs). Siguro yung angas hindi naman siya effort, it comes naturally,” he added.
With all the speculation regarding their reel-to-real life romance, DJ said she considers spending time with Kath as dating already. “As Kathryn and Daniel, pag magkasama kasi kaming dalawa na walang camera, ina-assume ko na date yun (laughs). Date na agad yun. Kumbaga sa trabaho, kunwari nasa shoot kami like nung nasa Bicol kami, parang chini-cherish ko na siya, na parang kaming dalawa lang yung nasa Mayon. Parang bucket list namin ni Kathryn yung mga first time naming magagawa na magkasama kami, so kagaya nung nag-ATV kami paakyat nung bundok, sa akin siya nakasakay siyempre. Kaming lahat nung crew,” he recalled.
Even though they are not allowed to be alone when they go out, DJ said he doesn't mind if they are almost always accompanied by Kathryn's mom. “Ako ok lang gusto ko kasama parati si Tita Min, dahil na-le-less gastos ako (laughs). Hindi kasi si Tita Min siya yung guide naming dalawa ni Kathryn so hindi siya negative para sa akin at saka parang nanay ko na talaga si Tita Min. Inaalagaan niya kami ni Kathryn,” he shared.
Even after numerous projects with Kath, DJ said nothing has changed when it comes to his feelings for the teen actress. “After four movies na magkasama kami ni Kathryn, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang pagtingin ko. Yun lang po,” he admitted.