Finding maturity and sense of purpose

CEBU, Philippines - Handsome newcomer Alden Richards and beefed-up Starstruck alum Paulo Avelino share lead male billing in GMA 7’s first fantasy-infused series in its weekdays siesta line-up. While the latter enjoys a four-year age advantage and acting seniority to the showbiz upstart, it seems both share a maturity beyond their youth—one the result of his mother’s passing three years ago, the other brought about by his sudden thrust into fatherhood.

Let’s get to know 18-year-old Alden first.

If you remember the tall boy in the growth supplement Cherifer TV ads, that was him. Alden appeared in a number of commercials until he auditioned for the fifth season of the Kapuso star search “Starstruck,” where Sarah Labhati and Steven Silva were the eventual winners. He made it to the top 60, but was cut in the top 30 call-back. He also auditioned for ABS-CBN’s reality program “Pinoy Big Brother Teen Clash of 2010,” and again, he failed to land a spot.

“I was very disappointed that time. I was just advised by my manager and GMA Artist Center to just relax, kasi baka may big break,” Alden tells The Freeman.

His much-awaited turn finally came this year when he auditioned for “Alakdana”, starred in by teen actress Louise delos Reyes. Four other “Tween Hearts” actors also came in to screen-test for the part, but Alden became the unanimous choice of the show’s director Mac Alejandre for the role of Joma, the crippled bestfriend of Louise’s Adana. Joma has a hidden admiration for the scorpion-tailed Adana, but because of his physical disability, he grows up with no self-confidence and becomes quickly jealous when he sees the apple of his eye with other men.

After bagging the role, he signed a five-year contract with GMA-7. Alden surmises it must have been his determination during the audition which helped him bag the part. “I gave my best. Sineryoso ko talaga kasi I really wanted to be part of a show that GMA handles. I feel very lucky, blessed and excited na ako yung nakuha. Bihira lang yung mga taong nabibigyan ng lead role as a newbie, that’s why I’m very thankful to the GMA management for giving me this chance,” says the actor, who is Richard Faulkerson, Jr. in real life, with a British-American lineage.

He admits to still getting a feel of the craft. But what he strives for aside from meeting acting expectations is to be always a professional, to forever plant his feet on the ground and to never forget the people who’ve helped him start out— wisdom that his mother left for him to remember before her unfortunate death—due to a bout with pneumonia. He was 15 years old then.

“I’m doing all these things for my mom because she was the one pushing me to join showbiz since I was a kid. Sayang talaga na hindi niya na ito naabutan. My mom is a big part of me. She contributed a lot to my dream of becoming an actor. Sabi niya noon, balang araw sisikat ka din. Very sad kasi malambing yung mom ko. I remember in high school, papasok pa lang ako ng gate namin, sisigaw na yun kung ano daw gusto kong kainin. Nakaka-miss, but that’s life. You have to adjust to several changes and move on,” says Alden. His dad and supportive grandparents fill in the void for him and two of his siblings.

Alden is a sophomore Business Administration student in De La Salle Canlubang and has previously won Ginoong Sta. Rosa in 2009 and Ginoong Laguna in 2010. It was his first choice to be a pilot, but his dad chose his course for him.

PAULO AVELINO

If Alden’s “Alakdana” alter ego is lacking in self-esteem, co-star Paulo’s assigned character is the polar opposite. The 22-year-old Starstruck fourth season finalist is Billy, a well-off lad who is also pining for Adana’s heart.

During Paulo’s press meet-up in Cebu, his interviewers shared the opinion how he was much better-looking in person. His improved physique, which he relates is the result of relentless toil in the gym, might have added to his outward improvement, but someone else quipped his new-found maturity could also be a factor.

July of last year, Paulo’s girlfriend and fellow Starstruck discovery LJ Reyes became first-time parents to their new-born son, whom they christened Ethan Akio Reyes. Having a son has made a changed man out of Paulo, who says he used to be happy-go-lucky and nonchalant with work.

“Things are very different now. Kung dati happy-go-lucky lang, parang wala akong pakialam sa buhay ko dati, ngayon nagkaroon ng patutunguhan. I have a new role now as a father and new things to look forward to. I don’t decide for myself anymore. I take into consideration my family. Hindi na ako selfish,” says Paulo. “This time it’s going to be more different. I’ll be more focused. Wala talaga kasi akong pakialam dati if I have work or not. I didn’t mind if I had no show. Ngayon, gusto ko na ng trabaho hanggang sa makakaya ko.”

Paulo shares little when asked how his relationship with LJ is, only offering that they are okay and that nothing has changed between them. He maintains that marriage is not a priority now, as their main focus is providing the best for their lovechild.

He shares, “A big part of my goals are for my baby. As of now, all I want is to see him everyday. Sa abot ng aking makakaya na pwede kong alagaan, sana maalagaan ko. And I’m focused on my career. Kasi sabi nga ng ibang tao, you can’t love others if you don’t love yourself first. So that’s what I’m doing now. I’m working very hard to hone my skills and whatever else I can hone, like my appearance. Sana balang araw mag-pay off din yung mga hirap ko. Marriage is devoting yourself to another person and a lifetime partnership. Right now, we’re taking things slowly. If it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen.”

Asked in jest if they are open to giving Ethan Akio a sibling, Paulo replied that for now, one is enough. No, he has not been traumatized, he’s just looking at the practical side of things. “It’s very hard to take care of a baby. We can’t just give financial support. You have to be there as a parent, you have to show love, you need to give time. But you’ll never know. If God will give us another one, I will open my arms and accept it.”