Kris Bernal learns fans are a star’s priority

CEBU, Philippines - When you have a fierce loyal fan base, you don’t even have to defend yourself --- they’ll do all the fighting for you.

This was a scenario GMA-7 actress Kris Bernal experienced first-hand, making her realize even more the importance of fans and how treating them right should be rule number one in any celebrity’s handbook.

When a male reality artista search contestant she was supposed to perform with grumbled on-cam how her failure to attend rehearsals could compromise his production number and therefore his chances of getting a favorable grade, Kris’ supporters were quick to raise an uproar over Twitter. The backlash forced the aspiring actor to apologize to Kris, for which she readily accepted.

“Sa totoo lang, nakakataba talaga ng puso. Wala naman talaga akong alam sa nangyari, pero dahil nakita ko yung concern sa akin ng mga fans ko, yung napapansin nila kahit simpleng bagay, yung nahu-hurt sila para sa akin, doon ako na-touch,” said Kris during a recent Cebu promo tour with Aljur Abrenica, Max Collins and Benjamin Alves. The foursome appeared before crowds at the Barangay Guadalupe Covered Court, at the University of the Visayas Main Quadrangle and at the SM City Cebu Event Centre.

“Kahit hindi lang yung incident sa Protégé, kahit sinong mang-away sa akin sa Twitter o ibang social network, sila talaga yung nagsasalita para sa akin. Minsan, hindi ko na kailangang ipaliwanag ang sarili ko dahil nandiyan na sila. Kaya ang natutunan ko rin talaga na iba ang fans pag nasaktan sila para sayo. Kaya dapat silang alagaan,” added Kris.

In return, the petite 23-year old tries her utmost to be accessible to these followers, obliging to their simple requests or hanging out with them whenever she has free time.

She said, “Kahit walang okasyon, niyayaya ko sila at lumalabas kami. At the same time, if they ask for favors like video messages or fan signs, binibigay ko sa kanila agad. Yun yung konti kong balik sa kanila. Minsan, mag-pose lang kami together ni Aljur, natutuwa na sila.”

The seven-week run of her recent primetime show Coffee Prince with original screen partner Aljur had just concluded, but it will take a bit time before she gets over missing her role as Andy. A character where she had to pretend to be a boy doesn’t come often after all, and she revealed imbibing the persona of a down-on-her-luck coffee shop attendant in the process of portraying her.

In the Filipino adaptation of the original Korean series with the same title, Kris got to work with veterans, the likes of Leo Martinez, Tessie Tomas and Ricky Davao. Of what she absorbed from observing the senior actors, Kris shared, “Working with them reminds me how important it is for an artista to remain humble, kasi doon ka tatagal. Hindi enough na magaling ka, dapat maging professional at humble.”

We’d have to watch out this 2013 what Kris’ next TV show will be, but she does have something coming up on the big screen, although it has no final play date yet. Kris appears in Alyas Ben Tumbling, playing leading lady opposite Jerico Estregan, the son of actor and Laguna Governor ER Ejercito. The film was submitted for this December’s Metro Manila Film Festival, but failed to make it to the line-up.

And what of her reported suitor Carl Guevarra? Is her fellow Kapuso actor still trying, or are they already an item, we asked.  “I appreciate all his efforts kasi ang laki ng tiyaga niya sa akin. Kahit galing pa siya sa trabaho, hinihintay pa niya ako. Kahit hindi na kami lumabas, ihahatid lang niya ako. Ganoon siya. Nakakatuwa kasi may napapasaya akong tao kahit ganoon lang. Pero wala pa. Nothing serious pa.” (FREEMAN)