Erich is no copycat

Anonymity is what Erich Gonzales misses most since she took home the grand questor title of ABS-CBN’s Star Circle National Teen Quest two years ago.

"Before, I could stroll around with my friends wherever I would wish to go," says Erich. "My movements were spared from public scrutiny. However, I don’t have qualms about being on the spotlight." In a short span of time, the then aspiring young actress has proven her acting mettle by playing lead and support roles on Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, Calla Lily, Maalaala Mo Kaya’s Regalo and Panday. Recently, she took a 180-degree turn on her career as the villainess Camille Soriano on Sana Maulit Muli. A bold decision that contradicts her angelic mien and lithe body.

"It took me a lot of thinking before I accepted the project," recalls Erich on how she got green-lighted with her character. "I didn’t want to be half-hearted with my decision."

Having played tear-jerking roles many times over, Sana Maulit Muli was a welcome surprise – and a challenge – for Erich whose anti-hero character is bound to create havoc on the love affair of Kim Chiu’s Jasmine Sta. Maria and Gerald Anderson’s Travis Johnson. Her Camille will torment Kim’s character no end. Camille, many observe, is definitely not a copycat of Cherie Gil and Angelika dela Cruz’s Lavinia.

"I have to learn to use the right emotions and eye movements," says Erich of her approach to Camille. "My being kontrabida must not rely on raising an eyebrow alone. I also talk and act in front of the mirror."

Erich finds Camille more challenging since she is totally opposite to her character in real-life – not even a tinge of her screen character.

"I’m a go-getter in reaching my goals and dreams," describes Erich of herself. "But to resort to all avenues – and to go beyond what is acceptable – just to secure personal happiness is not my thing." Erich won’t step on someone else’s toes or to trip on someone to get ahead.

If there’s something Erich worries with her latest project, it’s the possibility that Kim and Gerald fans might mistake her as Camille and eventually get mad of her. She hopes their supporters are mature enough to understand what acting is. Erich is figuratively thrust into the screen just for the show.

Whatever Camille may entail to her professional and personal life, Erich is a picture of happiness as she enjoys the opportunity to work with actors like Tonton Gutierrez and wife Glydel Mercado, a grand slam Best Supporting Actress winner.

"She cheers me up whenever I get nervous," says Erich of Glydel, playing Clara, her ambitious and manipulative mom on Sana Maulit Muli. "She is very supportive and reminds me that I should consider everything real when the camera starts to grind." As a dutiful daughter to Glydel’s character on the soap, Erich has wowed many showbiz watchers with her weeknights performance and become effective as kontrabida. She even upstages Kim in certain scenes.

"I will always be grateful to ABS-CBN," says Erich. "I still get good projects even if there are many good young actors out there."