Third time around for Erich & Enchong

MANILA, Philippines - Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee said that they struck an agreement when they were first paired in a project, and that they’re sticking to it as they team up anew in the ABS-CBN teleserye Maria La Del Barrio.

“We really made a promise not to fall in love with each other and we’re going to fulfill that promise,” Erich said in a presscon last July 27 at the Dolphy Theater inside the ABS-CBN Compound.

“It’s hard to work if you’re in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. So we’re happy at how things are going and we’re very okay at work,” she added.

Besides, Enchong said, both of them intend to prioritize their careers. “We’ve talked about it that at this point it should be work first. (But) we understand why we’re being repeatedly asked if we are in a relationship. Of course, our fans are hoping that we are. But as I’ve always said myself, it’s better if we remain friends.”

But there’s no denying that to effectively flesh out their roles in their third teleserye together after Katorse and Magkaribal, there has to be a little attraction involved. “I think I’ve already said before that it would be hard to have an instant on-screen chemistry if there isn’t any attraction at all. We’re only human beings,” the 22-year-old Enchong said with a laugh.

Maria La Del Barrio is a remake of the popular Mexican telenovela topbilled by Thalia, which first aired on local TV 15 years ago. Erich plays the young servant Maria who falls for the dashing but disorderly son of the house, Fernando Jose (Enchong). It’s too early to tell if third time’s also a charm for their team-up, but both agreed that their working relationship here has taken a turn for the better.

The 20-year-old Davaoeña actress said, “There’s no hesitation and awkwardness  there’s nothing of that sort. I’ve done several projects with Enchong and with each project, we’ve come to know each other better. We’ve grown a lot more and there are no more inhibitions between us. (Enchong) also doesn’t take advantage (when it comes to sensitive scenes). He’s the perfect gentleman.”

The TV series is Erich’s second TV title role since breaking into Philippine showbiz via a reality search in 2005. She said, “I am nervous and I feel the pressure. But it’s normal and I’m happy with the outcome.”

The teleserye also casts Ai-Ai de las Alas in a special role, as well as Angel Aquino, who left an impression on viewers with her kontrabida portrayal in last year’s high-fashion drama series Magkaribal. Ai-Ai is Maria’s adoptive mother, while Angel is antagonist again who will come in between Assunta de Rossi and Ian Veneracion, who portray the biological parents of Maria. Because they will be locking horns in several scenes, Angel said that she made it a point to get Ai-Ai’s go-signal when the scenes required her to get “physical” with the latter.

Assunta, meanwhile, was asked if she weren’t feeling bothered over the mother roles being offered to her. She’s only 28 in real life, after all. “I don’t decline good roles. I don’t mind kung magmukha man akong nanay o anak. Basta ‘wag lang mukhang tatay!” quipped Assunta.

Maria La Del Barrio also marks former child star Ian’s return to the Kapamilya network. “In real life, I have three kids with ages 13, 10 and 5, so I don’t need to pretend,” Ian also said in reaction to the “parent role” question.

The primetime TV series, which is set to premiere on Aug. 15, was supposed to begin airing last March after ABS-CBN acquired the TV rights last year. (Two other Thalia telenovelas were already remade in the competing network.)

The delays, according to Rory Quintos (one of the two directors; the other being Richard Somes), were caused by script changes to thicken the plot and sub-stories, and such required approval from the Mexican producer Televisa. Adjustments were also made to “Filipinize” the series (i.e. more outdoor scenes shot in Cavite and Tagaytay unlike the largely studio setting of the original). Nevertheless, well-loved elements of the first version were retained.