Aljur ready to perk you up

MANILA, Philippines - Aljur Abrenica is the new Coffee Prince, a departure from his previous Machete and Amaya roles that were quintessential Pinoy-machismo archetypes. Beginning tonight on GMA Telebabad block, Aljur will simply wear his charming self as Arthur in the local version of the popular Koreanovela. 

“Matagal tayong nawala. It was almost a year,” offers Aljur, who is making a primetime comeback after appearing on Kapuso shows and gracing the network’s events abroad. “I’m back to primetime where I play the lead. I’m excited about Coffee Prince and I consider it as one of the most challenging roles GMA has given me. My character has fallen in love with someone he thought is a guy.”

Part of Aljur’s excitement over the project is working again with perennial onscreen partner Kris Bernal. “Nothing has changed,” Aljur describes his and Kris’ rapport on the set. “I’m still open to her. She is very professional. I’m happy that I’m working with her again. This is something I’ve dreamed of (doing) since we were paired with other stars. When it comes to work, we have to give our best regardless who is our partner and I think that we’re the best love team.”

Based on the trailer of Coffee Prince, one can still feel Aljur and Kris’ chemistry. According to Aljur, theirs does not only work because they look good together. It also works because of the hard work they put in every TV assignment. Their friendship, he adds, also does wonders.

Although his latest project is an adaptation, Aljur assures televiewers that Coffee Prince is definitely close to home.

“It is almost the same,” he shares. “(But) they ‘Philippinized’ it. Andy (played by Kris) is seen driving a tricycle. The scenes in the Korean version are quiet and the actors (rely) more on (facial) expressions. The Pinoy characters are talk-y.”

“When we adapt, we get the main story or the main premise,” adds headwriter Des Garbes-Severino. “Most of the major plotlines are intact. We adapt it to our local setting. (For instance) in the original, Andy is a delivery girl. But we’re not familiar with that, although we do have delivery boys. So we’ve made her a tricycle driver. If you notice, the Korean version, though a rom-com (romance-comedy), is more on light romance. This time around, we (explore the concept of) rom-com. There will be funny (scenes) along with heartwarming moments.”

Des also admits that doing an adaptation is challenging. “Basically, the story is there,” she shares. “There’s a little room to move around.” The creative people behind Coffee Prince are also faced with the task to make the story, given the character arcs, more interesting and better than the original. Die-hard fans, who know every twist and turn of the story, won’t get disappointed because the iconic scenes such as Arthur carrying Andy on his back and he running after her from condo to restaurant asking for apology will be there.

Coffee Prince also stars Tessie Tomas, Ces Quesada, Celia Rodriguez, Leo Martinez, Ronnie Henares, Steven Silva, Sef Cadayona, Kim Komatsu, Benjamin Alves, Fabio Ide, Boy2 Quizon and Max Collins.

Asked what’s interesting about his character Arthur, Aljur replies, “He is smart and (seems to have not gotten over) his childhood. He is spoiled but gifted when it comes to (managing a) business.”

However, being back taping for long hours does not worry Aljur because he is “a coffee lover. I drink a cup a day. When on the set, I usually have two to three cups. (If I were a coffee), I would be (kapeng) barako. I’m puro at walang halo. It fits my personality — matapang, puro at masarap.”

That makes Aljur the Pinoy Coffee Prince, who is ready to perk up your primetime TV habit.