Kim & Jerald: We’re each other’s strength

Reel-to-real-life couple Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles still have it after almost seven years of being together. The long-time pair displayed fondness for each other during the digital media conference of their new film together, Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam (ABWP).

“Kami ang teacher ng isa’t isa. We are a tandem,” answered Kim when asked about the extent of their involvement in their respective careers.

Kim and Jerald started as theater actors and they met and fell in love on the set of PETA’s musical-dramedy Rak of Aegis.

“In our careers, we were marketed as comedians-actors-singers,” said Jerald. “Automatic na ‘pag may project na kanta, kailangan kong lumapit kay Kim as my vocal coach. Kasi strength niya talaga yun. Sa acting, lumalapit siya sa akin. As a senior actor, nakapag-training ako at mas alam ko paano i-explain kay Kim on a personal level and professional way yung acting sa kanya.”

Jerald also gave acting tips to his girlfriend. When Kim approached him for her roles in #Jowable (where Jerald had a special appearance) and MOMOL Nights, he advised her to read the script three times so she could see the subtext fully.

Meanwhile, Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam marks the second time for Kim to work with Darryl Yap as his lead star. The film explores the story of a woman superhero diagnosed with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain, a condition that inhibits her to feel physical and emotional pain. Thus, Tasha (Kim) lacks the ability to fully love someone until she meets Ngongo (Jerald), a man with cleft palate and together, they venture to discover the intimacy of love despite their conditions.

Jerald said he believes that Kim’s personality suits Tasha’s well for the role of a “superhero.”

“I know she will give justice to the role,” said the 38-year-old actor. “The role is not just about a superhero, it’s about being who you are and accepting who you are.”

Kim, on her part, feels grateful for the opportunity to play diverse roles in her movies. “Gusto ko rin i-share ang opportunity what I can do at natutunan ko as an actress.”

Asked if the audience can expect a steamy scene from the film, the answer was “none,” but Kim jokingly said, “pagkatapos ng filming, may steamy shots.”

As a tandem on- and off-screen, both were inevitably asked about their marriage plans. Both of them agreed to have their careers flourish first before tying the knot, especially now in this time of the pandemic.

“Late bloomer kami sa career,” said Jerald. “We want to maximize po sana ano yung kaya i-offer…at alam namin kung saan kami papunta in the near future. Pero hindi naman namin inaalis sa isip namin ang ganung bagay.”

“It’s a day-to-day basis approach,” he added, “we need to survive this year first and plan for the next. For now, itong (career) muna yung focus namin at agree naman si Kim.”

The two also bared that “constant communication” keeps them going and is the key to survive the seven-year itch.

As for Jerald’s character, director Darryl Yap assured the public that Ngongo was treated with “pure sensitivity, respect and utmost concern with the way they are living with their lives, and no intention to ridicule or shame them.”

Jerald shared that he personally did not see any problem with the script and the treatment of his character. “Walang problema sa akin nung nalaman ko na ngongo. Pero nangangamba pa rin ako na may masasabi ang mga tao… I never portrayed it based sa perception ng isang tao na ngongo, binase ko siya as tao na may disability.”

Nonetheless, Kim, Jerald and Darryl encouraged the audience to watch the movie first to understand more of the character’s role and the story itself.

Ang Babaeng Walang Pakiramdam will be livestreamed worldwide on June 11 via ktx.ph, iWantTFC, TFC IPTV, SKY PPV, Cignal PPV and on Vivamax.