Will Rhen Escaño and Jerome Ponce’s onscreen chemistry translate to real life?

Will Rhen Escaño and Jerome Ponce’s onscreen chemistry translate to real life?

The director and other cast members of Viva One’s Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko couldn’t help but notice the undeniable chemistry of the two while filming the series.

Directed by Carlo Enciso Catu, Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko is now streaming on Viva One with Coleen Garcia, Carlo Aquino, Ryza Cenon, and Kiko Estrada as actors.

It’s the first time that Rhen and Jerome have collaborated on an acting project. In the series, which is based on the bestselling book of Marcelo Santos III (Para Sa Hopeless Romantic and Para Sa Broken Hearted), Rhen is Georgina and Jerome is Mark. They are in a long-distance relationship situation and are slowly drifting apart.

“I was also surprised, especially with the scenes na naging montage na because all the people on set, kinilig,” shared Rhen in a media conference.

“While filming the scenes, it’s like we were watching basketball (game),” commented direk Carlo. “Na sobrang nakakakilig for some reason. We were all cheering on set and (I hope) it will translate (on screen). I’ve already seen yung latag ng episode two, feeling ko magiging easy choice siya kung mamimili ka. Medyo sila kasi yung tweetums talaga.”

“Nakakatuwa nga because they played Taylor Swift (music in the background) on set. They know that Taylor Swift is my favorite artist,” continued Rhen. “Parang what direk Carlo said is true, they are like watching a basketball (game) na kilig-kilig silang lahat. I don’t know where it was coming from.

“I guess, we didn’t see it. And Jerome, ewan ko ba ang pula-pula ng mukha. And then I said, ‘OK, it comes out naturally,” she added.

The actress didn’t directly answer the question if there’s something going on between them. She just said, “I hope to work with him again. Because (he is easy to work with). Baka kasi ano mangyari sa atin yung mga bagay-bagay na siyempre kasi nga like what I said earlier, I give my all when it comes to love. So ayoko namang (ma)punta dun sa ako na naman yung tanga.”

Jerome, who is currently single, admitted he got kilig over Rhen. When queried if it’s possible that he gets attracted to his co-star, he said, “Why not?”

Rhen, on the other hand, laughed at the question about her current relationship status. When asked why she couldn’t reply right away, she explained, “I’m really scared because parang dalang-dala na ako. So for someone like me na babasagin na konting tapik lang so sana ingatan niyo naman kami.”

Does she find Jerome as boyfriend material? Rhen laughed and reacted, “Basta ako I’m really scared. Takot ako ang masaktan. Si Jerome kasi mahilig manakit yan. So, let’s be careful.”

“Sometimes, I would ‘fish’ for information, ‘So, what really happened?’ (Jerome) would share to me (the story). In fairness to him. I really asked him and I’m surprised that he would (tell me). In fairness, kahit mahilig manakit, (he is) honest. And that’s what’s important, he is honest.

“Like what he said earlier, siya yung mahilig mang-iwan,” mused Rhen. “I’m scared sa laging nang-iiwan. Parang nandun ako sa sana ako naman yung ipaglaban.”

“Feeling ko I’m not his type,” responded Rhen when asked if there’s a chance for Jerome, but added, “Siguro, why not?”

The qualities that Rhen is looking for in a guy is someone who is “honest and loyal.” She said, “He should know his priorities. He should be honest (in saying), ‘OK. You are No. 2 for now…You will be No. 1 ‘pag naayos ko na lahat ng priorities ko.’”

Meanwhile, Rhen said she’s not closing her doors in doing daring roles if the material is good.

“To be honest, (this is the kind of project) that I want to do (Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko). And if ever I’m going to do daring films, I will make sure na tama and ano yung mga reasons to consider for me to accept certain projects (like that). Because, to be honest, there’s nothing wrong with doing sexy films.

“If the project is for a film festival with heavy acting (and) pang-character piece siya, why not? But for me, especially now, I don’t want to waste the opportunities that were given to me na papunta po duon,” she concluded.