MANILA -- Enrique Gil said he could not believe that his new big-screen project not only marks his first lead role in a romance film but also features him with box-office stars Bea Alonzo and Dingdong Dantes.
A relative neophyte compared to his co-stars in "She's the One," Gil said he felt nervous about headlining a film with established actors. At 21, Gil is also younger than Alonzo by three years, and Dantes by 12 years.
"Noong unang sinabi sa akin na makaka-triangle ko sina Bea at si Dingdong, 'What?' Sabi ko, 'Grabe 'to!' Sabi ko, 'Wow, teka lang!'" Gil said during a recent press conference for his ongoing TV series "Muling Buksan ang Puso," which will air its final episode on Friday.
Gil said he was particularly nervous about working with Alonzo, who, despite being a fellow Star Magic talent, has been mostly an acquaintance to him.
"Actually kahit papaano -- noong una talaga kinakabahan ako -- when I got to the set, nakausap ko si Bea. There's something about her na hindi ka maiilang sa mga eksena," he recalled.
"It's the way she talks to you, she approaches you. Parang... Bea Alonzo, walang ilang factor lang sa akin. Kaya siguro, swerte lang ako," he said.
As for Dantes, Gil shared they are, in fact, second cousins, "so mas at ease actually."
Having already filmed several scenes with Alonzo and Dantes, Gil said he has become more comfortable with his co-stars, "pero syempre 'yung mga eksena, dapat bigay-todo pag kasama si Ms. Bea Alonzo."
Love triangle
In the first trailer for "She's the One," Gil's character is seen as a love interest to Cat (Alonzo), who has a complicated relationship with her best friend Joaqui (Dantes).
In an apparent reunion with a group of friends, Cat and Joaqui's past is brought up with the mention of "tonsil hockey." The pair then proceeds to argue who kissed who at the time.
While the two remain friends, Cat is seen forming a close relationship Gil's character. This appears to motivate Joaqui to show his true feelings for his best friend.
Directed by Mae Cruz ("24/7 In Love," "Catch Me... I'm in Love") and written by Vanessa Valdez ("Four Sisters and a Wedding," "The Mistress"), "She's the One" will hit theaters nationwide on October 16.
The film, which is among producer Star Cinema's 20th anniversary offerings, also marks the first team-up of Alonzo and Dantes. It is also the GMA-7 actor's third ABS-CBN movie after "Segunda Mano" and "One More Try."
"She's the One" also stars Maricar Reyes, Liza Soberano, Tony Mabesa, Perla Bautista, Pinky Amador, Guji Lorenzana, RS Francisco, Marc Solis, Erika Padilla, Garlic Garcia, Daniel Matsunaga, LJ Reyes and Coleen Garcia.
