By Pepper Marcelo
Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo continues to ascend the heights of stardom. Already established as one of the premier young singers in the country, the 21-year-old has also made a name for herself as a formidable box-office talent. Her last two movies, A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life, both romantic comedy-dramas pairing her with John Lloyd Cruz, were box-office hits. A Very Special Love won for her the title Box Office Queen for 2008, while its sequel, You Changed My Life, in 2009 became the highest-grossing Philippine movie of all time.
Will her winning streak continue? That’s the question as she shoots her latest movie, Hating Kapatid. This time Sarah is moving away from her romantic ingénue roles, playing sister to mega-talent Judy Ann Santos in the dramatic film.
To be working with the erstwhile Soap Queen is a dream come true for Sarah. “Blessing na naman from God na makatrabaho ko ang nag-iisang Judy Ann Santos,” she said.
In the film, the two play children of an OFW couple. Rica (Judy Ann) is forced to take care of her sister, Cecil (Sarah). Cecil gets into an accident early in their childhood, which Rica blames on herself, and who thus makes a stronger commitment to be there for her sister. As Cecil gets older, she strives to be more independent, which causes friction between the two. Complicating matters is when their parents return home and resume their roles, which leaves Rica unwanted.
The movie represents another big step in Sarah’s developing acting career. “Medyo challenging ito bilang actress… Ay! Hindi pala medyo. Challenging talaga!”
Sarah and Judy Ann admit that they haven’t “bonded” yet on the set. Juday observes that Sarah is still shy when she is with her. “Ngayon nahihiya pa magsalita si bagets (referring to Sarah), siguro natatakot or something pero I make it a point naman na ‘pag magkasama kami kinakalma ko siya.”
To be sure, Juday appreciates the effort of Sarah to give her respect. “In fairness kay Sarah may matinding effort siya na dumaan sa tent ko ‘pag dumadating siya, nagbibigay pugay sa akin. Hindi naman na kailangan kasi magkikita naman kami sa set, e. . . I mean if you are thinking na magagalit ako na hindi ka nagbibigay-pugay sa akin, hindi, no, okey lang sa akin yun, ipahinga mo na lang yan kasi mas kailangan mo yan at hindi naman ako isang artista na naghahanap ng atensyon, gusto ko lang na maging komportable siya sa akin.”
The veteran actress hopes that Sarah will eventually look up to her as a trusted friend and confidant, even after the film ends shooting. “Gusto ko rin malaman niya na hindi ito hanggang pelikula lang, pwede kaming maging magkaibigan hanggang pagkatapos nito. Pwede naman niya ako tawagan sa mga oras na kailangan niya ng kausap.”
Juday adds: “Hindi naman mahirap maging kaibigan si Sarah, napakabuti ng puso, napakabuting tao, wala kang paglalagyan ng masamang salita kasi kapag ginawa ko ‘yun ako ang lalabas na masamang tao kasi alam ng lahat ng tao kung gaano siya kabuti.”
Sarah is more comfortable with another of her co-stars in the movie, Luis Manzano. The two have been friends for sometime as co-talents on the weekly variety show ASAP. “Masayahing tao, contagious talaga kasi yung pagiging kalog niya at makulit, e,” she said of Luis.
Asked if there was any attraction or kilig moments between her and Luis, she said: “Yung kilig ko naging kinikilabutan sa sobrang kilig. Kinikilig ako sa kanya kapag nagte-take na kami siguro yung kulitan namin, pareho kasi kaming makulit, tinginan pa lang nakakatuwa na, pangit naman yung walang kilig na inaarte mo lang, so masaya na rin ako sa ganun.”
The 28-year-old actor-TV host shares the same sentiment. “Kami ni Sarah kasi we have established our friendship, our bond, our kulitan and she’s one of the people I trust in this industry,” he said.
He hopes that their off-screen conviviality translates to on-screen chemistry as well. “Kapag may scene kami na nagpapakilig kami eh kami din natatawa sa isa’t-isa. Hopefully naman, it will translate something good in the movie.”
Already there are reports of a possible team-up between Sarah and no less than one of Philippine entertainment’s greatest icons, Nora Aunor. The legendary talent is returning home this month for a showbiz comeback after a prolonged stay in the United States.
Like most in the showbiz circle, Sarah is excited about Nora’s comeback. “Siyempre, I am looking forward to her comeback. Lahat excited na talaga sa pagbabalik ng superstar Nora Aunor at kung ano pa ang maibibigay niya sa mga fans niya at viewers.”
Sarah says that one of her favorite films is the 1995 Nora-starrer The Flor Contemplacion Story. Asked if she’d be open to reprising Nora’s role if there was a remake, Sarah was humble enough to downplay the possibility. “Tama na yon, si Ms. Nora lang yon. Ang hirap-hirap gumawa ng remake. Pass muna ako diyan since hindi naman ako ka-experience na actress, so huwag muna sa akin.”
Sarah looks forward to seeing again a talent of Nora’s stature. “Unang una sa lahat, siya ang superstar, tinitingala ng lahat si Ms. Nora Aunor sa kanyang galing sa pag-arte, exceptional talent niya po talaga. Na-miss natin lahat yan, at lahat talaga nasasabik na makita siya ulit.”
Though her busy schedule does not allow time for romance, the singer-actress nevertheless is constantly hounded by the media about her love life. Last year, there were rumors that a number of suitors were pursuing her, among them singer Mark Bautista and young actor Rayver Cruz.
Sarah admits that Mark is still courting her, but remains undecided on whether to submit to his advances. “Consistent at persistent siya sa kung anumang good intentions na meron siya para sa akin kasi nakikita ko ‘yung respeto niya sa mga magulang ko at sa akin. Baka naman in the end, kami ang magkatuluyan.”
She has said many times that she is firmly focused on her career and that she is still too young to be involved in a romantic relationship. Even her social life has suffered somewhat as a result of her heavy workload. “Honestly po kasi ever since puro trabaho lang [ako] tapos uwi ng bahay. Ganun. Parang I never got the chance na maka-mingle sa mga katrabaho ko.”
Though she looks forward to having an independent life in the future, she wants to remain close to her family, no matter the circumstances. “Kasi very attached ako sa family ko. Even sa pagtulog talagang gusto ko katabi ko ‘yung iba sa mga kapatid ko, ganun kami sa isa’t isa.”
She’s also keenly aware of her image and would not want to indulge in any behavior that might tarnish it. “Naiintindihan ko naman lahat ng ito e. Alam ko na marami akong responsibilities [like] ‘yun nga as a model sa mga kabataan.”
