Edgar Allan Guzman’s many firsts

CEBU, Philippines — For actor Edgar Allan Guzman, being part of the Kapuso primetime series “My Korean Jagiya” is a dream come true—but for more reasons than you think.

The “Eat Bulaga!” Mr. Pogi 2006 winner, who has had a taste of how it is to work with TV5 and ABS-CBN, has decided to be a Kapuso at the moment.

EA has found himself a role in the currently airing romantic comedy “My Korean Jagiya” alongside Heart Evangelista opposite Korean actor and former Kpop idol Alexander Lee.

Portraying the role of Ryan, EA is Gia’s (Heart) selfish and frugal ex-boyfriend who had exchanged the latter for another woman. Directed by Mark Reyes, “My Korean Jagiya” circles in on bubbly Korean drama fan Gia, a hopeless romantic who is often teased as the next old maid in the family, and a fan girl of Korean superstar Kim Jun-ho (Alexander Lee).

Gia travels to Seoul through a scholarship training program, and is determined to find her long-time crush Jun-ho after he fell off the radar at the height of his career. Coming back home with no news of Jun-ho, Gia eventually had to help a drunk stranger who got beat up at one of the bars in Manila—not knowing that it was Jun-ho. Sparks fly and the two develop a friendship. While Gia acknowledges that she feels something more, she is unsure if Jun-ho even feels the same way about her. Ryan later on comes back into the picture, desperately doing everything he can to win back Gia from Jun-Ho.

“Ang maganda sa show na ito is original siya. Although sumasabay siya sa uso, it’s not a remake of anything else,” EA, who is now dubbed as the Prince of Philippine Independent Films, says of the hit series.

EA was in town last Saturday with Heart and Alexander for a press conference at Golden Cowrie, Lahug before the trio bannered a mall shows at Gaisano Capital South and Gaisano Island Mall Mactan to drum up more support for “My Korean Jagiya.”

Naturally, EA’s role as Ryan gets on the nerves of affected viewers. For those rooting for Jun-ho, Ryan will always get some flak, is often bashed and resented by viewers –something that EA considers a good thing.

“Nakakatawa nga po. May mga taong nagugustuhan si Ryan, may naiinis. Pero ibig sabihin noon, nanonood sila, at sumusuporta sila sa programa,” shares EA, adding that viewer feedback says a lot about their performance which means so much to him especially that this is his first primetime project.

 “First time ko po ito sa lahat. I’m so happy and this is a dream come true for me,” EA says.

That’s not to say he’s not grateful for all the opportunities given to him by other networks, most of them being something only other actors can dream of.

It also didn’t hurt to be able to work in “My Korean Jagiya” with your all-time crush.

EA admits that he has always looked up to and admired Heart, being attracted to chinitas like her. Not even in his wildest dreams did he picture out the both of them on the same screen together.

 “Alam ko po kasi na talagang walang chance,” EA laughs as Heart feigns extreme flattery while Alexander gets into character and claims Heart’s affections a la Jun-ho.

“Matagal ko na po talaga siyang crush at pinapangrap ko po na

makilala si Heart, and ngayon nakatrabaho ko na siya. It really is a dream come true,” EA continues.

The cast of “My Korean Jagiya” has a carefree and friendly vibe about them— as seen in the way they interact with one another on and off cam. The cast had already gotten together at Heart’s house, with her leading men maintaining a close relationship even with her husband, Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. Radiating a sort of camaraderie like that of good friends and family, every member of the “My Korean Jagiya” cast claims that none of them would want this to end.

“Iba kasi ang ambiance. Magaan lang sila katrabaho at iba ang samahan namin sa loob at labas ng set. This is the second time na parang naging pamilya ko na yung katrabaho ko,” EA shares, pointing out further that within meeting each other and a few days of filming they were able to break the ice and have fun with each other’s company—all of them hoping that they get to do more of what they love alongside people who value them and their work.(FREEMAN)