The role close to Matteo’s heart

MANILA, Philippines – After playing one of the lead characters in Inday Bote with Alex Gonzaga last year, Matteo Guidicelli returns to primetime TV with a role he describes as very close to his heart.

The Kapamilya actor will take on an Italian character named Giancarlo in ABS-CBN’s latest drama series Dolce Amore that is set to premiere on Feb. 15. Topbilling with Matteo are Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil whose loveteam is popularly known as LizQuen.

During the grand presscon for Dolce Amore recently, Matteo shared that his grandfather’s dream is for him to do a film in Italy.

 “Actually, last year, I wanted to focus on my album already with Star Music but Star Creatives came to me and told me that they have a project for me; that we’re gonna shoot in Italy and I’m going to play an Italian character. Sabi ko, wow, I lost my Lolo last year. His dream for me was to do a film in Italy and sabi ko kay Lolo (when he was still alive) parang it’s not gonna happen. Bakit naman gagawin ng ABS-CBN ’yun? Pero nangyari na at ’yun kumbaga is very close to my heart this role and I’m very blessed to be working with direk Bobot (Mortiz), especially direk Cathy (Garcia-Molina) and direk Mae (Cruz-Alviar).”

The singer-actor said the same thing about his grandfather’s wish which, somehow, he was able to fulfill through Dolce Amore during his guesting in KrisTV last month. He fondly called his grandfather as Nono.

The character fits Matteo to a T since he was born to Italian dad Gianluca and Filipina mom Glenna Fernan. No wonder, Matteo can speak in Italian. But Matteo humbly said, “Yeah, I can speak (in Italian) pero tama lang naman. Si Ruben (Maria Soriquez, an Italian actor-director who is also in the cast) is the one correcting our grammar mistakes. He’s a big help in the whole set; sobrang galing.”

It was last December when Matteo flew to Rome, Italy for the taping of some of his scenes with Liza, Cherie Gil, Roberto and Frenchie Dy. He spent a week in the Eternal City while Liza stayed for 10 days.

With co-stars Enrique Gil and Liza Soberano

In Dolce Amore, Matteo plays Liza’s bestfriend who is secretly in love with her. It is the first time for the two to work together. He pities his character so much because “you so love the person but still she will leave you behind.”

Asked how does he find Liza, Matteo replied that the actress is mature for her age and went on to reveal some details regarding her and Enrique. He added, “I find her beautiful. Before we worked in Italy, I thought she’s very young and then I learned that she’s 18 but she’s very mature for her age. She makes decisions of her own. It’s very nice to see a woman like that; very independent person. At magaling si Liza and she has this hidden talent that you don’t know. She likes to rap. We had our bonding moments so the shoot in Italy was a happy one. And she’s always talking to someone on Facetime (laughs).”

Visibly surprised, Liza denied it by telling that she had no Internet connection at that time while Enrique, who was seated beside her, was only reacting with a sweet smile.

For those not in the know, Matteo and Enrique have known each other even before they entered showbiz. According to Enrique, his Tita is a good friend of Matteo’s mom so “ever since before we’re friends. We often see each other in Cebu.”

(Dolce Amore also stars Edgar Mortiz, Rio Locsin, Kean Cipriano, Sunshine Cruz and Andrew E.) age and went on to reveal some details regarding her and Enrique. He added, “I find her beautiful. Before we worked in Italy, I thought she’s very young and then I learned that she’s 18 but she’s very mature for her age. She makes decisions of her own. It’s very nice to see a woman like that; very independent person. At magaling si Liza and she has this hidden talent that you don’t know. She likes to rap. We had our bonding moments so the shoot in Italy was a happy one. And she’s always talking to someone on Facetime (laughs).”

Visibly surprised, Liza denied it by telling that she had no Internet connection at that time while Enrique, who was seated beside her, was only reacting with a sweet smile.

For those not in the know, Matteo and Enrique have known each other even before they entered showbiz. According to Enrique, his Tita is a good friend of Matteo’s mom so “ever since before we’re friends. We often see each other in Cebu.”

(Dolce Amore also stars Edgar Mortiz, Rio Locsin, Kean Cipriano, Sunshine Cruz and Andrew E.)