Erich’s ‘bloody’ work wins praises

MANILA, Philippines — Erich Gonzales has every right to feel happy and proud. Her acting in The Blood Sisters has earned praises from televiewers, netizens and her co-stars in the primetime drama series.

During the show’s thanksgiving media conference, Erich turned emotional upon learning how her co-stars — both veteran and young actors — admired her as a person and as an actress. Add to that the good news that after the primetime series’ pilot episode last Feb. 12, The Blood Sisters has been consistently on the top spot of the TV ratings game.

In The Blood Sisters, Erich portrays the triplets Erika, Agatha and Carrie who are separated after birth and raised by different families. Erika is Bisaya, Agatha speaks Ilocano and Carrie talks in English. They grow up not knowing one another until fate intervenes. The triplets cross paths, resulting to the rise of conflicts.

Ogie Diaz said that not once did he hear the young actress complain on how physically, mentally and emotionally draining it is to be playing three characters with differing attitudes and personalities. What impressed him all the more is her finding some time to be his “acting coach” so that he sounds believable when he delivers his lines in Bisaya.

“Thank you ha, tatlo ‘yung characters n’ya pero meron s’yang panahon para turuan ako kaya puring puri ko ‘tong lola mo (pertaining to Erich). Napakabait at hindi prima donna sa set,” said Ogie who plays Erika’s close friend Bruce in the series.

Newcomer Maika Rivera, on the other hand, looks up to Erich not only for her acting talent but also for her genuine concern for her co-stars. “Erich is my inspiration because she’s so kind and so warm towards me. Even if I am new (in the business), they are all patient with me.”

Equally impressed were Ejay Falcon and Enchong Dee whom Erich had worked with in the Kapamilya TV series Katorse aired in 2009. This time, the two play leading men to Erich’s Erika and Carrie.

Ejay said, “Ang daming nagbago sa kanya. Her range of acting is so different now that you’ll feel challenged to do good…sobrang galing n’ya. Of course, during our Katorse days, we were all very young. Now after many years, you will notice the maturity in every person, nag-iiba rin talaga. Napakaganda n’ya ngayon.”

Enchong could only agree by telling that Erich is truly deserving of the triple-role project. Even veteran stars Jestoni Alarcon, Dante Rivero and Cherry Pie Picache were vocal about their admiration for the young star.

“Napakagaling ng ating bida na si Erich,” stressed Dante. “She gives a very convincing performance to each character.”

Cherry Pie had the same observation and went on to reveal a lot of other things about Erich. “I would really like to commend her because in the first week alone, our acting was so intense. I told this to the staff that it’s been a long time since I last worked with a young actor who studied the script. Si Erich, she holds her script like it’s her Bible. She studies her scenes, she does her homework.”

Cherry Pie added, “Pinag-aaralan niya to the point of me telling myself, ‘Oh no, I need to be like her.’ It’s very inspiring, especially to us (referring to her veteran co-stars) who are in this business for quite a long time because sometimes we become so complacent (with our acting). And when you meet an actor, a co-actor, who studies the script and who really prepares for every scene, aba, teka muna kailangan mag-aral din ako. I really commend her passion.”

Erich, in turn, seemed at a loss for words after hearing the heartening comments. She initially thanked everyone who came to the media call and proceeded to say her thank you’s to the whole production team of Blood Sisters.

“Why do I feel like crying,” said Erich who couldn’t control anymore the tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. “Kasi naman parang may pa-tribute. Wow, I don’t know what to say, siguro po puro pasasalamat lang po. Playing three characters is not easy but whenever I receive a text (message) about the ratings or I get to read good reviews, sobrang nawawala po lahat ng pagod.”

She, too, never denied how tough it is to play three characters that require equal amount of acting effort. “Madugo lang kasi there are scenes where the two characters must be present. So, in one scene alone, we need to do it repetitively. But everyone is cooperative, tulong-tulong naman sa lahat kaya kayang-kaya po,” said Erich.

Meanwhile, Erich is pitting acting talents with Lovi Poe and Tom Rodriguez on the big screen via Cineko Production’s The Significant Other, now showing in theaters. Recent reports said that Erich and Lovi were both carried away in their shouting match-cum-slapping scene where both got hurt. In spite of what happened, Lovi and Erich were said to have not harbored ill-feelings towards each other.