Enrique to spend ‘birthday break’ in Bali

MANILA, Philippines — Enrique Gil is turning 26 tomorrow, March 30. Last Wednesday, he was treated to a surprise birthday cake that resembled a pizza from the restaurant chain Greenwich, which signed up the Kapamilya star as its latest brand ambassador.

He closed his eyes and then made a wish.

“Whenever I have a birthday, I always pray for my mom (his father passed away in 2008). I’m a Mama’s boy and proud of it,” said Enrique in a lunch interview over Greenwich’s new and signature menu items like the Tuna Lasagna and Four Seasons Slush, as well as the Ultimate Meaty Overload pizza.

“I always say this, nothing is more important than my family, loved ones, friends and myself. I really want them to be healthy, away from danger, harm, accidents and sicknesses.”

He also wished for himself more work. “Of course, more relationships, more projects, that I get to meet and work with other brands, which I think came true.”

To be welcomed to the Greenwich “barkada” of endorsers came at the right time. Enrique considers it as “my early birthday gift.”

Meanwhile, as a birthday treat for himself, he is going on an overseas trip again with his barkada composed of girlfriend Liza Soberano, his younger sister and their non-showbiz friends. “Actually, in a couple of days, I’m leaving for Bali. I (will bring) the whole barkada with me. That’s my blowout for them. That’s going to be fun and I’m really excited for that,” said Enrique, who was last spotted abroad by fans at the Hong Kong concert of BTS with Liza and his sister, both huge fans of the K-pop group. He was the one who secured their tickets with the help of a relative.

After Bali, next destinations are London and South Korea. “Sabi ko talaga kay Liza, I really wanna travel the world. I really wanna see the whole world! I’ve always loved traveling ever since I was a kid. Maybe because my parents were with PAL. Every time they had a flight, they would bring me along. I was just used to going around a lot.”

He added, “I also see on Instagram, on social media, ang gaganda ng pictures and how beautiful the world is. I feel like I’m so small. And when you see these other places, oh my god, their food, the culture, everything! We really like having fun whenever we go out. So, I really research, like when we go to Bali, ano ang mga magagandang gawin?”

The Bali vacation will only be four days though. “Very, very short. I wanted to extend but I think there’s a surprise being prepared for me (laughs). They won’t say, pero parang may something. My gosh, I don’t want a big party, I told Liza. Tapos sabi niya, basta. So, I have a feeling, there’s a party happening. I hope (laughs).”

Now that the “open showbiz secret” of Enrique and Liza being in a relationship got confirmed, the actor was asked how it’s helping them as long-time onscreen partners. He was the first to admit it in a Gandang Gabi Vice episode wherein they were made to undergo a “lie detector test” while promoting their now-hit film Alone/Together.

“I don’t know if it helped (laughs),” Enrique said, stressing that it was totally unplanned. “Dude, I was scared that it would ground me. So inunahan ko na… Then tuloy-tuloy na, oh man!”

Enrique with Greenwich brand and PR director Inna Gimenez (left) and marketing head Pam Reyes during the contract signing at the Greenwich branch along Visayas Ave. in Quezon City — Photos courtesy of Greenwich

There’s one person he’s a bit worried about because of their admission. “Medyo kinakabahan lang ako sa lolo ni Liza sa States, promise kasi pag-26 na daw siya pwede mag-boyfriend, parang ganun,” Enrique said. “Everybody around us knows but they haven’t told the lolo because siya ang nag-alaga kay Liza growing up. Siempre iba yun. Pero lumabas na yun. I don’t know what he’s going to say. Pero mabait naman po sa akin yun — super bait sa akin.”

After his birthday break, Enrique will do another teleserye and movie with Liza. He also hopes to produce his own movies one day. “I will really do it. I have some concepts. But for now, I won’t get into it yet. I’m saving it for the future.”

Enrique has no plans also of doing what some of the biggest love teams are trying to do now — that is, venturing into projects with other actors.

“I don’t know. That’s so hard. I was so used to being paired before. Because (when) I was starting out kasi in ABS-CBN, I was like the boy next door na kahit kanino i-pi-pair. I got paired with Kathryn (Bernardo), I got paired with Julia Montes… parang umiikot talaga ako sa ‘love teams.’ Sanay ako to work with other people but it’s so hard because of the fans.

“It’s been two years since (Liza and I) released a film (before) Alone/Together, so if you’re asking (if we can do films with other people) parang di muna kasi it’s been two years that fans have been really craving for a movie. If other love teams are doing that, going separate ways, why do we have to follow, I mean, the trend? I’m open to work naman in solo projects, but to work with other people and break the love team right now, I don’t really feel it. I don’t think we need it.”