Between Maybes director reacts on Julia-Gerald issue

MANILA, Philippines — “It’s saddening.”

That’s how Between Maybes director Jason Paul “JP” Laxamana described how the issue involving the lead stars of his film, Julia Barretto and Gerald Anderson, has blown up on social media this week.

It all started with Bea Alonzo’s social media activity last Sunday, making cryptic posts on Instagram such as a black photo with the caption that read: “‘You can’t make the same mistake twice, the second time you make it, it’s not a mistake anymore, it’s a choice.’ ENOUGH,” and liking IG posts alleging a romance brewing between Gerald and Julia. These sparked speculations of infidelity and a falling-out between the couple of three years, Bea and Gerald.

It was direk JP’s romantic-drama that paired Julia and Gerald for the first time, and some fans have pinpointed the film (released last May) as where the rumors linking the two ABS-CBN stars started.

Bea Alonzo made cryptic posts on Instagram, sparking speculations of a falling-out with her boyfriend Gerald. —  Photo from Bea Alonzo’s Instagram

Direk JP said that he is not privy to the personal goings-on in the lives of the stars of his previous film, however, he finds the “toxicity” online surrounding this issue as getting out of hand.

“It’s just too much,” he told The STAR over the phone, particularly criticizing the memes and “attacks” on Julia that have “become sexual in nature.”

“If someone indeed committed a mistake, people are entitled to commit mistakes,” he said, adding that he doesn’t want to get himself involved in the issue.

Direk JP is no stranger to some controversy for some of his movies and works, and he has had his share of bashing online. He said he has not messaged Julia or Gerald as of presstime, but when asked if he had any advice for them, he hopes everyone involved gets to resolve the issue among themselves and to let things be.

“We cannot contain social media and we cannot control the reactions (of the people),” he admitted. He, however, believes that “huhupa din yan lahat (It will all die down).”

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old director said that his hands are full enough, as it is, with work to dip into the controversy. His next directorial project is the Anne Curtis-Marco Gumabao starrer about a forbidden romance, titled Just a Stranger, produced by Viva Films and slated for nationwide release on Aug. 21. It is JP’s fourth film this year, including Ang Henerasyong Sumuko sa Love under Regal Entertainment, which has no playdate yet.

Jason Paul “JP” Laxamana — Photos from direk JP Laxamana’s Instagram

Meanwhile, celebrity friends and family had taken to social media to offer support to the parties involved. Kris Aquino, Dawn Zulueta, Angelica Panganiban and Julia’s aunt Gretchen Barretto were among the celebrities who left a message of support on Bea’s post.

No word from Gerald, but his “liking” a fan post about being misjudged has been reposted by fans.

Julia has neither addressed the issue, only sharing and posting on her IG stories, about her work, an old vacation, former boyfriend and loveteam partner Joshua Garcia’s message of support, plans of moving to a new home. She, however, disabled the comment section of her IG account. Her family, specifically mother Marjorie and sister Dani have already come to Julia’s defense, with the former threatening to take legal action against the netizen who posted a photo of Julia and Gerald attending the birthday party of actor Rayver Cruz last weekend.