It has been 10 years since Jeric Gonzales became the winner of the reality show "Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break." While starting out in the industry, the Kapuso hunk was not immune to the usual criticisms that came with being a neophyte in showbiz. Kibitzers easily judged him as "just another pretty face" and worst of all, that he didn't know how to act.
Jeric recalled that the bashing would affect his family, whom he was very close to. "Sabi ng parents ko 'mag nurse ka na lang, bumalik ka na lang sa pagna-nursing tutal nakatapos ka naman.' Pero eto (showbiz) kasi talaga ang gusto ko so wala silang nagawa. Sinuportahan nila ako."
The 30-year old actor considers negative comments as a chance to strive even harder.
"Lahat naman may masasabi sa 'yo. Iyang mga bashers, siguro nakikita nila may pagkukulang pa, so i have to correct it. Hindi ako nagtatanim ng sama ng loob kahit kanino. I use it as a way para ma-improve ang craft ko."
2022 is proving to be the year of golden opportunities for Jeric. First, he was given the chance to be part of the lead cast of GMA Network's Start-Up PH as Davidson "Dave" Navarro. Then, there's also his first solo starrer, the indie film "Broken Blooms" produced by BenTria Productions which already gained for Jeric four Best Actor awards from prestigious film festivals abroad.
These are: the Harlem International Film Festival in New York, Mokkho and Tagore IFF in India, and most recently, the Montellupo Fiorentino International Film Festival in Italy.
"Broken Blooms" will be shown in local theaters on Dec. 14, so it will be a chance for film lovers and Jeric's fans to see for themselves what made the movie earn the nod of the judges. He also sang the theme song "Hihintayin Kita."
Jeric said he really had to step up and take his role seriously because he was working with an award-winning team in "Broken Blooms" which included director Louie Ignacio and his fellow cast members Ms. Jaclyn Jose and Therese Malvar.
"Nakipagsabayan ako sa kanila (his teammates)," Jeric said. "The hardest part I did in the movie was the breakdown scene where I vented out all my frustrations as a teen who was pushed into an early marriage, then lost my job because of the pandemic."
Joblessness brings Jeremy (Jeric's character) into an awkward situation and the resulting sexiness is something he teases his fans with. "Kung dati top lang ang hinuhubad ko, dito sa Broken Blooms may aabangan pa kayo."
Asked if he was willing to be more daring in his roles, Jeric said he keeps an open mind. "Am an actor, so I am not limiting myself to what I am capable of doing as an actor. If the role is challenging, why not?," He pointed out, however, that the final say will come from GMA, his home network.
Jeric said he is grateful to his Kapuso management for the roles he's been getting lately and for letting him spread his wings. As an actor, Jeric said he is in a constant state of learning and evolution, even putting emphasis on his own style and physique. He noted that he keeps himself relevant in a competitive industry by "doing my best in everything I do, showing my unique side."
"Dito kasi sa showbiz, dapat laging may bagong nakikita sa ýo," he added.
After "Broken Blooms," Jeric is focused now on exploring bigger territories and manifesting his dreams. He is definitely ready for exciting projects coming up in 2023.
"I grew up watching GMA talaga so dream ko na mapasama sa mala-Encantadia at Mulawin na show. I auditioned for those roles before kaso hindi ako pinalad. If you ask me, dream ko na mapabilang sa fantaserye ng GMA kung saan nakilala ang GMA at kung saan ko sila hinangaan," he revealed.