Seasoned directors Jerry Sineneng and Dominic Zapata have nothing but good words for Kapuso actors Alden Richards and Bea Alonzo.
In a virtual interview, the two, who are supervising GMA's upcoming local adaptation of the hit 2020 South Korean series "Start-Up," which stars both Alden and Bea, praised the two for their professionalism.
Jerry, known for "La Luna Sangre" and "Walang Hanggan," is, in fact, a huge fan of Alden.
He became one after seeing him in the 2019 Star Cinema movie "Hello, Love, Goodbye."
"Galing na galing ako sa kanya dun," he said, noting how the thought is shared by many of the staff who worked on the film.
They even went beyond that according to Jerry, relating how they told him that Alden is also "mabait, masayahin, at magaan katrabaho."
Jerry witnessed it himself firsthand working with Alden on "Start-Up."
And he is now a bigger fan of the actor.
He shared how Alden manages to lighten up everyone's mood when he's around.
"Hindi ko alam, may magic si Alden. Napapasaya niya yung set," he said. "Hindi ko alam kung paano pero napapagaan niya kahit mabibigat yung eksena, kahit malalaki yung eksena, kahit lupaypay na kayo sa pagod... mabiro kasi yun in a positive way. Napakasarap katrabaho."
Jerry hopes it won't be the last time they work together.
As for Bea, he said, "Parang alak, habang tumatagal, gumagaling."
"Napakahusay na niya," he added, noting, "When she puts her heart and soul into something talagang naitatawid niya na siyang-siya talaga."
As a pair, Jerry teased that Alden and Bea "magically" brought life to the characters that were assigned to them.
He maintained it wasn't hard for him and Dominic to create chemistry between the two.
And Dominic ("The World Between Us") couldn't agree more, maintaining the two already have "natural chemistry."
Though it was his first time working with Bea, Dominic reiterated that he wasn't nervous at all because he always hear "good things" about Bea.
Dominic was so pleased that Bea proved these to be true.
He even thanked the actress for it.
"Sabi ko: 'Bea, thank you kasi totoo lahat ng naririnig ko. Totoo yung chismis - mahusay, magaling, professional, tsaka mabait sa mga tao."
According to Dominic, despite him setting the bar really high, Bea still exceeded his expectation.
"I love it when she arrived on the set, hindi lang niya alam yung lines niya, alam niya yung buong nangyayari sa istorya. Binasa niya yung buong script... Alam niya yung nangyayari sa istorya ng ibang characters. That's the mark of not only a consummate professional pero someone who's a veteran. And ang bata pa niya pero veteran na siya umasta. Ang dami niyang alam."
As for the bashers of their upcoming show, Dominic was quick to dismiss them noting, "Haters gonna hate."
The director noted that they're not affected at all as they aren't active on social media.
"Nakakarating lang sa'kin in form of secondhand information. But we're artists, we stay true to the craft," he said.
"We understand that being given a task this major, this big, we don't take it for granted. We pull out all the stuff. Pinag-aralan namin lahat ng kailangang matutunan para ma-execute ng maganda. I think the franchise that you (the audience) love is in good hands."
But Dominic is asking for viewers' understanding relating their version of "Start-Up" is not necessarily a copy of the original.
"Hindi namin kinokopya because kung kinokopya namin siya ng parehong-pareho e ba't pa namin ginawa?"
If ever, he asked fans to keep an open mind when they watch the Philippine version.
"Allow yourself to be entertained," he reminded.
Jerry, meanwhile, maintained, "Panoorin na lang po nila bago sila magsalita ng kahit ano. We're giving our best. Not only the actors, the crew, everyone."
In partnership with leading entertainment company CJ ENM, GMA-7 is producing the local adaptation of the series, which is about a group of young individuals eager to fulfill their dreams and start their own business.
Aside from Bea and Alden, the remake is headlined by Yasmien Kurdi and Jeric Gonzales.