Jerome Ponce is aware of the mixed reactions on social media after he was officially cast as Juanito Alfonso in the upcoming Viva One series, ''I Love You Since 1982."

During the grand media conference held at Viva Cafe on Aug. 19, Jerome shared his thoughts about it.

"Well, let’s be honest. Maraming nagulat. Nagulat na in a way na, 'Bakit ganito? Bakit ganyan? Pero wala naman kaming magagawa kundi gawin ang trabaho namin," Jerome said.

(Let’s be honest—many people were surprised, asking, ‘Why this? Why that?’ But at the end of the day, all we can do is focus on doing our job)

Jerome admitted he felt sad reading some of the harsh comments as directed towards him.

"May mga tao tayo na hindi umaayon at hindi naaayon sa ibinibigay sa ating trabaho, pero sa huli ay kailangan nating gampanan yung ibinigay sa ating trabaho. Ako medyo… nakakalungkot kasi siyempre, eto na naman. Si Jerome na naman na hindi na naman napunta sa imagination ng mga tao, ng readers," Jerome added.

(There will always be people who disagree or resist what’s assigned to us in our work, but at the end of the day, we have a job to fulfill. It’s a bit disheartening, because once again, here I am—Jerome—still not fitting into the audience’s or the readers’ imagination.)

Despite all the negative comments, the actor is keeping his spirits up, believing the project another  opportunity for him to do better as an actor.

"Nandoon ako sa point na baka siguro it’s an opportunity for me na mapu-prove ko na kaya ko. Puwede ko gawin yung role na hindi para sa akin. Pero I’m really open at kinakabahan sa magiging cravings sa akin na ite-take ko rin as learnings at stepping stone din sa akin, sa career ko," Jerome said.

(I'm at a point where I see this as an opportunity to prove that I can do it—that I can take on a role that might not seem like it’s meant for me. I'm open, though admittedly nervous, about the challenges that will come my way. Still, I’ll embrace them as learning experiences and stepping stones in my career.)

Co-star Heaven Peralejo on her part shared how she is now even more inclined to show her best given the criticism. 

"Mahal ko yung trabaho ko and I shouldn’t be contained with one character na ang ganda-ganda ng istorya.At alam ko sa sarili ko na ibinibigay ko yung one hundred percent so bakit ako nagkakaroon ng alinlangan?," Heaven said.

(I love my job, and I don’t believe I should be confined to just one character, given how beautiful the story is. I know I give a hundred percent every time—so why should I doubt myself?)

The actress also stated that she won’t be swayed by negative comments, putting her full trust in her co-actors and director.

"Unang-una, ako yung nagtitiwala sa sarili ko and, of course, nagtitiwala ako sa mga kasamahan ko, sa direktor ko. Alam naming lahat na ibinibigay namin yung one hundred percent namin para sa proyekto na ito," Heaven added.

(Above all, I trust myself—and of course, I trust my colleagues and our director. We all know we’re giving this project our absolute best.)

In the upcoming series, Jerome's Juanito, the son of a powerful gobernadorcillo, is expected to be a doctor, although his interest is in painting. But things begin to shift when he meets Carmelita (Heaven).

Heaven portrays the role of Carmela/Carmelita, who is sent to travel back in time, where she has one mission: to stop Carmelita’s wedding to Juanito and save the latter’s life.

Also starring Joseph Marco as Leandro Flores, “I Love You Since 1892” also boasts a solid supporting cast.

Completing the Montecarlos Family are Christian Vasquez as Don Alejandro, Carmelita’s father; Maricel Morales as Donya Soledad, Carmelita’s mother; Louise Delos Reyes as Maria, and Anna Luna as Josefina, Carmelita’s sisters.

The Alfonso Family is composed of Soliman Cruz as Don Mariano, Juanito’s father; Andrea Del Rosario as Donya Juanita, mother; Billy Jake Cortez as Heneral Sergio; Ashley Diaz as Sonya; and Gabriel Evangelista as Angelito, Juanito’s siblings.

The Flores Family is composed of Christopher Roxas as Kapitan Vicente, Leandro’s father; Christine Bermas as Natasha, and Liz Gonzales as Helena, his siblings. Leandro’s mother is already deceased.

Suzette Ranillo plays Madre Olivia, a mysterious nun who serves as Carmela's guide in the past.

Directed by McArthur C. Alejandre, the series will premiere on Sept. 6, on Viva One.