Jeric Gonzales once considered quitting showbiz, but Alden Richards believed in him
Although he is one of this generation’s most promising actors — with a starring role on “Start-Up PH” at that — Jeric Gonzales actually thought about quitting showbiz at one point.
When his series “Magkaagaw” ended and he did not have any projects, Jeric revealed that he got depressed.
“After ‘Magkaagaw,’ wala talaga eh, parang I was about to quit, parang siguro sabi ko tutuloy ko nalang ang nursing [career]," he said in an interview on 'Updated With Nelson Canlas.' “Ang dami ko rin pinagdaanan tapos parang until now I am finding my career. May part na, ‘Para dito ba talaga ako?’”
“Medyo na-depress na naman ako kasi wala [nang acting projects]. Sabi ko, ano na mangyayari sa akin, ano na ang next. Tapos ano, guesting guesting lang, ganun?” he added.
However, a great opportunity came when he got shortlisted for “Start-Up PH” and later got cast as Davidson “Dave” Navarro.
Jeric called this project his “biggest break,” and a “dream.”
Later on, he learned that his co-star and friend Alden Richards was actually one of the people who recommended him for the role because of his passion and skills.
“Noong sabi nga sa akin na makakasama ako dito, parang ‘Totoo ba? Talaga ba?’ Tapos ‘yung makakasama si Bea, parang nagkaroon ulit ako ng hope. Parang ganun, pwede pa, baka pwede pa [ituloy ang showbiz]. So ayon, narinig ko na parang si Alden, isa siya sa nag [recommend] sa akin dito," he said.
“I owe this to him, this project. Na sa dami ng artista, naniwala siya sa akin, so parang nagkaroon talaga ako ng hope. As in I’m so thankful to Alden, isa siya sa naniwala sa akin na [noong] mga times na [mahirap.] Isa siya sa naniwala sa akin and then ngayon noong nakasama ko na siya, nag-wo-work kami, naramdaman ko lahat ng support," he added.
Jeric said he is always grateful for Alden’s kindness as well as his belief in him.
“Alam mo 'yun, gusto niya ako mag-succeed din, nakita ko sa kanya ‘yun, hindi siya madamot na tao," he said.
“Kaya siya super blessed na tao kasi deserve niya yun kasi super bait niya and giver talaga siya. Ang dami kong nakita sa kaniyang qualities na na-inspire ako, yung professionalism niya, yung the way na i-treat niya lahat ng tao,” he added.
Getting emotional, Jeric made sure to thank Alden on the podcast.
“Alden, thank you so much kasi ikaw ‘yung nagbigay sa akin ng hope. Isa ka sa naging dahilan kung bakit itinuloy ko ang career ko dito sa showbiz, isa ka sa nagbukas ulit ng pintuan sa akin—na mas galingan ko pa, mas ipakita ko pa ‘yung talent ko, na may naniniwala pa pala sa akin na katulad mo, na kaya ko ito, na magaling ako,” he said.
“And dahil doon, hindi ko sasayangin lahat ng tiwala na ibinigay mo sa akin. Gagalingan ko, itutuloy ko ang mga pangarap ko, and one day sana kapag naging successful ako, sasabihin ko sayo na maraming maraming salamat. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit ko naabot ito," he added.
Jeric also admitted, “Dito lang ako umiyak. Hindi ako umiiyak sa interview.”
“Start-Up PH” airs weeknights on GMA Network. —JCB, GMA News