Matteo Guidicelli
What we have is real. We want to preserve and protect that,” said actor Matteo Guidicelli on why he and girlfriend Sarah Geronimo have turned down numerous offers to work together.
“When I’m out with people, they always ask how Sarah is doing. I’m surprised that some of them even think the two of us are part of a love team—we’re not. We don’t work together, because the moment we do, we’re sure things will only get messed up,” Matteo told reporters on Wednesday at a luncheon to announce his concert, “Hey Matteo,” at the Kia Theater on Nov. 30.
“What hurts me the most is when people say I’m using her to advance my career,” he pointed out.
Matteo said this was how they successfully avoided jealousy at work. Sarah has just appeared in “Finally Found Someone,” her most recent project with John Lloyd Cruz.
While promoting their film, the two stars admitted to a once-budding romance that ended abruptly.
“Sarah and I keep our work and relationship separate. This setup makes everything easier. Of course, it also helps that we’re honest to each other,” said Matteo, implying that Sarah had already confided in him certain things about her past relationships.
“Second, we’re patient with each other. Because of work, we sometimes don’t get to see each other for a week or two, but when we do, we make the most out of it,” Matteo declared.
Punk rock album
Star Music will soon release Matteo’s nine-track all-original punk rock album, with “Hey” as carrier single.
He collaborated with five songwriters to come up with tunes “that tell true stories, that recall different episodes in my life,” he said.
Matteo added that “Hey” is about “a boy courting a girl whose parents don’t think he is worthy of her.”
Other songs in the album include “Other Half,” “Take a Chance,” “Huwag Ka Nang Umuwi,” “Tahanan” and “Changes.”
According to Matteo, Sarah has listened to the songs and given her two cents’ worth. “We’ve already collaborated in that sense. That’s what partners are for. We help each other become better at what we do, and we let each other grow,” he beamed.
Still, Matteo said he wasn’t sure if Sarah would watch his concert, which has Louie Ocampo and Rowell Santiago as musical and stage directors, respectively. So far, rapper Loonie and songstress Morissette Amon have agreed to perform with Matteo.
“Hey Matteo” is produced by Big Bang Productions, the same company behind his successful 10th anniversary concert, “#MatteoMadeInCebu,” in 2016.
“I told my producers that I want the show to have a ’90s-band feel to it. It’ll have a lot of organic instruments. It’s my kind of music,” Matteo said, adding that he would be performing 16 songs, mostly from his new album.
“I just want to tell my story and share with people my kind of music,” he said. “My dream is to hold a show at an intimate place, and just communicate with people through my songs.”