Young actress wants to make it sans a love team

JESSY Mendiola

Aspiring actress Jessy Mendiola would rather work with different actors than be typecast as Gerald Anderson’s screen partner.

“I want to be like Anne Curtis or Angel Locsin. You probably get more fan support if you’re in a love team, but I think people will appreciate you more if they know you can stand on your own,” Jessy told the Inquirer during her launch as endorser of Bubbatealicious Pearl Milk Tea.

Good relationship

Jessy plays Jackie Marasigan, childhood buddy and first girlfriend of Gerald’s character, Budoy Dizon, in the drama series about a man afflicted with a mental disorder called Angelman syndrome.

“Gerald and I have a good working relationship,” Jessy stressed. “We’re like John Lloyd (Cruz) and Bea (Alonzo), who are not together in real life but are convincing as a couple on screen.”

She denied rumors that Gerald was courting her and that they were spotted at the Glorietta Mall in Makati City. “I had never spent time with Gerald prior to our work in ‘Budoy.’ We’ve attended parties together, but always with other actors.”

Jessy insisted that they’re simply not attracted to each other. “Gerald is a good and trustworthy friend; I never had a crush on him and it wouldn’t be right to force it,” she said. But she admitted that Gerald gave her a Louis Vuitton pouch last Christmas. “He is warm towards all the ladies he works with, including Ms Janice (de Belen, who plays Gerald’s adoptive mother in the series).”

Jessy continued: “We share a lot of secrets, but there’s still a limit to what we know about each other. Before we started ‘Budoy,’ we had a workshop with Pen Medina. He sat us face to face and told us to share things about ourselves. Then he left the two of us in the room. Gerald talked first. By the time it was my turn, I was already comfortable with him.”

It’s tough portraying Jackie who falls in love with a man like Budoy, said Jessy. “I’m not sure I could ever feel that way. It’s a very challenging situation. You always have to be there for him, and extremely patient.”

Jessy said the show has taught her to be more appreciative of people with such a mental disability. “They’re very sweet and adorable. Their love is pure, genuine. They’re very loyal. They won’t lie to you or betray you, unlike most normal people.”

The 19-year-old actress said her mother gave her permission to date only recently. “This was when mom realized that I’ve become very independent and focused on my work. She said she trusted me to balance work and a romantic relationship. Still, I’d really rather go out with friends just now.”

Next series

After “Budoy,” Jessy is set to do another drama series. “I’m not allowed to talk about it yet,” she said. “All I can say is that it has a big cast and will air on prime time. And I won’t be working with Gerald.” She will also be in Star Cinema’s romantic flick, “The Reunion,” which features Enchong Dee, Enrique Gil, Xian Lim and Kean Cipriano.

“I will be the only girl in the barkada,” said Jessy. “My character is close to my real self—I’m actually boyish.”