Pair under pressure

THE YOUNG stars say they are not in a hurry to fall in love.

The onscreen partnership of Elmo Magalona and Julie Anne San Jose is touted by drumbeaters as the loveteam-to-beat on GMA 7.

The Kapuso network is showering the pair with major breaks on the big and small screens: the weekly series “Together Forever” and the coming movie “Just One Summer.”

It can be daunting carrying a show like “Together” on his slim shoulders, but Elmo remains gung-ho. “I am too excited to worry,” he said. “In any case, this is a family-oriented show. It’s not just about Julie Anne and me. It’s a well-rounded show.”

In “Together” he plays a “complicated” teener who will experience all sorts of personal problems, while she plays his “boyish, nerdy” pal who turns out to be a secret admirer.

In “Just One Summer” they play sweethearts who discover the thrills and tribulations of young love. He’s a spoiled city kid; she’s the provincial lass who’s infatuated with him.

Julie Anne pointed out that there’s no need to be nervous about these huge projects because they are backed by an ensemble cast in “Together,” just like in the movie “Just One Summer.”

Julie Anne said she has learned a lot from the seasoned actors in their launching movie, directed by Mac Alejandre and produced by GMA Films.

The ropes of acting

“Elmo and I are very lucky that we get to work with veteran stars like Gloria Romero, Cherry Pie Picache, Alice Dixson and Joel Torre,” she said. “They really support us and help us learn the ropes of acting.”

On both the big and small screens, Elmo had to go through a roller-coaster ride of emotions.

He said: “We are growing up. Our roles are becoming more challenging. We get to experience a lot in our projects—happiness, sadness, heartbreak. Luckily, our costars are there to guide us every step of the way.”

Julie Anne has learned the difference between TV and movie acting from the veterans.

She explained: “You should have a different approach in movies. TV programs are seen on a smaller screen. On the big screen, every move, every emotion, can be seen more easily by viewers. I learned to go with the flow … to be more natural.”

Not pressured

Apart from work pressures, the young couple must also contend with fans’ insistent matchmaking.

Their loyal followers dream that their reel-life pairing will turn into a real-life romance.

“I don’t really feel pressured,” Elmo insisted. “Julie Anne and I are not in a hurry. We just enjoy our friendship.”

He admitted, however, that working closely has made their friendship bloom. “We’re now more comfortable with each other,” he explained. “We’re getting closer. We really don’t know what will happen in the future, though.”

Just friends

“We’re just friends,” Julie Anne remarked, almost pleading. “We don’t think about love. We’re happy that we get to work and hang out together.”

She added: “I am also thankful for the opportunities that are coming our way. We wouldn’t want to risk all these by falling in love.”

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