Anthony Jennings denies ‘sapawan’ with DonBelle in ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’

(From left) Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal, Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Instagram/@mariestellar, Niko Gonzales via Instagram/@donny

Anthony Jennings shrugged off issues labeling him as a scene stealer in the TV series “Can’t Buy Me Love” headlined by Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, whose love team “DonBelle” is being pitted against that of his onscreen partnership with Maris Racal.

Jennings and Racal — who star as Snoop and Irene in the show — are making waves in the show for their chemistry.

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Despite this, the rising star said in an ambush interview that he would rather focus on his craft than pay attention to people who compare the SnoRene pairing to DonBelle.

“Hindi ko naman binabasa lahat [ng comments]. Para sa’kin kasi, focus ka sa craft at ginagawa mo. May mga naririnig ako at nagsabi sa’kin ng ganun [pero] para sa’kin, sinasabi ko kina [Donny at Belle] na huwag niyong pansinin ‘yun,” he said.

(I don’t read all of the comments. I would rather focus on my craft and what I do. I heard some of them, and others would tell me that. But for me, I tell Donny and Belle not to pay attention to them.)

Jennings also pointed out that there’s no such thing as “sapawan” as he and DonBelle are good friends behind the scenes.

“Magkakaibigan lang tayo dito at wala namang [sapawan] sa amin. ‘Yung casuals, sila ang nagsasabi n’un. Pero kami, mahal namin ang isa’t isa,” he said. “Kailangan niyong magtulungan. Ang isang project, hindi pwedeng isa lang ang gumagawa… Paano niyo mabubuo ang story nang kayo lang? Kailangan niyo ng connection sa isa’t isa.”

(We’re all friends here and we’re not trying to outshine each other. Casuals are the only ones who would say that. But for us, we love each other. We have to help each other. One can’t just move alone in a project. How can you make the story work if you’re on your own? You need to connect.)

‘Natural lang’

Jennings admitted that his chemistry with Racal came naturally and he’s thankful for people who respect their personal lives apart from their characters onscreen.

“Sobrang happy kasi hindi ko ine-expect na magbo-boom. Ako naman, iniinternalize ko ‘yung character na ako si [Snoop],” he said. “Si Maris, matagal na siyang nasa industriya and ako naman, kung sino talaga ako, ‘yan ang pinapakita ko sa mga tao. In a relationship siya with Rico Blanco so nirerespect talaga namin ‘yung isa’t isa.”

(I’m so happy because I didn’t expect that it would boom that way. I just internalized my character as Snoop. Maris has been in the industry for so long and I want to show who I am to people. Maris is also in a relationship with Rico Blanco as well so we respect each other.)

When asked by INQUIRER.net if his pairing with Racal signals a new era for love team culture in the country, he pointed out that it worked for them because their “natural chemistry” was a huge factor. However, he noted that it depends on the actors themselves.

“Nagwowork siya and alam ng mga tao ang realidad. Thankful ako na tinatanggap siya at minamahal nila ang character namin. Actually, mas nakakakilig nga na natural lang,” he said. “Nakadepende kasi talaga kung anong nagwo-work sa inyo. ‘Yung sa’min kasi, nagfe-feed kami sa characters namin at sa personality naming dalawa.”

(It works for us and people know the reality. I’m thankful that our pairing is accepted and our characters are loved. Actually, it’s better if things work naturally. But it depends on what would work best for you. For us, we feed off our characters and personalities.)

For his part, Jennings said not being caged in a love team gives him the freedom to work with anyone and to not “put a wall” between him and his costars.

“Mas nagwo-work kung totoo ka, ‘yung hindi ka naglalagay ng wall, parang ang saya sa amin, may freedom kami kung ano gagawin namin and nagwo-work siya e, hindi mabigat sa amin,” he said.

(It works because you’re true to yourself. You’re not adding a wall between you and your co-star. It makes me happy that we have the freedom to do what we want and it works. We’re not harboring any heavy feelings between us.)

“Can’t Buy Me Love” also stars Kaila Estrada, Nova Villa, Rowell Santiago, Agot Isidro, Ina Raymundo, Ruffa Gutierrez, Albie Casiño, Joao Constancia, and Darren Espanto.

The romantic drama is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, Cathy Garcia-Sampana, Petersen Vargas, Ian Loreños, Henry King Quitain, and Raymund Ocampo.