Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson together again

GERALD Anderson (left) and Bea Alonzo

Balancing love and career is a tricky thing. We must love our work, and work on on our love life as well. That is the central point of Star Cinema’s latest movie, “How to Be Yours” topbilled by Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson (opens today). They had a thwarted romance in 2010. As the cliché goes, it was the right love at the wrong time. Since they are former sweethearts, there is nothing contrived about their onscreen chemistry. Both single now, perhaps the more appropriate title for their movie is “How Soon Can I Be Yours.”

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Bea.

If a suitor asks you what it would take for you to be his, what would you tell him?

Just be yourself. No pretensions.

What do you remember most about your short-lived romance with Gerald?

It was fun. I was carefree, stupid and in love.

Would you rather be single or in a relationship?

Right now, I’d rather be single. But soon, I do want to be in a relationship again.

How do you handle the temporary nature of fame?

I do not let fame drastically change my lifestyle.

If you were to shoot your last movie, who would you want to be paired with?

Since my first screen partner was John Lloyd (Cruz), it would be nice to also have him as my last leading man.

* * *

Here’s my chat with Gerald:

What things do you love and hate about being a bachelor?

I love how I can just focus on myself and not think about what a girlfriend needs. I hate the occasional lonely nights.

What did you learn from your short-lived romance with Bea?

It taught me that commitment is a must in a relationship.

What’s a misconception about you that you want to correct?

I refuse to dwell on the negative things that some people picture me to be. I just want to stay real.

What do you miss most about your GenSan days, when you weren’t famous yet?

Roaming around in slippers, hanging out at the sari-sari store with my friends, even if we were sweaty from playing basketball all day, chatting till the wee hours of the morning, playing basketball every day.

What is your advice to the current “Pinoy Big Brother” housemates?

Be yourself. Savor every minute of that once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What are your do’s and dont’s when you have a GF?

We should inspire each other. She should lift me up and not wear me down. She must be super understanding because of the nature of my job. She should not be controlling.

‘Chef Next Door’

Chef Jonas Ng returns on Lifestyle in “Chef Next Door Season 2” (Wed at 9:30 p.m.; Thurs, 1 a.m.; Sat, 6 p.m.; Sun, 10 a.m.; Mon, 3:30 p.m.; and Tues, 12 mn.).