Gabby Eigenmann: 'They love to hate me.'

Actor and singer Gabby Eigenmann shares his most memorable moments while doing the remake of Endless Love and his new project Tween Hearts. Text by Ayessa De La Pena. Photo by Connie M. Tungul. Sa thanksgiving party ng cast and crew ng Endless Love, Gabby Eigenmann relates his happy memories while working on the Philippine TV adaptation of the hit Korean drama. “Sometimes it’s tiring. Syempre I pour my heart out. Every character that’s given to me, every role that I play,” kuwento ni Gabby, “They love to hate me. Natuwa naman ako kasi naging effective ako sa kanila.” Dagdag pa niya, “Honestly, I didn’t watch the original Koreanovela of Endless Love. Ayokong maka-pick up ng characterization ng Jojo talaga. I did that on my own. Mukhang kinagat naman, so na-touch naman ako.” Ngunit kahit maraming papuring natanggap si Gabby sa pagganap niya sa character ni Jojo, medyo nalungkot rin ang aktor dahil sa mga taong nainis sa kanya dahil sa character na ginampanan niya. “Sad in other ways, kasi syempre trabaho lang. Sometimes people don’t really understand it. The way I treated Marian [Rivera] sa soap, maraming nagalit. That goes to show nga daw na it was really effective. I won’t reiterate. Syempre gusto ko rin na mahalin rin nila ako. But in real life, as much as possible, what you see onscreen is opposite of what you see in person.” Kinainisan man siya, Gabby is still happy dahil sa naging successful ang kanilang show kahit na masyado ng late ang time slot nito. “We’re ecstatic kasi in spite of the time slot na na-move hanggang third or fourth slot. Halos iyong iba mga natutulog na, happy kami kasi in spite of that people are still very supportive of our soap,” masayang sabi niya, “Kahit na pumapasok iyong mga anak ng mga magulang, nasusubaybayan pa rin. Happy, ecstatic. It’s hard to explain kasi we worked so hard para pagandahin ang istorya, para gawing medyo malapit sa original. So far, thankful [ako].” Dahil mabigat na ang mga eksena during the last week ng Endless Love, hindi na rin namin pinalampas ang pagkakataong tanungin ang aktor kung alin sa mga scenes dito ang kanyang favorite. “Actually favorite scene [ko], when I actually saw Jenny having a hard time, doon lumambot iyong puso ko and I cried. Mabigat iyon, kahit nag-cut si Direk, um-exit ako sa eksena tapos noong nag-cut, pumasok ako ulit tapos I hugged Janice [de Belen] and Marian,” Gabby recalls, “Sabi ko thanks for also supporting. Kasi mabigat, e. Mabigat iyong eksena. Iyon ang isa sa mga paborito ko. Kasi sabi ko nga, minsan kasi nata-typecast ako as villain at lagi akong kontrabida, pero pag sinasabi nilang iiyak ka dito, I’m excited. Frustration ko maging dramatic actor. Eto binigay ko talaga lahat. Ito iyong unforgettable scene para sa akin.” After Endless Love, busy naman ngayon si Gabby sa bago niyang show na Reel Love presents Tween Hearts wherein he plays the role of a strict camp facilitator kasama ang mga tween stars ng Kapuso Network. “Tween Hearts [ang project ko], bago pa matapos itong Endless Love. I’m thankful kasi at least, from a villain to a strict camp facilitator [ang role ko]. Iyong kasama ko mga bata, so nagpapabata ako. Sa next soap, I’ve no idea yet,” natutuwang pahayag niya. Kumusta naman kayang katrabaho ang mga tween stars? “Sarap! Enjoy. Buti na lang wala pang tumatawag sa aking tito. Thank God they call me kuya,” pahayag niya, “Okay naman kasi there’s this one scene they did noong nag-taping kami a few weeks ago. Ang ganda-ganda noong pagka-deliver ng mga bata. After the scene, we rushed to the location. Talagang we were praising them which I hardly do. It doesn’t matter if I do or not. Parang andoon iyong satisfaction na I’ve been working with the next generation. They’re progressing really fast. Ang galing. The way they treat me, andoon iyong respeto. Ako naman, I give them the respect back as long as they do a good job.” Panoorin si Gabby Eigenmann sa Reel Love presents Tween Hearts tuwing Linggo, after Party Pilipinas. Pag-usapan si Gabby sa mas pinagandang iGMA.tv Forum! Not yet a member? Register here! Get more updates from Gabby through his Fanatxt service! Just type GABBY (space) ON and send to 4627 for all networks. For MMS wallpaper, just type GOMMS (space) GABBY (space) ON and send to 4627. Telco charges apply. This service is only available in the Philippines.