ERICH GONZALES

Erich Gonzales looks back at her 2014 Making MEGA shoot in South Africa with a sense of gratitude. Alongside Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Barretto, the iconic shoot featured the stars in chic earth tones and animal prints against the breathtaking scenery. “Making MEGA in South Africa was one of the most thrilling experiences in my career. It helped me strive for more to really achieve my goals,” she says. She has come a long way since then, starring in various primetime television shows and films. “It was in 2014, so a lot has changed since then. I learned that in every journey you go through, whether in your career or personal life, it is important to find out who you really are and what you stand for.”

Gonzales was previously known to be one of the industry’s biggest sweethearts, constantly captivating her audience with her acting skills and kind nature. Over the years, the star has slowly grown outside of her shell, saying that she has become bolder with her choices.

“I’m at this point in my life where I’m very careful when it comes to choosing my projects,” she relates. “I’m not getting any younger, so I feel it’s time for me to do more mature and adventurous roles. Kahit stories that are out of the box.” It seems as if her period of self-discovery is worth it, as the beauty is more herself than ever.

When asked if she has any more goals in terms of her career, Gonzales’ answer was simple. “My ultimate goal is longevity in the business,” she says with her signature smile. She continues to share that she doesn’t want to just be known as just an artista, but as someone hardworking, in the hopes of inspiring her audience to do the same, no matter what their career path is. “Ever since, I wasn’t after the fame,” she reveals. “I mean, it’s a plus that you earn and that people recognize you. But what I really love to do is act—to be able to portray different roles para ma-experience yung buhay ng character na ito and give life to that.”

If there is one thing Gonzales believes in, it is to constantly improve on one’s self. “The dream is free, so just dream,” she starts. “But it is up to you whether or not you want to work hard to achieve your goals.”—MR

“I’M AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I’M VERY CAREFUL WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING MY PROJECTS. I’M NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER SO I FEEL IT’S TIME FOR ME TO DO MORE MATURE AND ADVENTUROUS ” ROLES

J ulia Barretto started fairly young in the industry, rising to fame with ABS-CBN’s Kokey in 2007. With a beautiful face and a famous last name, it was only expected that she follow in the same footsteps. But after years of hard work, she has proven her natural capabilities as an actress.

“I guess being chosen to be a part of Making MEGA in South Africa alongside really successful women says something,” she says, reminscing about her 2014 shoot with Erich Gonzales, Maja Salvador and Kathryn Bernardo, which she says was a highlight in her career. “I was so flattered. In an industry where people are always trying to put you down or say something about you, the experience helped me boost my belief in myself.”

The star continues to share her insight since then, saying that she had learned to focus on herself and her own goals, and not on the timeline of other celebrities her age. “You should simply work hard. You will never achieve anything from comparing your pace to that of others, because timing is different for everyone.”

Barretto is a dreamer, and she learned not to let anything get in the way of that. “It took me a while to be able to achieve a couple of goals when I was starting out,” she starts. “But the more you achieve the goals you set for yourself, the longer your list gets because these are dreams you never thought you would reach. It means you can do more.”

When asked about the other goals she has set for herself career-wise, she shares that she simply wants to continue pushing herself as an actress. “I really love making films. It’s so powerful to be able to touch the lives of other people by sending a message out there through the characters you play.”

Her 2017 film Love You to the Stars and Back, which co-stars her on- and off-screen love Joshua Garcia and centers on a young couple in love but stricken with the tragedy that is cancer, is another recent achievement that she is proud of. “It was a risk because it tackled a lot of issues, but at the same time, people embraced the message of the film. It made me realize the power of the platform that is film. I want to continue doing that,” she tells us with bright eyes. With her sheer determination and effortless talent in front of the camera, one can tell that Barretto was made for this.—MR

“YOU SHOULD SIMPLY WORK HARD. YOU WILL NEVER ACHIEVE ANYTHING FROM COMPARING YOUR PACE TO THAT OF OTHERS BECAUSE TIMING IS DIFFEREN T ” FOR EVERYONE