Stars align for Gil Cuerva
Stars align for
It’s been two months since model-turned-actor Gil Cuerva hit big time, making his acting debut as leading man to Jennylyn Mercado on GMA’s now very popular remake of the Koreanovela “My Love From The Stars.”
It’s been two months since modelturned-actor Gil Cuerva hit the big time, making his acting debut as leading man to Jennylyn Mercado on GMA’s now very popular remake of the Koreanovela “My Love From The Stars.”
In an interview, Gil admitted he still can’t believe his luck.
“Hindi ko akalain na ako ’yung pipiliin nila kasi wala naman akong experience eh. Gusto ko lang na makilala ako ng mga producers sa GMA, ng mga handlers, ma-expose lang ako ng kaunti at makilala
din si Direk Joyce (Bernal, show director) personally but yeah, here I am.”
Gil landed the break via an audition in September 2016, fresh from a modeling stint in Hong Kong.
“I don’t think it could get any better for a new actor. I’ve talked to a lot of accomplished actors. For example, si Piolo Pascual, he was always telling me na nag-start siya sa baba talaga. He went to the US and came back for one last chance. Whereas ako, someone
who had no expectations, who just tried his luck, I landed not just a role but a lead role, and on primetime television at that, kasama pa ang isang sikat at magaling na artista na katulad ni Jennylyn,” he said. The 21-year-old, who was born to Spanish-Filipino parents, admitted having difficulties in acting. “Bago pa ang pag-arte sa akin so may times talaga na awkward ako. Ang dami kong mali pa. Even to this day na kahit nag-wo-workshop na ako, nagkakamali pa din ako, nagstruggle pa rin ako talaga.” And now? “I think from level 0, naging level 1.5 na ako. In general, nag-improve ako ng kaunti,” he said. “I think it’s a testament to my acting coach, just being able to listen to him. I’m trying to be good so I listen to everything that he says.”
While Gil still gets mixed reactions over his acting, he focuses on constructive criticism. GIL CUERVA
“There’s a difference between listening and hearing. Ako kasi I hear everything but I choose to listen to what I think is essential to me,” he said.
Gil only has good words for Jennylyn, who plays the quirky Steffi Chavez on the show. He shared that Jennylyn has been supportive of his growth as actor. “Naturally, lumalabas ’yung chemistry given na magaling siyang
artista, but it’s also about who she is as a person. Allowing me to be myself, what else can I ask for?”
The newbie actor hopes to work with the likes of Dingdong Dantes and Robin Padilla in the future.
“I want to learn from them. How to be a leading man, how to be a great actor and be successful, I want to work with people who I can learn so much from,” he said.
Does Gil see himself staying in showbiz for some time?
“I believe in reinvention. Once I feel satisfied with the level of success I attained dito sa industry that’s when I walk away and start a new life,” he said.