Considering various factors, it is truly a struggle to find a friend you can always count on. Thus, having someone you truly consider a real friend in showbiz is quite rare yet rewarding. Just like Forevermore actress Erich Gonzales who have shared this kind of friendship and continue to strengthen it through the years.
Their friendship started in 2016 in the hit daytime teleserye Be My Lady, wherein Erich played the main role Pinang, while MJ served as her best friend Nurse Narciso or “Nars”. The cordial connection they had onscreen was amazingly sustained even behind the cameras.
As seen in this gallery, these two besties are certainly inseparable. From pictures at work to snaps of their awesome adventures during their free time, they make sure that they immortalize the moment by posing for a selfie. Not only do they both look good, but their smiles are also contagious. They indeed exude such good vibes when we see them together!
In a guesting they had on Magandang Buhay in 2021, he cooked her favorite adobong pusit while sharing stories about their friendship. MJ, who is also a music artist, admitted that he was initially scared upon seeing and working with Erich for the first time.
But that eventually eased up when the La Vida Lena lead star made the first move to break the ice and make him comfortable, as he reminisced, “[No’ng] Nakita ko siya sa photoshoot namin for Be My Lady, parang na-starstruck ako tapos kinabahan ako tapos siya ‘yong nag-effort talaga na parang ‘Hold me. We have to look like we’re really friends.’ Siya ‘yong nag-effort…” MJ mentioned.
Erich then expressed how she really treasures the companionship she has with MJ, saying, “Sabi ko sa kanya, hindi lang ako pang-taping friend, ha? Lifetime na ‘to.”
When asked what she thinks is the reason behind their solid friendship, the 31-year-old actress disclosed that it is because they are both optimists. She stated, “Gano’n din siya, instead of dwelling sa mga negative or hindi magagandang bagay, positive siya.”
The momshie-hosts then had them play “What’s In The Box Challenge”, wherein they would relate the box’s content to their friendship. Erich first got a mending heart emoji, which MJ said symbolized the many times he was there for Erich, especially during her most trying times. She then took out a toy tow truck from the box and he narrated how she helped him pay a hefty sum for a towing service when his car broke down in the middle of nowhere. Next was a shield, to which he related how a protective friend the actress is. Then a microphone that symbolizes their mutual love for karaoke and singing.
“Nasira ‘yong sasakyan ko. Nagbayad ako ng 30,000 na tow, sabi niya, ‘Sige go, go, I’ll give you money,” he recalled.
Indeed, Erich and MJ can be our ultimate friendship goals!