The acting industry may be unpredictable but judging on talent, right attitude, and gorgeous faces to boot, The Gold Squad is headed for mega success, larger than what they have at the moment. That’s according to their Huwag Kang Mangamba co-stars and acting titans Sylvia Sanchez, Nonie Buencamino, and Eula Valdes themselves.
Huwag Kang Mangamba, the ensemble cast drama that inspired everyone to be spiritually strong in these trying times, will have its last episode on Friday, November 12. After eight months on the air, the cast stepped out of their taping bubble with lessons, precious memories, and a newfound family to keep.
Sylvia, Nonie, and Eula laughed while looking back on the gastronomic activities that cemented their friendship. Other cast members previously asked by Kapamilya Chat shared that Sylvia and Nonie were quite the kitchen tandem, she as the supplier of ingredients and he as the chef. Nonie loves to cook with flair, so extra that he can transform as basic as sinigang into something more.
It’s the bond they will miss the most. They were together for almost a year in a bubble and that was more than enough time for them to get to know each other deeper. So when asked to describe the show’s main stars – Andrea Brillantes, Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, and Seth Fedelin – the veterans had a ton of stories to share, good words basically.
Francine, having the most scenes with Eula among the four, was lauded for her thirst for learning. Eula called her “matanong,” which is actually a compliment. Because in showbiz, ardor is power but complacency can be deadly. Besides, veterans appreciate when their opinions matter.
Sylvia recalled Francine asking for help in a crying scene. Some may look at it as a hint of weakness but for the more experienced ones like Sylvia, it’s actually a sign of humility. “Napaka-importante sa isang artista ang humingi ka ng tulong. Ibig sabihin hindi ka mayabang, the more na matututo ka. Bilib ako sa batang ‘yan!”
Seconded Nonie, “She always wants to do her best. She’s very driven in her career and craft. Seryoso siya sa pagpapahusay ng sarili niya bilang aktres.” One specific quality he likes about Francine is her clear delivery of lines.
On Andrea Brillantes, the focus was on her depth of acting and stunning face. Eula described, “Ang sarap niya panoorin ‘pag umaarte siya. Malalim na bata. Ang swerte niya kasi ang ganda niya sa personal at ang ganda niya sa screen.”
At 18, Andrea already has the skills of a virtuoso. Nonie said, “She’s a good actress for her age siguro kasi bata pa lang siya nagsimula. Napakasinop niya as a performer. Hindi siya natitinag sa mga eksena. Hindi siya nadidiskaril. She’s a real pro.”
Sylvia had the same observations about Francine and Andrea. They’re both willing to listen and ask for help. They both know how to balance their dreams in and out of showbiz.
While they had limited scenes with Seth (he’s with Dominic Ochoa and Matet de Leon for the most part), they will remember him for his big love for his family. He’s the most street-smart in the bunch.
He is also eager to improve. Near the end of lock-in, he asked Sylvia, “Tita, ano po ‘yung napapansin n’yo sa akin na pwede kong baguhin?” To think that he’s one of the show’s main stars, Sylvia was really surprised, and impressed.
His handsome face and mannerisms, Sylvia said, are reminiscent of Rudy Fernandez. Fun fact: She called Lorna Tolentino, telling her to look at Seth, who was then a guest star in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, and see his resemblance with Rudy. Lorna’s reaction was, “Meron nga!”
The three veterans had the same opinion of Kyle – he is everyone’s darling. He gets along with the young and old, artists and crew, everyone. Eula revealed, “Kapag meron kang gustong malaman, tanungin mo si Kyle. alam niya lahat ng nangyari. Ang galing ng memorya ng batang ‘yan.” She added that Kyle is well mannered, “Masunurin! Well-off silang pamilya pero walang angal. Mauutusan mo siya. Walang ere. Napakalambing!”
Nonie backed it up, “He’s very observant. ‘Pag may tanong ka, may masasagot siya. ‘Yung mga nangyari sa production, masasagot niya.” They giggled. He continued, “Maalalay siya. ‘Can I help you with your chair?’ The fact that he offers to do that, he’s very easy to be with. Ang dali niyang pagsabihan. ‘Can you say your lines faster?’ And he’s like, ‘Okay, I’ll do it, Tito.’ Ganun lang siya. Easy guy.”
Nonie said Kyle is the biggest fan of his cooking, very generous with compliments. “Sa unang tikim pa lang niya ng pagkain na pinaghanda ko sa kanya, sasabihin niya, ‘It’s so good, Tito!’ Masaya na ako.”
Kyle is such a sweet soul, always caring and respectful. Sylvia shared, “Kapag may kailangan ako, siya ‘yung kukuha. Ang talinong bata! Kahit anong pag-usapan, kaya niya. Kahit saan mo siya ilagay, alam niya.”
He gives the warmest hugs and most random ‘I love you’. “Lalapit ‘yan, yayakap at hihilig sa akin. ‘I love you, Tita!’ Yayakap o hahalik sa ulo ko. Kahit pawisan ako, wala siyang pakialam. Miss ko ‘yung mga anak ko pero isa si Kyle sa mga dahilan kung bakit parang may anak ako doon. Sobrang lambing ni Kyle.”
Sylvia, Nonie, and Eula are grateful to have worked with a bunch of promising and pleasant young stars. And they definitely look forward to seeing their career grow, predicting so many good things about The Gold Squad. That is, if they remain full of curiosity. The perpetual appetite for learning is an essential ingredient for longevity and success in showbiz.
Don’t miss the remaining episodes of Huwag Kang Mangamba The Healing Finale on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.
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