Alden Richards and other 'Start-Up PH' cast members get candid about working with Bea Alonzo for the first time
It's a proud moment for Bea Alonzo as her first big show in her new network is finally drawing near, and her co-stars are beyond happy to work alongside the former Kapamilya actress.
Bea is set to star in the Philippine adaptation of the breakthrough Korean drama series Start-Up with a star-studded cast consisting of Alden Richards, Jeric Gonzales, Yasmien Kurdi, Gina Alajar, and Gabby Eigenmann. The six-minute trailer for the show was released on Friday, Sept. 16—and fans of the original 2020 series could not help but gush with excitement over the local version.
In a media conference held on Saturday, Sept. 17, Alden said that he understands how some fans are protective of the original show because of how much they love the story and promised them that their local adaptation is something to look forward to.
At the media conference, Alden opened up about wanting to work with the acclaimed actress for so long. "Nung first time namin nagwork ni Bea, sa isang endorsement abroad, doon kami unang nagkita. Nasa kabila pa siya noon, and I was really looking forward na sana one day, magkaroon kami ng project together, and ito na nga," Alden said.
The 30-year-old actor underscored how working with Bea has encouraged him to be a better actor.
"'Yung mga nakita ko kay Bea dito sa Start-Up, she puts good pressure on me and on us actually. Kasi never akong nagkaroon ng eksena with Bea na hindi niya memorize yung linya niya," Alden said.
"Parang hindi ako pwedeng [papetiks-petiks]. 'Yung style ko before na chill-chill lang, parang mas dinagdagan ko nang kaunti kasi mahirap na itong taong ito pinapakitaan ka ng effort at binibigay 'yung 100% niya every day and yet hindi mo gagawin 'yung trabaho mo nang tama, so it's a good pressure on us," he added.
Reacting to what Alden said about her, Bea shared how happy and thankful she was to hear his thoughts about her work ethic.
Now that she's with a different network and is essentially "starting up" again, the 34-year-old actress said that it may have been challenging so far, but she's simply enjoying what life brings her.
"Noon, ang dami mong gustong patunayan, and I was in my teenage years so mas takot ka pa sa sasabihin ng ibang tao tungkol sa'yo. Now that I am in my 30s, I care less about that and more about what's going to make me happy," Bea said.
Meanwhile, Yasmien shared how happy she was to get a chance to work with the former Kapamilya star for the first time. She also recalled how people often pointed out their similar facial features. Yasmien plays Bea's long-lost sister in the show.
"Lagi kasi nilang sinasabi na magkamukha daw kami ni Bea even noong nasa ABS-CBN siya. [H]indi ko naisip na one day magkakatrabaho kami dahil we were in two different worlds, so ito na 'yung time na hinihingi ng mga fans na sana maging magkapatid kami in a show and happy ako doon sa part na 'yun," Yasmien said.
For his part, Gabby said that he was ecstatic to work with Bea since he was a fan of her then loveteam with John Lloyd Cruz.
"Naimagine ko na sana makawork ko din si Bea. [Iniisip ko] kailan kaya natin makakatrabaho ang mga nasa kabilang istasyon unless tatawid ako or sila 'yung tatawid? So we have to welcome them, sa mga lumilipat, we have to make them feel at home," Gabby said. "Pinaramdam ko kay Bea 'yun."
Start-Up PH is set to premiere on Sept. 26. Similar to its source material, the show will revolve around aspiring entrepreneurs in the world of startup companies.
