Friends or Lovers?
By ERIC JOHN SALUT
S-mag, nov 2001

The stars of the toprating “Pangako Se ‘Ye” try their very best to go against the I cliché “We’re just friends” by admitting, once and for ill, their true relationship. 

THE loveteam of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa is considered as the country’s most romantic pair in Philippine television nowadays. The widely followed ABS-CBN teleserye Pangako Sa Yo is the best proof of their huge following. Barely eight months since its first airing, the show has already gained 50% viewership, a feat for any local program.

Parehong produkto ng Star Circle Batch 4 (kasabay sina Vanessa del Bianco, Carol Banawa, Nikki Valdez, .Julia Clarete, Dominic Ochoa, at iba pa), hindi naging madali para kina Jericho at Kristine na marating ang kanilang kinaroroonan ngayon. Dumaan sila sa hirap at dusa na tipikal sa pinagdadaanan ng sinumang nagsisimula.

Nagtuluy-tuloy ang suwerte nina Jericho at Kristine. Nabigyan sila ng kani-kanilang programa sa telebisyon. Nariyan ang Esperanza, Oka Tokat at Munting Paraiso. Kinilala ang kahusayan ni Jericho bilang aktor at patunay nito ang tatlong magkakasunod na pagkilala sa kanya bilang Best Drama Actor ng Star Awards for Television na taunang ipinamamahagi ng Philippine Movie Press
Club. Si Kristine narnan ay agad na naging hida sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako na isa sa pinakamatagumpay na dulang pantelebisyon ng ABS-CBN.

Hanggang sa pagsamahin sila sa Pangako Sa ‘Yo, ang kauna-unahang teleserye sa bansa. Naging bukambibig ito ng marami at ngayon nga ay sila na ang sinasabing pinakamainit na pares sa larangan ng telebisyon.

"It’s work hard and friendship combined for both of us,” sabi ni Jericho. “There is joy working with people na kaihigan mo. With Kristine, it’s really fun working with her. Walang pressure kasi nga, magkaibigan kami.”

Dahil nga sila ang magka-loveteam, hindi maiiwasan na magkaroon ng pressure sa kanilang loveteam. Nariyan na umasa ang kanilang mga tagahanga na later on ay maging sweethearts na rin sila.

“Hindi mawawala 'yung gano’ng gusto ng tao. But we’re not rushing things, eh. Mas mabuti na yung ganito. Masaya kami sa set narmn. It’s hard na magtrabaho na may pressure from other people,” pahayag naman ni Kristine.

Paano ba nila ma-address ang nasabing pressure?

“Wala lang,” sambit ni Jericho. "We just do our work. Mahirap magpadala sa gano’n. What’s important is, whether there is pressure o wala, trabaho lang.”

"Mas madali sa akin na i-handle 'yun,” sabi ni Kristine. “Right now, just like Echo, trabaho rin lang. Ayoko munang i-combine ang love and work. It will come naman."

MOST IMPORTANT STARS

HOW does it feel being considered as two of the most important stars in showbiz? Heard that ABS-CBN and Star Cinema have big plans for them.

"lt feels good,” sabi ni Jericho. "As of now, I’m enjoying the projects their giving me, like Bagong Buwan, it’s a great project. Ang dami kong natutunan kay Direk Marilou (Diaz-Abaya). Plus the chance of working with Kuya Buboy (Cesar Montano). I’m so proud of this movie.”

As for Kristine, "I was told I’m set to do this and that. Pero as of now, naka-concentrate ako sa TV plus 'yung natapos ko nang movies.”

Kristine just turned 18 last September and rumors have it na sinagot na raw ng young actress si Jericho on the day of her birthday.

"Ang bilis naman!” natatawang reaksiyon ni Kristine. "Dapat masulat muna na nanligaw siya. No, we’re still the best of friends. Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin na special ako. Enough na ‘yon.”

“How I wish nga na sinagot na niya ako! Ha-ha-ha!” pagsingit ni Jericho. “No, Tin has remained the closest and most special girl in my life now. She will always be special.”

Hindi kaya nililihim lang nila ang tunay nilang relasyon dahil sa takot na magalit ang mga magulang ni Kristine na istrikto raw?

“No. Even her parents are aware of what’s happening to us. Alam nila na best friends kami ni Tin. I want to establish 'yung magandang tiwala nila sa akin. Hindi ako gagawa ng bagay na magagalit sila. Al-though, honest, she is an inspiration. She is very special,” pag-amin ni Jericho.

Does Kristine feel the same for Jericho?

“Oo naman, Echo is special. Araw-araw mo ha namang kasama sa work, siyempre, there will be something special na magbu-brew. Pero hanggang special friends lang muna,” Kristine says.

Whether friends or lovers, Jericho and Kristine’s “love affair” continues as they star in a movie together for the first time, Trip, with Marvin Agustin and Onemig Bondoc.