Alden Richards says his character Christian is like "Superman" in Tween Academy: Class of 2012. His role is captain of the basketball team, the all-around good guy and heartthrob in the school. Christian doesn't like seeing other kids in his school being bullied.

When asked to describe his similarities with Christian, Alden pointed out: "Since nag-start ako ng show business, the roles that have been given me, nagtra-transform now and again. Si Christian speaks more of Alden's character in real life. Less lang yung sa heartthrob and sa pagiging Superman."

He says that the characters he and his co-actors play in Tween Academy reflect how they are in real life. "Parang hindi kami nahirapan mag-adjust sa role, ang sarap gumawa ng pelikula, na feeling mo yung buhay mo nilagay doon sa pelikula."

Alden wasn't a heartthrob back home, says he, when he was studyibng in Laguna. If you look at him now, that's quite hard to believe. He says of his friends, "Lagi nila ako pinagtatawanan, pag nakita nila ako sa TV. Lalo na doon sa first project ko sa Alakdana. Kahit naman ako, kung may nag-artista sa classmate ko, tatawanan ko rin."

He can't pinpoint any specific scene in Tween Academy as the most difficult, except for the dubbing. He explains, "It's really difficult, mas mahirap pa kaysa gumawa ng eksena. Yung buka ng bibig, gestures before saying your line, yung mga nuances, lahat. Pati hinga, kailangan you have to synchronize sa pinakaginawa mo sa scene.

"We were told, 'Watch the whole film, try to remember the emotions and atmosphere.' You have to really focus and imagine you were back in the scene, para the feelings and emotions come out. If you just do dubbing without any concentration or focus, walang dating eh."

Now that Alden has tried acting in both TV and movies, the tween actor shared his observations about working in both fields.

"What I appreciate is yung mga tao na nakatrabaho ko. Kahit bago ako, they don't treat me like somebody else. I really treasure the moments I have with them. Sa Tween Academy, ang lakas ng bond from director to staff to cast, kahit sa utility. Kahit ulit-ulitin pa namin, willing ang tweens. Sobrang nag-enjoy kami, all the hard work paid off, sobrang lakas ng support ng fans, so very thankful ako."

Through this whole process, Alden developed deep friendship with Kristoffer Martin and Derrick Monasterio. "Akala ko dati when we started, siyempre may feeling of intimidation ako. Lahat sila, established na. Yung feeling ko noon, 'sino ka ba para pumasok sa isang tween movie?' Yung ganoon at makipag-close-closan sa kanila."

Alden says it was his transparency that drew them together. "Yung nakikita nila sa 'yo na natural, yung ang mag-manifest at doon ka nila gugustuhin. Hindi sa kung ano man fake personality or attitude just to fit in. Just be yourself."

BEING PART OF PANDAY 2. As everyone knows, Alden is now part of Panday 2 after replacing Aljur Abrenica. (CLICK HERE to read related article)

The newcomer narrates the work for this Metro Manila Film Fest entry:  "We're almost done shooting. We had to bank so many scenes para editing has time to really work on the details and make it effective. Doon, ibang-iba, I had to wear costumes. Yung role ko doon is more may typical na dragon tribe, na may gusto kay Marian [Rivera]. I won't reveal too much info na," he says, flashing his bedimpled smile.

"I'm really proud na naging part ako doon, yung mga kasama ko doon hindi biro, Senator Bong Revilla, Marian Rivera, Eddie Garcia, Kris Bernal, Rhian Ramos, sobrang daming big stars."

"Three years ago, nanood lang ako ng parade ng MMFF sa Manila Bay, ngayon, sasakay na ako sa float!"