Amid Bea Alonzo's heartbreak over her controversial breakup with Gerald Anderson, Enchong Dee, who is Bea’s close friend and travel buddy, says that the ABS-CBN actress is doing fine.
"She's okay. She doesn't need comforting. She's a strong girl," disclosed the Kapamilya actor in a recent interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
Enchong and Bea have worked with each other in several projects such as Magkaribal (2010), Sa ‘Yo Lamang (2010), A Love to Last (2017), and the blockbuster movie Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013).
Six years after their film premiered on the big screen, the Salazar siblings’ movie punch lines are still making waves online.
Netizens have been posting and sharing memes in various social media platforms even up to this day.
Enchong said with a smile, "Ang masasabi ko lang, napakataba ng utak ng mga Pilipino! Yun lang yon but thank you, thank you very much for always putting us [Four Sisters and a Wedding cast] there...making us present online.”
PEP.ph had the chance to interview Enchong during the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2019 Grand Fancon held at the SMX Convention Center.
Enchong is a cast member of the movie Circa, one of the entries of PPP 2019.
Circa is about Doña Atang (Anita Linda), a once celebrated film producer who wants to mark her 100th birthday with a milestone event. For her wish, she wants a reunion with all the actors and staff that she has worked with in the past.
Veteran actors Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Jaclyn Jose, Elizabeth Oropesa, and Ricky Davao also top-bill this movie directed by Adolfo Alix Jr.
The late Eddie Garcia also has a special participation in the film.
Enchong described his character by saying, "She [Anita Linda] is my grandma sa pelikula. She's also like the mother of Philippine cinema. It's more of giving tribute to Philippine cinema.
"Ang pelikula namin gives honor to the people who worked for Philippine cinema for the past 100 years and the changes that we encountered in doing films and receiving films."
Enchong considers this project as an answered prayer.
“Noong nagdadasal ako ng panibagong trabaho sa Panginoon, di ko akalain na
ibibigay niya sa 'kin yung project na binigay ni Direk Adolf.
“Imagine mo, nakasama ko si Anita Linda, Gina Alajar, Jaclyn Jose, Ricky Davao, Elizabeth Oropesa parang lahat magagaling, Laurice Guillen, so sabi ko, 'Wow! Sobra kong swerte.'"
To prepare for this movie, the Kapamilya actor relied on Direk Adolf.
“Basically, kailangan ko ng tulong ni Direk [Adolf] kasi mas kumbaga lahat ng nakasama ko doon mas madalas niyang nakakasama so he would guide me all throughout the shoot of the movie.”
Circa is one of the entries of the 2019 Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino. No Hollywood or foreign films will be screened in cinemas nationwide from September 13 to 19 to make way for the PPP 2019 entries.
ENCHONG THE BUSINESSMAN
The 30-year-old actor is currently spending his time managing several businesses.
Aside from being the brand ambassador of a restaurant chain, he is also busy handling a real estate company and running a billboard business.
He is also preparing to launch a music school as his new business venture.
WHY ENCHONG TURNED DOWN PROJECTS IN THE PAST
Enchong is currently working on movie that will be submitted for consideration to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival.
Given all his endeavors, how does he manage his time?
He explained during his PEP Live Interview held recently, "It goes hand in hand. Now that I'm not doing a TV series, mas marami akong oras para bigyan ng pansin ang mga negosyo. Pero it's adjustable. Ang lahat naman ng negosyo ko, hindi naman ako yung nagta-trabaho, except for the school. I'm really focused on that.
"You're part of the decision making and you're a signatory also. It goes hand in hand. Kapag dumating naman ang teleserye, I'll take a backseat from this one."
Did he turn down any projects in the past?
Enchong admitted, "May mangilan-ngilan. But it wasn't because of my schedule as a businessman.
"It was more of a career planning decision na, 'Okay, I can't take this particular role because I'm waiting for this one. 'I can't take this particular movie because I'm looking forward to this bigger movie.'
"I'm fortunate because now I have the freedom, I have the luxury to turn down nicely."
The 30-year-old actor recalled, "Siyempre, nung bata ka, kailangan tanggapin mo lahat, di ba? But now, you get to choose."
Will he be doing a TV project soon? It has been a year since Enchong was last seen in the Kapamilya teleserye The Blood Sisters.
"After this movie [Circa], we're waiting for the other movie if we will be part of the Metro Manila Film Fest.
"May mga nagpe-present rin ng movie na I'm excited to do. Kasi pag pelikula, there's a certain fulfillment kapag pelikula ang ginagawa mo.
"Kapag pelikula, food for the soul, food for the artist's soul."
Enchong then quipped, "Pag teleserye naman, umuulan ng pera! Joke lang! Totoo naman!"
The ABS-CBN actor admitted that he is still waiting for the "right" teleserye for him.
Has he ever considered acting for theater?
"Yes, pero kailangan in Filipino," answered Enchong. "Ayoko muna mag-English kasi I don't want to be hypocritical about it.
"Kasi hindi ko first language ang English. So parang feeling ko, I'll focus on Filipino first."
Enchong Dee had the chance to work with veteran actress Anita Linda in the PPP 2019 entry Circa.