Erich Gonzales thanked the fans for supporting her show Katorse, which posted a 36.7 % rating nationwide according to Taylor Nelson Sofres. The Star Magic talent also tearfully recalled her seventh birthday.
When Entertainment Live! co-host Luis Manzano asked Erich Gonzales ifshe was nervous due to the upcoming premiere of her primetime soap opera Katorsethree weeks ago, the actress answered, "parang di na nga akomakahinga ngayon, e." Since then, Katorse has been figuring strongly inboth AGB Mega Manila ratings and Taylor Nelson Sofres nationwide ratings.
Last Monday, September 7, it got a whopping 36.7 % rating nationwide. Katorseranked fourth in nationwide ratings of Taylor Nelson Sofres that day, beatingevery show in GMA's primetime block and ABS-CBN's very own Dahil May IsangIkaw. GMA-7's Darna, which ranked fifth, only got 32.3 %.
Still, Erich does not feel complacent despite the strong standing of hershow. In an Entertainment Live! interview with Toni Gonzaga yesterday,September 12, the Star Magic talent said that while she is happy and thankful,she is also nervous with the show's success.
"Napakasaya po talaga kasi napakachallenging nung role. Tapos, sobrangblessed lang talaga ako," she said. Katorse is Erich's first leadingrole since being named Star Circle National Teen Quest Grand Questor in2004. She reprises the role of Dina Bonnevie in this ABS-CBN remake.
Toni asked her, "Ngayon na nakita mo at naramdaman mo ang mainit napagtanggap ng tao sa iyong show, kinakabahan ka pa rin ba sa mag eksenangginagawa ninyo?"
"Siyempre andun pa rin yung kaba lalo na po ngayon yung sa ratings. Parangnakakapressure. Pero ang importante sa amin talaga makadeliver ng magandangshow na kapapalutan ng aral ng mga manonood," answered Erich.
What did Erich feel about the 36.7 % nationwide rating posted by Katorse lastMonday?
"Overwhelming po talaga. Kasi ako hindi ko ineexpect yun. I mean wala akongineexpect na kahit ano," she said. "Pero yung suporta po ng mga manonood, yungpagtangkilik po nila. Maraming maraming salamat po talaga. At ito,nakakainspire na pagbutihin mo lalo yung trabaho mo dahil di ba yung mgamanonood ayaw mo silang madisappoint."
Erich said the entire cast of her Katorse helps her to realisticallyportray her character. When asked how she was able to play such a daring role, Erichsaid her workshops helped her tackle the role of 14-year-old Nene. "Yung mgaco-actors ko rin, and of course yung director namin. Kasi kahit anong sabihinnya sa akin, kahit anong hinihingi sa role or sa eksena, bilang artista,syempre, tungkulin ko na gawin yun," she explained.
When Toni teased Erich's sexy outfits on the show, the young actressanswered the show has a story to offer beyond her more daring look.
"Siguro po marami pong nakakarelate sa mga nanay, yung anak, kasi sigurowake up call ito para sa mga kabataan na wag sila maging mapusok, wag masyadongmagmadali kasi baka mainlove kayo sa lalaking di naman karapat dapat mahalin."
Erich's humble beginnings also helped her understand her character. In fact,tears welled up in her eyes as she recalled her saddest birthday celebrationwhen she was just seven years old.
"Yung seventh birthday ko po kasi talagang winish ko na sana magkaroon akong cake na buo. Dahil wala kaming pera, gumawa ng paraang yung ate ko," sheshared. "Pagdating nya, ayun, [may dala siyang] isang slice ng cake. Iyun nayung pinagsalusaluhan namin, ng mama ko, ng papa ko, saka ng kuya ko."
"Yung dati, naaalala ko yung hirap ng buhay po namin. So parang in a way,nakakarelate talaga ako. Pero God is good talaga," she quickly added.
