The directors of GMA-7’s Pinoy adaptation of Start-Up have only good words to say about Bea Alonzo and Alden Richards, who are teaming up for the first time in the series.
It also serves as Bea’s first Kapuso project after signing up with GMA-7 in 2021.
Two veteran directors are helming the project: former ABS-CBN director Jerry Lopez Sineneng and homegrown Kapuso director Dominic Zapata.
Both directors are also working for the first time with each of them: Direk Dom for Bea and Direk Jerry for Alden.
And how was Direk Dom's experience working with Bea?
He replied, “Hindi rin naman ako yung kinabahan kasi I’ve always heard good things about her.
“But personally, this was what happened, pagka-taping namin, maaga siyang natapos, mga early evening siguro, pumunta ako sa standby area.
“Sabi ko, ‘Bea, thank you, kasi totoo lahat ng narinig ko, totoo yung tsismis.’”
What was the “tsismis?”
Direk Dom continued, “Mahusay, magaling, professional, at saka mabait sa mga tao.
“Sa akin, okay ako doon, e. Yung ganda, given yun, e. Maganda. Ang daling kunan, wala kang poproblemahin.
“Pero yung iba na yun, I think that’s what sets her apart at nahigitan niya yung expectations ko.”
According to Direk Dom, Bea always comes to the set prepared.
“That’s exactly what I said, sabi ko, ‘You exceeded my expectations and I already set the bar really high, mataas ang expectations ko.’
“I love it that when she arrives on the set, hindi lang niya alam yung lines niya, alam niya yung nangyayari doon sa buong istorya, binasa niya yung buong script, alam niya nangyayari sa istorya ng ibang characters.
“That’s the mark of not only a consummate professional, pero someone who’s a veteran na ang bata pa niya, pero veteran na siya, ang dami na niyang alam.”
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) spoke to Direk Dominic and Direk Jerry during a Zoom interview with other media on June 21, 2022.
DIREK JERRY ON ALDEN
Meanwhile, Direk Jerry was impressed by Alden's performance in the Star Cinema movie Hello, Love, Goodbye.
He also heard positive comments about Alden's work attitude.
Direk Jerry recalled, “Ito mga reactions nila: magaling si Alden, mabait, very professional, masaya, magaan katrabaho.
“At alam mo, yung naranasan ko, walang kulang kahit isa sa limang yun.
“Si Alden is so gaan to work with, he’s very professional, he comes to the set already knowing his lines ‘tapos hindi ko alam, e. May magic si Alden, napapasaya niya yung set.
“Napapagaan niya kahit mabibigat yung eksena, kahit malalaki yung eksena, kahit lupaypay na kayo sa pagod.”
Alden’s good sense of humor and positivity made a mark on Direk Jerry.
“Kasi, di ba, alam niyo naman 12 to 14 hours lang tayo ina-allow so sunud-sunod yung tirahan ng eksena.
“Pero kapag siya yung part ng scene, kapag isa sa part ng scene, somehow, gumagaan. Mabiro kasi si Alden in a positive way.
“So, napatunayan ko sa sarili ko na lahat ng kwinento sa akin ng nakatrabaho niya sa Star Cinema ay totoo.
“Napakasarap niya katrabaho, I hope this won’t be the last. Lalo ako naging fan ni Alden.”
In the Philippine adaptation, Bea will portray the role of Bae Suzy while Alden will play Kim Seon Ho’s role as Goodboy.
Also included in the lead cast are Jeric Gonzales as the character played by Nam Joo Hyuk and Yasmien Kurdi as Kang Han Na’s character.
GMA-7 has yet to announce the airing date of Start-Up.