Happy to take on a different kind of role as one of the producers of the Christmas-themed Metro Manila Film Festival entry Rekonek, Gerald Anderson said he had absolutely no hesitation when he was asked by his mentors in the industry to join them as part of the production team this time around.
“I had no hesitation. Kilala niya ako, lagi akong sungab ng sungab. But siyempre during the process, it’s not a hesitation pero it’s like wow, ganito pala ito. But I’ve had a good experience so far. Sabay pa sa taping ko so it’s been hard. Tapos sabay pa sa Buy Bust. We’re wrapping up Buy Bust also at the same time. So medyo sabay sabay this year. This year has been a crazy year but producing has been a challenge. It’s hard. Yung mentors are yung partners ko dito, yung Reality, si Dondon Monteverde, sina Erik Matti, of course they’re mga veterans and experienced in this industry so I think I have the perfect mentors pagdating sa producing. But it’s hard. It’s anew challenge. Ang laki ng cast. So isa pa yun,” he said.
The Rekonek actor and producer revealed that the inspiration for the story of Rekonek actually came to them while they were busy shooting another upcoming project for next year. Rekonek tells the story of different Filipino families after the world loses the internet ten days before Christmas.
“Actually magkakasama kami nila sir Dondon (Monteverde), nila direk Erik Matti, nag-shu-shoot kami ng Buy Bust sa loob looban ng Zambales. Wala pong signal dun. We only had a Starlink or some internet. Tapos sa gitna ng lock-in shoot, hindi na gumagana yung Starlink. And we saw everyone, nag-pa-panic na lahat kasi hindi namin ma-contact yung mga loved ones namin sa outside world. You can physically see yung panic ng bawat isa. Dun talaga nabuo yung kuwento. It was accidental!” he recalled.
In his storyline, Gerald shares the screen with actress Charlie Dizon, who plays his girlfriend in the film. “Sa totoo lang kasi, iba ibang perspective siya. Isang buong kuwento naman siya pero from different perspectives. Ang kasama ko talaga si Charlie. Nakasama ko siya before sa A Soldier’s Heart pero ngayon lang kami nagka-eksena. Sa totoo lang, ngayon lang kami nagkita kita ulit, kaming lahat. First time namin nagbuo so hindi ko talaga sila nakakatrabaho. But si Charlie yung kasama ko dun sa perspective namin dun sa kuwento.
"Rekonek is about reconnecting with our family members, with our loved ones, with our friends. Even with our enemies. And reconnecting with yourself. I think yan ang pinaka-importante. We become so busy posting and trying to get validation from our audience. Nakakalimutan natin yung sarili natin and the people around us,” he explained.
After getting his first taste of producing a film in the MMFF this year, Gerald admitted he is now open to considering other projects during the rest of the year. “Well hindi naman kailangan na sa MMFF lang. Meron din naman tayo sa TV, sa digital, sa movies. So tingnan natin. Pero ang pinaka-focus ko ngayon is ito talaga. Ginagamit ko talaga siya as a learning experience. Lahat ng mali, lahat ng tama, ina-absorb ko,” he admitted.
Watch Gerald Anderson in the 2025 MMFF entry Rekonek which opens in cinemas nationwide starting December 25. The film also stars Carmina Villarroel, Bela Padilla, Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Zoren Legaspi, Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, and Gloria Diaz. Directed by Jade Castro and produced by Reality MM Studios, and The Th3rd Floor Studios.