This year is turning out to be one of the busiest in Gerald Anderson’s two decade-long career in showbiz. Apart from managing his multiple businesses, the 36-year-old actor just finished the series Sins of the Father. Last December 1, he also officially kicked off his Metro Manila Film Festival entry Rekonek, where he makes his debut as a film producer for the first time.
“Ba’t ko naisip? Kasi naniniwala ako sa proyekto. Ang pinaka-importante sa akin is yung storya. You can have a beautiful cast like this but kung hindi maganda yung story mo o hindi malinaw, hindi talaga mag-wo-work. So yan yung number one ko na priority para sa akin.
"And ang favorite season ko is the Christmas season. Matagal na tayong walang Christmas movie sa MMFF and I think this year, tayo lang, Rekonek lang ang nag-iisang Christmas movie. So alam ko yung mga Pinoy, na-mi-miss din nila yung Christmas feels yung mapapanuod nila. Rekonek is the only Christmas movie. But then again, ginagamit ko rin siya as a learning experience. Kung ano matutunan ko para sa mga susunod na proyekto na gusto ko i-produce,” he shared during the Rekonek presscon held in Makati City.
In his first project with both acting and producing credits, Gerald admitted he is still trying to learn as much as he can as a producer when he is not in front of the camera. The talented actor admitted he was also involved throughout the filmmaking process, from the logistics to preparing the shooting schedule.
“You can see how beautiful the cast is. This is my first venture as a producer so more than just acting, it was an amazing learning experience para sa akin. Ngayon lang kami nagkita kita ulit. But behind the scenes, inaayos yung schedule ng bawat artista, yung promo, it was a great, stressful experience but you know, I’m always up for a challenge. 20 years na ako sa industriya. I’m always looking for something new.
"But again, maraming emotions ang mararamdaman ng audience through this movie. It’s a very relevant movie because it’s about anong mangyayari sa ating lahat pag nawalan tayo ng internet ten days before Christmas? Di ba alam natin gaano kahalaga ang internet ngayon sa buhay natin, ang wifi,” he shared.
READ: Gerald Anderson reveals his number one goal as an actor
During the presscon, the Rekonek star also revealed all the hurdles he and the entire production team had to overcome in order to produce the film. “Madaming challenges. Finance, schedule ng artista, yung shoot mismo, MMFF, kung makakapasok kami. I think out of 50 entries, walo lang a ng pipiliin. We were announced top four. So dun pa lang, malaking press na yan and malaking opportunity. So nung na-announce kami, sabi namin, ‘Tara! 100% ituloy na natin ito,’” he recalled.
READ: Gerald Anderson shares the story behind his new business, The Th3rd Floor
In this ensemble film, Gerald and the rest of the cast face the unexpected dilemma of how it would feel to live in a world without internet ten days before Christmas. For his scenes, Gerald worked closely with actress Charlie Dizon as they play the role of a couple on the verge of a breakup.
“Sa totoo lang kasi, iba ibang perspectives siya. Isang buong kuwento naman siya pero from different perspectives. Ang kasama ko talaga si Charlie, kaming dalawa. Nakasama ko si Charlie before sa A Soldier’s Heart pero may love team. Sa totoo lang, kahit ngayon lang kami nagkita kita ulit kaming lahat, hindi ko talaga sila nakatrabaho. But si Charlie yung kasama ko sa perspective namin dun sa kuwento,” he explained.
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