Matthias Rhoads and Jerald Napoles (Photos by Edd Buenaviaje)
IT MAY be their first time to play lead roles on TV, much more to be paired with GMA’s Primetime Queen Marian Rivera-Dantes, but newest Kapuso heartthrob Matthias Rhoads and theater actor-comedian Jerald Napoles are ready to carve their names in the entertainment scene.
While fans eagerly awaited Marian’s return to primetime after a three-year absence, her leading men also readied themselves for the rare chance to share the spotlight with her.
During an interview with the Cebu press at the Rafle Gourmet in Casals Village, Mabaolo, Cebu City, both Matthias and Jerald shared their
experiences about being Marian’s newest leading men in GMA’s primetime offering, “Super Ma’am.”
Both of them said they felt lucky to have been chosen by GMA to be part of the cast of the series, which features as a teacher who transforms into a
superhero.
“I felt pressured and stunned when I look at her (Marian) because she’s not only beautiful but she also acts great,” said Matthias. “And a great mentor too,” he added.
Matthias said with a laugh that he would usually overact during some of the intense scenes.
“I cannot help it when I’m in character, but Marian kept me cool and grounded during most of the emotional scenes,” said Matthias.
Matthias was first noticed when he appeared as the groom in the Jollibee commercial titled “Vow” and was then cast as one of the Jeya Boys in the primetime series, “Meant to Be.”
The model-turned-actor, who has been in the Philippines for just a year, knows he has a lot of catching up to do, especially when it comes to speaking Tagalog.
“I know my Tagalog is not perfect yet, but I’m being mentored right now so I can be fluent with my Tagalog,” said Matthias.
Jerald, for his part, revealed that Matthias has combined his love for singing and eating and has composed a rap about adobo and chicharon. He then urged Matthias to sing part of the song, to which Matthias gamely obliged—to everyone’s delight.
BASHED POST
Matthias turned serious when asked about the bashing he got after posting a photo of him and Marian with a caption: “Sobrang saya at suwerte to be the leading man of this super sweet lady. Hindi lang super ganda, super talented actress pa siya at magaling na chef! Be wary of our powerful combination, we are both August 12 Leo signs!”
“That was an interesting time, because the first time I went viral was because of a TV commercial and I posted that photo to promote the series and here come these people who I don’t really know,” said Matthias.
He said he did not mean anything malicious.
“I did not react to them (bashers) and just kept strong. Marian was also there to help me out and told me not to pay attention to it,” he added.
Jerald immediately turned the mood lighter when he told that Matthias that he was not the only one who experienced being bashed and joked that even Marian’s husband, Dingdong Dantes told him to back off after learning that he will be paired with his wife.
“Oo! Sinabihan nga ako na lumayo-layo ka sa asawa ko, dahil ang gwapo ko daw,” said Jerald, with a laugh.
He also revealed that his good friend and “Sunday PinaSaya” co-host Alden Richards also told him he was happy that Jerald got the role.
Jerald, who began as a theater actor told that he has always been a fan of Marian and is more than honored to be her leading man.
“Nagpapasalamat ako na nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na ipakita kung ano ang kaya naming gawin,” said Jerald.
Sought for comment about his newlyminted leading man status, Jerald said: “Ako po ‘yung hopeless romantic na underdog na Pinoy na kumakatawan sa hugot pero ‘yung pag-arte, hindi lang as a leading man, superhero, o kontrabida. Character-driven sya.”
In “Super Ma’am,” Jerald plays Esteban, the talkative janitor who works at the same school as Minerva Henerala, played my Marian Rivera-Dantes.
Matthias portrays the American archeologist and writer named Trevor Jones.
Also starring in the series are Helen Gamboa, Joyce Ching, Kristoffer Martin, Kevin Santos, Jackie Lou Blanco, Meg Imperial, Jillian Ward, Al Tantay and Dina Bonnevie.
“Super Ma’am” airs weekday nights after “24 Oras.”