JEROME AND I

Jerome Ponce

I remember it was July 13 when I, and the rest of the televiewing nation, first saw Jerome Ponce on Be Careful With My Heart. Literal na napatigil ako for a minute. I even tweeted, “Sino itong si Sir Luke?” The guy is cute; he reminded me so much of Mario Maurer. Someone tweeted back, he is Jerome Perez. May isa naman akong friend, ang sabi, siya si Jerome Porciuncula na isang SK Chairman sa Manila. Until, after an hour yata, I finally found out his screen name – Jerome Ponce.

My tweet almost a year ago, asking then who Jerome was.

I grew curious on this guy, who in real life is Joseph Jerome Porciuncula. Aside sa good looks, I thought he is a natural, promising actor. I always saw to it to watch him on BCWMH before going to work. But our first meeting happened so much later pa… I’ve always wanted to meet “Sir Luke”, pero walang chance. Hindi siya nag-a-ASAP. Bihira ang guestings niya. Inggit pa ako sa headwriter ko noon kasi na-late ako sa meeting, e dumaan pala sa TV Prod office si “Sir Luke”. Nakapagpa-pic siya. Ako, waley.

Pero sa ‘di sinasadyang pagkakataon, isang araw ng September last year, when I dropped by Kris TV taping to see Julian Mauricio (from Star Studio)and Kit Thompson, nakita ko si Jerome Ponce. Guest din pala siya. Swear, na-starstruck ako! Sa isip ko, “mas gwapo siya in person.” I asked for a photo with him, agad-agad. I thought, after he obliged cheerfully, “ang bait niya!” E that time, magkakilala na sila ni Julian, and kami rin ni Julian friends na. So after that Kris TV, nasundan pa ang mga pagkikita namin. I started getting to know him on the surface.

But it was on his ASAP guesting, sometime in October, that changed everything. Wala siyang kasama nun, and that time, I visited Khalil who he was sharing the dressing room with. We were thrown into a conversation suddenly, talking about our respective shows (umeere pa ang Princess And I then). There, I realized, this guy has substance! Jerome talked no-nonsense. He knew what he was talking about. He asked questions. Matalino siya. I was really impressed. Siyempre, it helped na ang ganda pa niya ngumiti. (Hihi. Peace, Je!)

My first picture with Jerome. 

From then on, nagtuluy-tuloy na. Everytime nasa ABS-CBN siya, I would try to see him. We would talk, catching up. Naging close pa siya kay Marco Gumabao, who happens to be one of my closest friends (more on this sa “Marco And I”, soon), so lumiit talaga in a way ang mga mundo namin ni Jerome. And as days and months passed by, I am becoming a big fan of his work, and a supporter who tries to be always there for him, when needed.

I always say this: I can see a leading man in Je, as I fondly call him. Given the right material, he can be the next Jericho Rosales or Coco Martin. He has that potential, acting-wise. Marami kang pwedeng ihugot sa kanyang emosyon.  And his eyes are so expressive. Magaling din siyang sumayaw, at kumanta. Konting push pa through workshops and practice, kaya niyang makipagsabayan. And the good thing is, slowly he is getting out of that “Mario Maurer” look alike tag. He is making a name of his own now as Sir Luke and/or Jerome Ponce.

As a person, I want to describe him as “matured beyond his years”. At 18. We never really talk much about his family or other personal stuff. But you can sense the “longing”. Kaya everytime he talks, or gives advices, he sounds so mature. Sa dami na rin ng pinagdaanan niya, I guess. May matututunan ka from him. At napaka-sincere siya. Hindi siya magpapaka-plastik. He means what he says. Hindi siya ma-sugarcoat. Pero kapag yan naman sobrang ganda ng mood, ibang klase mangulit at maglambing. Mahihirapan kang mag-NO diyan, kasi napaka-lambing at sweet.

He’s also a good leader. Been hearing stories of how he is as SK Chairman sa barangay nila. Kahit busy, naaayos pa rin niya. And I think may plans pa siya before his term ends this year. At least, eexit siya sa pwesto with flying colors. I would always go back to his campaign slogan then: “ABU – Ako ang Batang ang pangarap ay Umunlad ang Lungsod ng Maynila”. (Abu, by the way, is Jerome’s nickname). Kulang ang 3 years for that dream. But at least now, he made the people not just of Manila, but more importantly Filipinos all over the world, so happy with his inspired performance in BCWMH. Luke Lim has become the face of an ideal Filipino son – responsible, loving, sensitive, imperfect, yet he rises every after fall.

Backstage of ASAP 18 sometime in April.

Mabait si Jerome Ponce. He worked, and is working his way up to where he is now. Hindi naman siya nagpanggap sa mga interviews na, he lives a beautiful life. Sabi nga niya, “uhaw sa pamilya. Uhaw sa pamilya.” And he needs people who “will understand him.” He’s not perfect, definitely. But he’s real. Pero kapag nakuha mo ang tiwala niya, at ang friendship, ibang klase yang si Jejerome (pauso ko, wala lang)! Kasi you found a friend who will be there for you in ways he can, and knows how.  And an appreciative one.

He has grand dreams for himself, and for the people he loves. Kaya napaka-hardworking niyan, which I admire most about him! Magaling yan mag-ipon! Kaya I’m really hoping na after “Be Careful With My Heart” ay marami pang proyektong dumating for him. I’ve been very vocal nga na, gusto ko siya makatrabaho one day. He deserves all the breaks.

The story of “Jerome And I” is still in progress. There’s still more to know about, and learn from this young man. Napamahal na sa akin ang batang ito like my own brother, or, sige na, anak. But for now, as I close this, I can’t help but be proud to see the rise of a promising star, towards becoming the next important of his generation. When I write a second part of this in time, I’m sure it will be filled with more achievements of him, and hopefully, more wonderful memories shared, worth keeping for the rest of my life.