For the first time, veteran actor Michael de Mesa and son Geoff Eigenmann are going to work together in a television series. Their upcoming project, entitled Kasalanan Ba Ang Ibigin Ka?, will air weekday afternoons beginning June 4 on GMA-7.
During the story conference held early this week at the GMA Network Center, de Mesa was asked by reporters from which parent did Geoff get his acting skills: from him or from ex-wife Gina Alajar.
“Siyempre sa akin,” he quips. “Joke lang. Pareho naman.”
Michael de Mesa has been in the industry for close to two decades now, starting his showbiz career at the age of 15. Sure, he has gained not just popularity but also respect from everyone in the industry because of his professionalism. Does he share his “trade secret” to his sons who are following in his footsteps?
“Yes. Tuwing napapanood ko siya tapos ‘pag nagkikita at nagkakausap kami binibigyan ko naman siya ng pointers.”
He feels proud that within just a short span of time, Geoff and Ryan have improved so much in their craft.
“I’m really proud of my boys: Ryan, Goeff and AJ — although si AJ hindi na niya pinagpatuloy ang pag-aartista. With Ryan and Geoff, malaking malaki ang improvement nila kasi seryoso sila e. Hindi sila pa-petiks petiks in how they treat their job. They love their work. Yun naman ang lagi kong pinapaalala sa kanila e: to be serious with their work and to love their craft. So kailangan dun naka-focus e. And I’m happy naman na ganun naman ang mga boys ko. Very serious sila sa craft nila.”
Asked if Geoff also gives him pointers in acting, “Si Geoff magbibigay ng pointers sa akin? Subukan lang niya,” jokes de Mesa.
“OK lang naman e. As an actor, I’m open. For example, kung magkaeksena kami ni Geoff, at kung meron siyang kailangan sa akin na hindi niya siguro nakukuha, then he’s free to tell me. I mean, collaboration naman ‘yan e. I won’t take it against him, hindi ko pepersonalan kasi it’s part of the job naman e.”
Not all celebrity families get a fair share of the spotlight, but for the Eigenmann’s the opportunities never cease to come by.
“We all feel very blessed. Lahat kami nagpapasalamat sa Diyos kasi binibigyan kami ng work and also dahil magkakasama kami, which also adds to the fun,” says de Mesa.
He also recalled that the only TV series where most of the Eigenmanns have worked together in was ‘Cebu.’
“Pero hindi talaga kumpleto kasi yung mga bata hindi pa sila artista noon, it was more the seniors, kami. Pero yung lahat talaga, including the younger generation wala pa.”
