On February 16, Kapamilya star Anthony Jennings recounted his showbiz beginnings from modeling to having a go-see audition with Johnny Manahan.
During the media event for Star Magic artists at the Limbaga 77 Cafe in Quezon City, Jennings narrated how he started his showbiz career from modeling and glazed over his past as young fisherman with his grandfather.
“Before noong nag-start ako sa showbiz, commercial ‘yung ginagawa ko eh. Pero kung gusto ninyong malaman pa ‘yung before pa mag-commercial sige. Dati simple lang ako. Nangingisda lang kami ng lolo ko sa probinsya.
“Medyo nalito lang ata si Mr. M sa interview niya na kaya sinabi niya na nagkakargador daw ako. Sabi ko, parang hindi ako ‘yun. Siyempre marami ng artista si Mr. M so ‘yun, nangingisda kami ng lolo ko before.”
Admittedly, he did not have plans to enter showbiz.
“Wala talaga sa plano ko ang mag-showbiz eh. Pero, nanood na ako ng mga action films, sabi ko, parang gusto kong maging action star, komedyante rin naman.”
However, he became interested in acting, which led him to get discovered during his workshops.
“Pero after noon, nag-commercial ako, nagtry ako mag-workshop-workshop for dance, singing, acting pala talaga ako. Wala pala talaga ako doon. Pero, ayun nag-workshop ako, na-discover ni Mama Joy, na-discover niya ‘yung isang commercial ko. So ayun, napahanap ako.”
He then detailed his first go-see audition with former Star Magic Head Johnny Manahan and current Star Magic lead Laurenti Dyogi.
“Akala ko, pero ‘yun nag-start ako doon sa go-see. Si Mr. M pa ‘yun siyempre nandoon pa si Direk Lauren. Si Mr. M noong nag-discover sa akin, sabi niya, ‘Ngiti ka nga.’ So ngumiti ako, sabi niya sa baba. Sabi niya, ‘Ah, maangas ‘to. Sige pasok ka na.’ Tapos pumasok na.
“Ganon lang ‘yung interaction namin, tapos nagtagal siya. Nagworkshop ako doon. Kasabay ko sila doon.”
As for his most recent project, their series, Can’t Buy Me Love, features Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano.
The series also includes Kapamilya cast members Anthony Jennings, Maris Racal, Kaila Estrada, Albie Casiño, Joao Constancia, and many more.
Can’t Buy Me Love streams three days ahead of its free TV airing via Netflix. Viewers can watch its regular airing via Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Jeepney TV, TFC, A2Z, and TV5 for free TV platforms.