'I was very immature then'

ERICH GONZALES was only 14 years old when she was crowned Grand Questor of the second season of ABS-CBN's talent search Star Circle National Teen Quest. It's been three years since then and according to Erich, she's a different person now than she was before.

By Aprylle Liabres (Contributor)

Published: Tue 5 Feb 2008, 10:53 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 2:54 PM

"I was very immature then," recalled Erich at the press conference for Muntik Na Kitang Minahal, an episode of Your Song in which she plays a young woman who falls in love with a friend, without knowing that her friend is carrying on with an older woman who just happens to be her boss. The Your Song episode, directed by Ruel Bayani, will run for four consecutive Sundays. It is Erich's biggest break since starring in Calla Lily and Sana Maulit Muli.

"I was very immature when I started. I was so naïve and I didn't know anything about showbiz. Now, I know how to handle things."

What helped, says Erich, was being given the opportunity to meet and work with different types of people, including veteran actors and actresses who've served as career models for her. Thanks to them, Erich has slowly improved her craft and become a better actress despite only being 17 years old. "It's been incredible, working with stars that before, I only used to watch on television, like Vilma Santos (with whom she starred in an episode of the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya)."

When she first encountered Vilma Santos on the set, Erich couldn't help being nervous. "It was so embarrassing, because when I saw her, I blurted out, "Oh my God, is that her?' But she was very nice, aside from being very pretty. She immediately put me at ease by telling me there was no reason to be nervous. Working with her was really a very fulfilling experience," says Erich.

A big fan of Vilma, Erich says the things she learned are helping her now, especially when she has to do dramatic roles like the one she plays in Muntik Na Kitang Minahal.